Mitsubishi Polyester Film inaugurates production line in Germany

Mitsubishi Polyester Film has opened its Hostaphan polyester film line at the Wiesbaden Industrial Park, Germany. With an investment of more than €100 million (US$108 million), the line increases polyester production capacity by 27,000 tons per year.

Announced by parent company Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation in 2021, the site aims to expand that company’s global reach, which now totals five production sites in Germany, the US, Japan, Indonesia, and China. 

“During the opening ceremony, it was emphasized that with this investment, Mitsubishi Polyester Film is strengthening the Hesse location in the long term and securing and further expanding approximately 560 jobs,” says the company.

Mitsubishi Polyester Film produces polyester films for the automotive sector, electric vehicle batteries, furniture surfaces, medical applications such as transdermal patches or diagnostic strips, and security features in banknotes.

Advanced facility operations 

The facility includes a heat recovery system that is said to enable “energy-efficient” production and contribute to reducing the company’s CO2 emissions. 

“In addition, the direct use of PCR plastic derived from polyester films already in use at the customer’s site enables a seamless return to the production cycle, thereby supporting the implementation of a sustainable circular economy,” says Mitsubishi Polyester Film. 

Meanwhile, automated roll packaging and the use of robotics aim to further reduce the employee workload.

Automated factories are increasing as technology helps to remove unneeded manual labor and speed up production lines. 

At Empack 2026, automation was a core theme, with many exhibitors showcasing the latest in robotics and AI. 

Meanwhile, Unilever partnered with a South African start-up for an automated refill store, and Amazon deployed advanced automated packing technology in Europe to improve regional operations and reduce waste.