Mitsubishi Chemical – Development and Manufacture of Customized Plastic Solutions

The Mitsubishi Chemical Group is a global supplier of specialty materials. The Performance Polymers business unit focuses on the development and manufacture of customized plastic solutions and high-performance specialty polymers, and operates production facilities around the world. Expertise from the group’s research facilities and laboratories forms the foundation for the development of a comprehensive portfolio of plastic products that takes into account environmental, health, and functional considerations.

Among other products, the Mitsubishi Chemical Group offers DURABIO™, a partially bio-based, transparent engineering plastic whose main raw material is plant-derived isosorbide. In terms of impact strength, heat resistance, and weather resistance, DURABIO™ outperforms other plastics with similar properties and successfully complements Grässlin Kunststoffe’ product portfolio with yet another innovation in the plastics market. In particular, its outstanding transparency, combined with very low optical distortion, makes the product unique. DURABIO™ has proven itself in demanding applications across numerous industries and sectors. Its primary area of application is automotive manufacturing, where MIC (Mold in Color) technology is becoming increasingly prevalent. DURABIO™ has been used in series production for both interior and exterior applications for 10 years now.

Tefabloc™ TPEs offer a comprehensive range of properties. These thermoplastic elastomers have a dry-to-the-touch feel with very low hardness, good resilience at elevated temperatures and flexibility at very low temperatures, high abrasion resistance, and a soft touch. Another advantage is the soft component’s good chemical compatibility with engineering plastics, such as highly transparent plastics (PC, SAN, DURABIO™) and high-grade polyamides (PA6, PA6.6). Tefabloc™ can be used here, for example, to manufacture soft grips using either the two-component (2K) or overmolding process. To reduce dependence on fossil resources, the portfolio also includes sustainable Tefabloc™ solutions that incorporate both bio-based and recycled materials.