Sumitomo Chemical Collaborates with Nabaltec in ATH Business

Sumitomo Chemical announced on Tuesday the firm started discussions with Nabaltec, Germany headed major supplier of specialized alumina, to cooperate in alumina and aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) businesses. As the first step of the collaboration, the companies agreed in Nabaltec’s supply of fine precipitated ATH to Sumitomo Chemical and the commercial sales in Asian market, mainly in China and South Korea, starting on December 1.

ATH is used as fire retardant additive for vessels, sheathing materials for car and home appliance wiring harnesses, electronic wires, printed circuit boards or resin building materials. ATH doesn’t emit halogen gas when flamed. Demand is especially increasing for fine precipitated ATH due to its fire retardant function and low smoke producing characteristics.

Sumitomo Chemical has produced fine precipitated ATH, specialized ATH and low-soda alumina at Ehime plant in Japan, those which are applied to resin substrates, artificial marbles, luqyud crystal glasses, IC boards and automotive plugs. However, to meet the strong demand growth, the firm decided to receive ATH supply from Nabaltec whose business is mainly operated in Europe and America.