In May 2010, Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; president: Hiroshi Yoshida) will launch sales of ALPOLIC™/fr AD aluminum/plastic multilayer sheets in response to today's increased awareness of the need for fire safety. ALPOLIC™/fr AD has been certified as non-flammable by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism when adhered to designated digital printing adhesive sheets as a surface-finishing material.

ALPOLIC™ is a composite material consisting of a polyethylene core sandwiched by two aluminum plates. Its excellent flatness and ease of handling for processing and construction make it widely used worldwide as a construction material and for other industrial materials, as a backing for digital-printing adhesive sheets for billboards (signs), and in other applications. Another product in this series, ALPOLIC™/fr, has aluminum hydroxide added to the core. This gives it strong fire-proofing performance, making it widely used worldwide for such applications as building interiors/exteriors and signs.

Conventionally, separate materials used for the backing and surface finish of billboards (signs), each being separately certified as non-flammable. There has been a recent upsurge, however, in awareness of the need for fire safety in buildings; for example, the Wall Coverings Association of Japan (WACOA) has included the following statement in its voluntary management standards: "It is necessary to assess the appropriateness of a non-flammable material where surface finish material is stuck on a base panel."

The newly developed ALPOLIC™/fr AD is a new grade of ALPOLIC™/fr. ALPOLIC™/fr AD promptly corresponds to the heightened awareness of fire safety using composite materials; in partnership with a major film manufacturer, it has been certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as non-flammable when adhered to adhesive sheets for digital printing. Because it also passes the criteria of WACOA, it can be used trouble-free in advertisements, interiors, and exteriors in areas where fire-prevention performance is required.

MPI will actively promote ALPOLIC™/fr AD to businesses operating nationwide chains, including sign makers, auto dealers, and restaurants, as a safer material for sign backing, interiors, and exteriors. It aims to reach net sales of ¥500 million this fiscal year.

■Inquires regarding this material should be directed to the
	Public Relations Section, General Administration Dept., Mitsubishi Plastics Inc. TEL: +81-3-3279-3800