Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
Orient Corporation
Okawa Co., Ltd.

The three companies Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President Takumi Ubagai), Orient Corporation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President Katsumasa Okano; the sales agent for partitions manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics), and Okawa Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture; President Koichi Okawa) are going to launch the development of business in China in late October. Based on the transfer of the technology required for manufacturing partitions from Mitsubishi Plastics to Okawa along with permission for use of the trademark, Okawa will produce partitions at a local subsidiary established in Shanghai, and Orient Corporation will engage in sales and installation of the partitions through its Chinese subsidiary.

In China, the main type of construction for interior walls consists of the fastening of plaster board to a lightweight steel frame; it is still relatively uncommon to install interior walls by using partitions that can be easily dismantled and moved, as is done in Japan. There are nevertheless strong latent needs for partitions, which offer a short installation time, readily enable modification of layouts when offices are relocated, and curtail the derivation of waste material to the minimum. There are good prospects for a substantial rise in the demand from now on, including an increase in siting in China by Japanese firms along with the expansion of the Chinese economy. In light of these background factors, Okawa is going to initiate production of partitions at its Chinese affiliate, Okawa Wao Building Materials (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in late October, upon receiving the transfer of partition manufacturing technology and permission for use of the trademark HISHI WALL^TM (which is the trademark registered in China) from Mitsubishi Plastics. For its part, Orient will commence sales and installation of these partition products through its Chinese affiliate, Orient Corporation Beijing Co., Ltd.

There are two types of partition products involved in this business in China: a general panel type with a dual-partition (front and rear) panel structure, marked by high levels of functionality and design, and a glass type made entirely of glass materials to make interior space expansive and bright. As compared to the conventional method of fixing plaster board onto lightweight steel frames which is mainstream at present, both types offer the advantages of a shorter time required for installation and easy dismantling and moving.

Main sales targets in China for the time being will be the offices and plants of Japanese companies. Along with the spread of an office culture oriented toward use of partitions, however, a demand is projected to arise among Chinese companies as well as public facilities such as schools and hospitals. The three companies are going to work to cultivate the Chinese market, which has an immense latent demand, and promote the spread there of a culture favoring partitions, with their superior convenience and design possibilities.

* The registered trademark in Japan for partition products manufactured by Mitsubishi Plastics is “Dia Partition^TM”.
 

[Profile of the products]

Name of the products in China : HISHI WALL^TM

Types and Features : 

1. General panel type

● A dual-partition panel structure formed by linkage and fixation of two panels (front and rear) to the support, for excellent workability, functionality, and design aesthetics
● Ability to house pipes and wires between the panels, build in blinds, and have front and rear panels with mutually different designs
● Acquisition of Chinese certification for non-combustibility 

 

2. Glass type
● Connection by sealing, without use of a frame, for all-glass partitions providing a wide glass surface
● Ability for connection of glass by sealing for a length of up to 4,500 mm at maximum
● Production of expansive and bright office space with a salon flair

 

 

 

< media contact >
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation.
TEL: +81-3-6748-7140

Orient Corporation
TEL: +81-3-3523-1407

Okawa Co., Ltd.
TEL: +81-45-582-1963