Teijin’s global polyester fibre business is supported by free trade agreements, such as the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the ASEAN China Free Trade Agreement, as well as increasing cooperation within the group, including between Teijin bases in Japan and Nantong, China.

Teijin has positioned Thailand as a hub for global operations including not only polyester materials but also aramid fibre production and sales and polycarbonate resin sales, which are expected to contribute to Teijin’s global business in high-performance materials. Teijin is also expanding healthcare operations and conducting R&D into advanced medical equipment, such as artificial joints, in Thailand. Going forward, Teijin says it intends to leverage Thailand as a core ASEAN base that will create new value for global society.

The Teijin Group announced dramatic restructuring initiatives and forward-looking transformation and growth strategies in its Revised Medium-term Management Plan in November 2014. Under the plan, initiatives have included the transfer of polyester filament yarn and staple fibres production from factories in Iwakuni and Tokuyama, Japan to TPL. Also, polyester fibres production and processing have been consolidated in Thailand and Matsuyama, Japan.

The Teijin Group established a company for polyester fibres sales, imports and exports in 1966 and launched polyester fibres production and sales in 1967. Operations have continued to expand, including a second base for production and sales of polyester fibre in 1991 and rubber materials production and sales in 1996.

More recently, a subsidiary to produce highly heat-resistant and dyeable meta-aramid fibre was incorporate in September 2013 (now operating) and a tire cord factory was incorporated in June 2014. The Teijin Group currently has nine group companies and some 1,900 employees in Thailand.

The Teijin Group’s Thai operations have received several National Occupation Safety and Health Awards. Regional contributions and CSR activities have been another area of priority. For example, Teijin companies in Thailand have assisted local residents and opened its facilities as evacuation centres when floods strike. Also, TPL has sponsored the Japan Dream Football Association so called JDFA, an organisation that supports the nurture and development of young football players in Southeast Asia, since 2012.

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