Daicel Building Second Automotive Airbag Inflator Manufacturing Plant in the Americas

　Osaka Japan February 20, 2015; Daicel Corporation (“Daicel”, President and CEO; Misao Fudaba) has decided to establish its second airbag inflator manufacturing plant in Mesa, Arizona as a part of its plan to reinforce its automotive airbag inflator business in North and South America.

　The company established its first overseas operation in December 2000 with Daicel Safety Systems America, LLC (DSSA) in Beaver Dam, Kentucky which began operations in July 2002. Establishment of additional inflator manufacturing subsidiaries continued until last year in Thailand, Poland, China, and Korea. Presently, including Japan, Daicel is actively developing its worldwide operations utilizing its six global manufacturing and sales facilities.

　Daicel will accelerate its business expansion with the new facility in order to meet the increasing demand for airbag inflators in North America, the world’s largest market and the rapidly growing market in Central and South America. The new facility will be built adjacent to Special Devices Inc. (SDI) in Mesa, Arizona which Daicel acquired in 2012. SDI manufactures initiators, a key component used in the production of inflators. Production and sales is expected to start early 2016.

　At the same time, the company plans to reinforce its sales office in Detroit, Michigan, to enhance prompt response to customer needs.

＜New Facility＞
  Location　　　 　　：Mesa, Arizona, U.S.A.
  Project purpose     ：Manufacturing of automotive airbag inflator and related parts
  Production　         ：Early 2016