In 2010, Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics (MEP) Europe became the owner of XANTAR®, a DSM product line, through an acquisition. The new Japanese owner has kept the production of XANTAR®, a line of polycarbonate-based plastics, in Genk, Belgium, but has also invested in its own development and technology center at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen.
“Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics wanted to develop more activities in Europe,” explains Dr. Edwin van Hartingsveldt, research and technology manager and one of the DSM employees who joined MEP Europe after the acquisition. “The best way to do this is to have your own specialists and a production facility there. This is why the Brightlands Chemelot Campus was and still is the ideal place for this given its central location, proximity to European manufacturing activities and availability of its own facilities. MEP has chosen to collaborate with other companies and institutes at the campus such as DSM, CHILL and Intertek. These organizations possess the necessary know-how, excellent laboratories and the willingness to work together. Of course, IP protection is always an issue and open innovation is not always completely open, but we can still learn a lot from each other.”
Concept
The campus’s concept is a good one, the chemist and manager of the center continues. “This is where you meet, exchange knowledge and information, and perhaps most importantly, where you maintain contact with the outside world. A lot of people here are working on different materials and innovations. As the developer of XANTAR®, it can’t hurt to know what’s going on and how the markets work. We operate in these networks, which is important, especially if like MEP your goal is to expand your globalization efforts to Europe.”
MEP Europe outsources a lot of research. “We don’t have our own labs in Europe, but the European Technical Center plays an important role for MEP’s global R&D activities. Here in Geleen and Genk we research and test new applications for XANTAR®, a plastic that is widely used in the automotive and electronics fields. We develop new compounds and are constantly looking for material formulas for our customers that are even more resistant to heat or are stronger and lighter, for example, or that are very fire-resistant. The product line currently consists of more than 100 types, which are also produced in many different colors.”
Key customers
MEP Europe autonomously develops new polycarbonate products, often together with key customers in the automotive and electronics industries. Edwin van Hartingsveldt: “If you want to supply these customers, you have to be part of the chain, build relationships and invest. It’s harder to do this in Europe from Japan. We are producing hundreds of different types of XANTAR® in Genk that are making their way to manufacturers of cars, mobile phones, airplanes, machines, ATMs, and so on in the form of plastic granules. They are used to make so many different components, such as antennas, handles, switches and housings. It’s usually the more high-quality parts that serve a critical purpose that places higher demands on the plastic.”
Ecosystem
The Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics development and technology center also does work for other divisions of the chemical giant. “We also test other materials here that were developed in Japan to see if they offer potential for the European market. This campus’ ecosystem is suitable for these goals, just like it is for XANTAR®. It wouldn’t surprise me if even more Japanese companies decide to come here. Mitsui is a great example of this.”
Brightlands Chemelot Campus is attracting more and more foreign entrepreneurs. These are startups, but also large established multinationals from Japan for example. Following the examples set by Sekisui S-LEC and Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics, MitsuiChemicals will also come to Geleen this year with its own research center and a production facility. The three superpowers all cite the same reasons for coming to Limburg: the complete ecosystem with facilities and permits, availability of highly educated people and the central location in Europe. Our newsletter editors paid them a visit. In the comings weeks we will share their stories with you. Keep an eye on our socials for the next stories.
Read the story of SEKISUI S-LEC
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