Overview of Resin and Plastic
Resin and plastic materials are vital to a wide array of industries, offering versatility, durability, and lightweight solutions for manufacturing. These materials are used in everything from packaging and automotive components to electronics and construction. Japan’s resin and plastic industry has long been recognized for its innovation, producing high-performance materials that meet the needs of modern manufacturing. This article explores the key uses, principles, and top companies in Japan’s resin and plastic industry.
What are Resin and Plastic?
Resins are synthetic or naturally occurring substances that can be molded into various shapes. When combined with other chemicals, they form plastics, which are polymers that can be easily shaped and hardened into solid materials. Plastics are highly versatile and come in many forms, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and ABS, depending on their composition and intended use. These materials are favored for their durability, resistance to chemicals, and lightweight properties.
Uses of Resin and Plastic
Resin and plastic materials are utilized in a wide range of industries and applications:
- Automotive: Plastics are used to create lightweight, durable components in vehicles, such as bumpers, dashboards, and fuel tanks, helping to improve fuel efficiency.
- Packaging: The packaging industry relies heavily on plastic materials for bottles, containers, and films that preserve the freshness and safety of products.
- Electronics: Plastics serve as insulation and housing for electronic components, providing protection and durability for products such as smartphones, laptops, and home appliances.
- Construction: In construction, plastics are used for piping, insulation, and window frames due to their weather resistance and longevity.
- Medical Devices: The healthcare industry uses specialized resins and plastics for medical devices, packaging, and disposables such as syringes, surgical instruments, and IV tubes.
Principles of Resin and Plastic Production
The production and use of resin and plastic materials are based on several key principles:
- Moldability: Plastics can be easily molded into complex shapes through processes like injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding, allowing for mass production of parts and components.
- Chemical Resistance: Many plastics are resistant to chemicals, making them ideal for use in industries such as healthcare and food packaging, where sterilization and hygiene are crucial.
- Lightweight and Durable: Plastics offer the advantage of being both lightweight and strong, making them suitable for applications where weight reduction is important, such as in automotive and aerospace sectors.
- Recyclability: Advances in plastic recycling technologies allow for the reuse of plastic materials, helping to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability in manufacturing.
Categories of Resin and Plastic
The resin and plastic industry can be divided into several categories based on material type and application:
- Thermoplastics: These plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, can be melted and reshaped multiple times, making them ideal for recycling and molding applications.
- Thermosetting Plastics: Once hardened, thermosetting plastics like epoxy and phenolic resins cannot be remelted. They are used in applications requiring strong, heat-resistant materials.
- Engineering Plastics: High-performance plastics such as polycarbonate and PEEK are used in applications that demand high strength, durability, and resistance to heat and chemicals.
- Elastomers: These are flexible materials, such as rubber and silicone, used in products that require elasticity and resilience, such as seals, gaskets, and flexible tubing.
- Biodegradable Plastics: These plastics are designed to break down more easily in the environment, making them a sustainable option for packaging and disposable products.
Conclusion
Resin and plastic materials are indispensable to many industries, offering versatile solutions for lightweight, durable, and cost-effective products. As the demand for innovative and sustainable materials continues to grow, Japan’s top resin and plastic manufacturers remain at the forefront of material science, developing cutting-edge products that meet the challenges of modern manufacturing. With an increasing focus on recyclability and environmental sustainability, the resin and plastic industry is poised for continued growth and evolution in the coming years.
Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd. Industrial & Mobility Division
Website: https://www.sekisuikasei.com/jp/
A Global Leader in Plastic Solutions
Since its founding in 1959, Sekisui Plastics Group has been dedicated to enhancing people’s lives through innovative plastic products. With a vision to become a globally trusted plastics solution company, we continue to develop high-quality solutions that cater to various industries and applications. As part of our long-term vision, the “Sekisui Plastics Group 100-Year Vision,” we aim to build on our 50-year legacy and continue growing toward our centennial anniversary in 2059.
Business Areas
- Industrial Solutions: Automotive components, packaging materials for vehicles, industrial components, industrial packaging, electronic materials, and medical/healthcare materials
- Consumer Solutions: Agricultural and fishery materials, food packaging, distribution materials, construction materials, and civil engineering materials
Address
Odakyu Dai-ichi Seimei Building, 23F, 2-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-0727, Japan
Asahi Yukizai Corporation Resin Division, Electronic Materials Department
Website: https://www.asahi-yukizai.co.jp/electronic_materials/
Pioneers in Resin Innovation and Engineering Value
Founded in 1945 in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, Asahi Yukizai Corporation began as a manufacturer of aircraft components using wood and resin as substitutes for scarce metal materials during World War II. Since then, we have grown into a unique group with niche top products, continuously exploring the possibilities of resin and engineering value to meet our customers’ needs.
Our expertise lies in polymerization and synthetic technologies for phenolic resins. We manufacture and sell key products used in the semiconductor and liquid crystal panel manufacturing processes, such as novolac resin for i-line resists and phenol derivatives used as raw materials for photoresists. We are also actively involved in reducing metal impurities and refining materials for advanced semiconductor processes, including ArF and EUV lithography.
Business Areas
- Manufacturing and sales of novolac resin for i-line resists
- Manufacturing and sales of phenol derivatives for photoresist raw materials
- Advanced semiconductor process solutions, including ArF and EUV lithography
Address
21st Floor, Ueno Frontier Tower, 3-24-6 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Okura Industrial Co., Ltd. Business Development Department
Website: https://www.okr-ind.co.jp/
Creating New Value through Core Technologies
Since its founding in 1947, Okura Industrial Co., Ltd. has been at the forefront of synthetic resin, new materials, and construction materials. With a focus on expanding core technologies, we have developed a range of original products, including polyolefin films and wood-based construction materials. Our expertise has further evolved into the production of optical films for liquid crystal displays, serving various industries and sectors.
We pride ourselves on offering custom-made solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients, aiming to be their preferred solution partner. Whether it’s our original products or customized offerings, we strive to provide value-driven innovations.
Business Areas
- Manufacturing and sales of polyethylene and polypropylene products
- Manufacturing and sales of optical functional films
- Manufacturing and sales of particle boards, processed plywood, and other construction materials
Address
1515 Nakatsu-cho, Marugame, Kagawa 763-8508, Japan
MATE CO., LTD
Website: https://www.mate.co.jp/en/toppage/
Mate Co., Ltd. is a Japanese technology company that develops and provides “functional composite materials” by combining resins with various fillers to create new functional properties.
This approach enables the addition of unique properties to components that cannot be achieved with single materials, allowing for the production of high-performance, compact, and lightweight parts through injection and extrusion molding. Mate’s products are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive and transportation, home appliances, digital precision equipment, and the environmental and energy sectors.
Key products
Plastic magnetic materials (bonded magnets) with magnetic properties, soft magnetic materials, environmentally friendly high-density materials without lead, and other specialty composites with thermal conductivity. Mate’s material technologies support the multifunctionality and precision of products while providing sustainable material solutions that contribute to environmental protection.
Address
526-3 Saeki, Wake-cho, Wake-gun, Okayama 709-0514, Japan