Mitsui Mining & Smelting Considers New Motorcycle Catalyst Plant in ASEAN

Mitsui Mining & Smelting considers a new plant construction for motorcycle catalyst in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The firm has already operated a motorcycle catalyst plant in Thailand. The firm plans to follow the demand growth in Southeast Asia more aggressively where economic growth is expected to continue and environmental restrictions are strengthened.

Mitsui Mining & Smelting holds 40% global share of motorcycle catalyst, used to purify exhaust. The sales volume has expanded especially in India and China and almost tripled in recent 3 years since April-September 2008.

The firm assumes the demand could significantly increase in Indonesia and Vietnam in or after 2014 when exhaust controlling laws would be tightened. Mitsui Mining & Smelting examines construction of a new plant to raise regional supply capacity in ASEAN. The plant will become the Group’s fifth catalyst production site after Japan, Thailand, India and China if materialized.