P-mates

	TSC Installs Clean Booth

Since last year, a dedicated molding machine for the cyclic polyolefin copolymer (COC) resin TOPAS® has been installed in a corner of the second molding room at TSC. This year, the machine's environs have been enveloped with the installation of a clea

n booth for molding operations. The objective is to prevent contamination of products molded from the transparent resin TOPAS®. The clean booth measures 4.8 x 6.6 x 3.5 m, and it has been designed to maintain a class 10,000 environment. When entering the clean booth, not only is dustproof clothing necessary; special caps, shoes, masks, and gloves must also be worn. In addition, one can only enter the room after taking an air shower in the dedicated entry. Entry into the room is restricted due to administration circumstances. However, the clean booth is only partitioned using transparent curtains, so one can observe operational conditions from outside. If you have the chance to visit the Fuji area, please make sure to take a look at the booth. In addition, installation of a clean room is planned in a section of the RDD building during this year for evaluation of molded products.

	Mr. Tsai's Homecoming

There is a Chinese engineer at the Technical Service Center (TSC), Mr. Hanlong Tsai.
Until last year, he undertook POM material development at the Research & Development Center (RDC), and now he is playing an active part as a molding technician for POM and PBT at TSC. He is very enthusiastic on his work, and a promising, good young man. He spent his New Year vacation with his families in China. Here, we'd like to introduce a story of his homecoming in Swatou (Shantou City, Guangdong Province).

To be with family is one of the greatest things in the world, especially for me, as an overseas, I feel a lot more appreciative. My nephew, the little boy in the photo, was born after I came to Japan. He is taking his 2nd-year course at elementary school, and he is also now able to play badminton with me when I go back. Time passed that fast. I've been in Polyplastics for 3 years and am now fulfilling my responsibility at TSC. I visit my family nearly every year to temporarily prevent from getting homesick, which always hits me at some unexpected moment. I believe that enjoying different cultures will be of help to live a happier life, so far as I'm trying to do it.

Tsai at home

Tsai at his workplace

	Welcome to POLYPLASTICS !

New Faces and Executives

Speaking of April, it is the season for new recruits at Japanese companies. Five new employees entered Polyplastics this year. They graduated from their respective universities (graduate schools) in March having completed their student days, completed their move to the research laboratory in Fuji, and journeyed to the Tokyo headquarters on April 1 for the entry ceremony. At the entrance ceremony, company president Komura addressed them with the words "We expect that all of you address your works in Polyplastics with awareness and responsibility as one of corporate members." and it appeared that self-awareness and feeling of responsibility of becoming a company employee was born afresh.

Group Discussion

The location was promptly shifted to a Tokyo hotel, and training was started. While they felt lost with the contents of the training course, which was different from what they studied at university and included appropriate manners for employees, company regulations, and the manner of proceeding with work, the feeling was that day-by-day, they became more strong-minded. After the training course, about three months of training will follow at the plant and laboratory. Study will continue in an unfamiliar environment (with welcoming parties at night?) and the hectic schedule will surely be tiring, but the new employees will do their utmost to become full-fledged active employees of Polyplastics as soon as possible, so please look over them warmly.


Mr. Takuma Ogawa. "I want to have a firm self-awareness of what it is to be a member of society and engage fully in my work."		Ms. Yoko Todaka "I will do by best to learn the ropes as early as possible!"


Mr. Hitoshi Maeda "I will try my very best in everything."		Mr.Shogo Wada "I've lived my life until today through humor. Now, I want to apply my real abilities. I will do my best in a cheerful and energetic way, and here I respectfully request your guidance."


Mr. Masaki Ohara "I want to study various things. I have some awkward points, but I will try my very best. Please support me in this respect."