Maruzen Petrochemical and Chisso merge PE production

July 7, 1997 In Japan, Maruzen Petrochemical Co. and Chisso Corp. will integrate their high-density polyethylene production later this year. The joint venture will have an output capacity of 160,000 tpy, making it the nation's fourth largest. By merging the two operations, effective streamlining should bring increased earnings.
Maruzen has an annual capacity worth 96,000 tons through its wholly owned subsidiary Maruzen Polymer Co. Chisso's capacity totals 63,000 tpy.
Most Japanese producers of the plastic have been suffering poor sales, due to tough competition on a global scale. Similar tie-ups occurred in 1995 between Showa Denko K.K. and Nippon Petrochemicals Co. and last year between Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. and Tonen Chemical Corp.