The growing presence of Asian automakers and suppliers in Georgia and the efficient infrastructure in Griffin were among the factors that led two Japanese chemical companies to form a joint venture in the state, Teruhiko Doi, the joint venture’s president, said in a press release.

Sumika Polymer Compounds America Inc. is comprised of parent companies Tokyo-based Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. and Toyo Ink Group, a consortium of international chemical companies headed by Tokyo-based Toyo Ink Mfg. Co. Ltd.  The venture will create 50 jobs in its 90,000-square-foot polypropylene compound manufacturing facility that looks to be operational in early 2009. 

Sumika’s plant will be located on a 30-acre site in Griffin and will provide plastic parts for the automobile industry, which has been bolstered in Georgia since Kia Motors Co. began building its $1.2 billion plant in West Point.

The joint venture will allow both chemical companies involved to increase their plastics portfolios and diversify their international profiles, officials said.

“This project in Griffin is a vital step for the global expansion of our plastics business, not only for the joint venture itself, but also for the parent companies,” Mr. Doi said.

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue announced the joint venture project in Tokyo, where he participated in the annual SEUS-Japan conference as a part of a broader East Asia mission that took him to Korea to meet with several Kia suppliers who have committed to or are considering basing operations in Georgia.

“The strength of Georgia’s automotive industry and our valuable economic partnership with Japan made this project possible,” said Mr. Perdue, who returned to Georgia Oct. 19. 

Sumitomo Chemical includes 100 companies operating around the world, while the Toyo Ink Group consists of 26 companies in Japan and 47 companies from 16 countries worldwide. 

To find out more about the developments on the trip, visit www.stateofgeorgiamissions.com.