TOKYO, Japan, MARCH 19, 2024 - Australia's Ansell (Melbourne), which develops personal protective equipment (PPE) for industrial and medical applications, will strengthen its development of the Japanese market. In Japan, the Industrial Safety and Health Act will be revised in April, significantly increasing the number of chemical substances subject to risk assessment. Workers will be obliged to keep exposure concentrations below standard values, increasing demand for protective equipment. We asked Augusto Accorsi, Chief Commercial Officer in charge of the Asia-Pacific region and other regions, about his strategy.
What is Ansell's business overview
"Ansell is widely recognized as the world's leading manufacturer of personal protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves and personal protective equipment for healthcare and industrial applications. We operate in more than 100 countries and in more than 35 industrial sectors and have the strength to provide new added value based on global regulatory trends and regional characteristics. Our mission is to provide safety to workers by staying two steps ahead of workplace risks. We invest heavily throughout our supply chain to promote sustainable sourcing and manufacturing, and we also visualize the carbon footprint of our products."
In Japan, the Industrial Safety and Health Act will be revised in April
"The number of chemical substances for which risk assessment is mandatory has increased significantly from 674 before the revision to approximately 2,900, with the possibility of tens of thousands of additional substances being newly classified. The way chemical substances are assessed in Japan will change significantly. Companies will have an expanded obligation to prevent occupational accidents caused by chemicals and will be legally responsible for wearing appropriate protective equipment when handling and manufacturing chemicals, and for limiting workers' exposure to chemicals.
With an estimated 15,000 chemical products being developed every day, it is crucial to identify and select the right materials and designs to choose the best protective equipment for new chemicals and mixtures. We have the expertise and resources to meet these new requirements."
What specific services do you offer?
“Our database 'Guardian Chemical Services' is a digital tool that scientifically suggests the best protective equipment for each chemical substance and application. It can also undertake individual evaluations such as expected breakthrough times and degradation assessments. We can also make use of our experience in dealing with various cases around the world as a strength.”
How do you plan to develop Japanese customers?
"We reorganized our sales organization last year to enable closer cooperation with customers and distributors. The sales departments in Japan and globally are united and can support Japanese companies in all aspects. With the Japanese economy expected to continue growing at a moderate rate of around 1% per annum, the personal protective equipment market is expected to grow by 6% per annum to reach USD 3.5 billion dollars (JPY 500 billion yen) by 2030, driven by demand in the medical sector and increased safety awareness.
In order to capture Japanese demand, we will actively introduce new polymers, additives, and fibers to develop new products. We have positioned Japan as a strategic market and will strengthen cooperation with the Japanese Government to provide optimal solutions.”
(Interviewer: Juichi Saegusa)
(The Source: THE CHEMICAL DAILY. The publication period is one year)
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