The changes in Japan, spurred in part by the virtual stagnation of the country’s economy in recent years, could see the formation of Asia’s largest player in the the PU business - in fact the largest player in the region’s chemicals industry. Mitsui Chemicals Inc. and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd are planning to consolidate their businesses by October 2003.

At the same time, one major raw material unit has come on stream in Singapore and, almost before the welds on this unit had cooled, a second such unit was announced.

These moves signal one thing: growth in Asia is continuing to attract attention from the leading global players in the polyurethane business, all eager to gain their share of what could become the single largest economic region in the world. Already the region accounts for about a quarter of the world's usage of PU raw materials, and growth is continuing, despite a slow start to the present year. Once China has access to major amounts of locally made polyurethane building blocks, the country's business seems set for even more rapid growth than seen over the past decade.

China's polyurethane industry continues to lead growth in the region, taking the country to top spot in the Asia-Pacific region. Although most attention has been focused on the investment plans of the major global companies in China, local raw material makers are now also formulating plans to invest further in their own activities.


Two fairs in one

UTECH Asia 2002, scheduled for 16 - 18 April in Shenzhen, will incorporate PU China 2002 for the very first time, making this the most important meeting planned for the polyurethane industry in 2002 anywhere in the world.

Traditionally the two events UTECH Asia and PU China take place every three and two years respectively, but occasionally they clash in the same year. As is the case in 2002.

UTECH Asia 2002 incorporating PU China will create an event that will attract the world’s leading players in the global polyurethane industries to Shenzhen in China. This combined event will not be repeated again until 2008 even though the UTECH Asia and PU China shows will take place independently during the intervening years.

The new-style UTECH Asia 2002 will provide the ideal marketing situation by bringing the greatest number of potential customers from one area to one place at one time. The main goal is to attract visitors from companies based throughout the Asian region: from China, of course, but also from Korea and Japan in the north, India and Pakistan to the west, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in the centre, as well as the Philippines and Taiwan in the east. Polyurethane specialists in Australia and New Zealand in the south are also expected to visit this major event. Finally, UTECH Asia 2002 will be structured so as to attract visitors and delegates from all parts of the world wanting to learn how to develop business with firms from the Asia-Pacific region, including China.

Undoubtedly, UTECH Asia 2002 fills a niche market position, aim at attracting the senior decision-makers actively involved in the regions polyurethanes industries. No other event in the area can offer a better opportunity for suppliers of raw materials and processing equipment for specialist PU manufacturers to exhibit their latest advances in design, technology and application. Participating at UTECH Asia 2002 will allow exhibitors to discuss yesterday's experiences, today's possibilities and tomorrow's challenges with a discerning audience. With qualified people willing to buy, and who need to grow; with people eager to turn contacts into contracts.

BENEFIT FROM OUR EXPERIENCE

Participation will also give you access the valuable benefits of a partnership with the organisers and creators of the UTECH concept: Industrial Promotions International Pte Ltd, Singapore, and Crain Communications Ltd, London, UK. This combination of experience and powerful support will ensure the UTECH Asia 2002 event will offer the highest standard of quality assistance, while meticulous attention to detail will be on hand in preparing and implementing your participation. Our staff takes care of the myriad of exhibiting details, large and small, leaving you completely free to focus on welcoming your customers, both old and new, and to discussing business opportunities without distraction. They will guide you every step of the way.


COMBINED FORCES

In addition to IPI and Crain Communications, the partners in the previous PU China events - MinMetals Composites Group, headquartered in Beijing, PRC, and the Chinese Polyurethane Industry Association based in Liming, PRC - will combine forces to help create the biggest PU-event ever held in the Asia Pacific region.


PROMOTIONAL POWER

We have already begun and will continue to promote the exhibition through a major public relations and advertising campaign, spearheaded by trade magazines Urethanes Technology both its English and Chinese Mandarin issues and Plastics and Rubber Asia. Both these publications have been given the status of official journal for UTECH Asia 2002. In addition we will promote the show directly into the heart of the polyurethane industry in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure we attract the right executives. Several thousand personal invitations will be sent out in the area, so you can rest assured that you will meet high-profile visitors. They will include technical and commercial specialists from the automotive industry, general engineering, aerospace, furnishing & bedding, building & construction, electrical/electrotechnical, footwear, textile, mining and offshore, as well as from companies developing domestic and medical/surgical applications of polyurethanes.

Our co-ordinated publicity campaign will also include editorial features, a promotional newspaper, stickers for all your correspondence, posters and table flags, as well as a show catalogue with your company name and a description of the products and services supplied.





THE IDEAL LOCATION

As organisers of the Asian events since 1993, one of our perennial headaches has been finding a location which not only has all the necessary infrastructure, facilities and professional support, but which also has sufficient allure and cachet to attract the right visitors. After visiting and evaluating several centres, we have finally selected the China Hi-Tech Fair Exhibition Center, Shenzhen, PRC. One of the main reasons that Shenzhen was chosen, was because of its location and ease of access by both foreign and Chinese visitors. Shenzhen is the only major Chinese city bordering on Hong Kong and is only half an hours drive from Kowloon and the Hong Kong International Airport, which acts as the gateway into Shenzhen for visitors arriving from the four corners of the world.

Those attending from outside China will find plenty of suitable modes of transport into Shenzhen from Hong Kong, and crossing into China through one of its many customs posts is relatively easy.

Visitors from inside China are able to either fly direct into Huangtian International Airport, or drive using one of the many express ways or by train from cities such as Beijing.

As the communication hub in South China, Shenzhen is the only city in the country equipped with an airport, seaports and border crossings. This modern coastal city has implemented China's development strategy with enthusiasm, taking the hi-tech industry as the driving force, advanced industry as the foundation, and service industry as the supporting pillar.


SUPERB FACILITIES

UTECH Asia 2002 will use the prestigious China Hi-Tech Fair Exhibition Center in Shenzhen. The Shenzhen Municipal Government built this venue in 1999. Located in the downtown area of the city, the state-of-the-art centre is divided into nine different halls occupying an area of 77,000 m2; it has a construction area of 54,000 m2 with a pillar-free exhibition area of 36,000 m2. The centre also offers VIP rooms, a multi-functional conference hall, restaurants, parking lot, and other advanced facilities. The China Hi-Tech Fair Exhibition Center in Shenzhen is the first exhibition venue in China to gain the certificate of International Quality Management System of ISO 9002.




COSTS OF PARTICIPATION

Exhibitors will have the opportunity of participating in:

SPACE ONLY - US$ 410 per m².

You are responsible for arranging the construction of your stand by appointing your own stand designer and contractor.

SPACE AND PIFEX SHELL SCHEME - US$ 480 per m².

With the minimum size being 16 m2 this comprises 3-mm thick white polykem bi-laminated partition walls, carpet, one lockable cupboard, one power point, one fluorescent tube per 8 m2, daily stand cleaning, and a fascia with your company name.

Hospitality suites are also available.
Full details of the options will be sent on request.

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