Adoption of Chinese-made PI Tape for Heat-Resistant Process Film | Cost Optimization via Just-Spec Specifications

While domestic high-spec PI tapes offer more than adequate performance, they are often over-engineered for specific applications. By selecting a “just-spec” grade from a Chinese manufacturer that perfectly matches the application’s needs, and verifying its quality through our Shanghai base, we achieved both cost reduction and quality maintenance.

Deterioration of the Cost-of-Sales Ratio for Heat-Resistant Process PI Tapes and the Necessity of “Just-Spec” Optimization

Cost reduction is required for PI tapes used in heat-resistant processes. However, since high-spec options are excessive for this application, the goal is to select an appropriate grade.
Previously, domestic high-spec PI tape was adopted, but it was over-engineered for the specific application.
●Context of emergence: Cost improvement phase.
●Primary impacts: Deterioration of the cost-of-sales ratio, decline in price competitiveness.

Why High-Spec Products are Excessive: The Gap Between Actual Application Requirements and Specifications

Continued adoption of high-spec products serves as a cost-up factor. For actual applications, an acceptable/usable level is more than sufficient.
●Specific evidence: Physical property comparison of existing materials and processing tests.

Countermeasures Attempted So Far and Their Limitations

Price reduction negotiations for domestic high-spec products (reached limits), and substitution with alternative films (insufficient heat resistance).
Based on these limitations, we adopted the following approach as a more drastic/fundamental solution.

Solution Approach: Application-Specific Grade Design × New Chinese Supplier Development × Quality Verification via Shanghai Base

Through the development of new foreign suppliers + collaboration with overseas bases, we adopted PI tape with cost suitability that perfectly matches the application.

Fujichemi Trading’s Supply System: Head Office × Shanghai Base

This solution is achieved through the division of roles across multiple bases.
・ Head Office / Domestic Sales: Customer window and cost proposals
・ Shanghai Base: Local manufacturer coordination and quality verification
●Supply System: Stable supply of overseas procured products.

Results of Implementation

Achieved cost reduction. Specifications maintained at an acceptable/usable level while preserving quality.
●KPI Candidates: Cost reduction / Maintaining zero quality complaints / Diversification of procurement routes.
●Implementation Lead Time: Repeating prototyping and evaluation to switch to mass production.

Anticipated Ripple Effects and Horizontal Deployment

The effects of implementing this solution extend beyond solving the primary issue. Please utilize this as material for internal and management-level proposals.
・Applying the same “application-specific grade design” to films for other processes (PET, PEN, PPS)
・Modeling the “optimized selection proposal” in the electric wire and electronic component sectors
・Breaking out of sales commoditization through switching proposals from “high-spec to just-spec”
・Creating a case study of being adopted in the customer’s internal cost reduction projects

Difference from Competitors: Why Fuji Chemi Trading is Chosen

Domestic specialized trading companies tend to offer only a single high-spec proposal. Fuji Chemi supports breaking away from excessive specifications through “application-specific grade design” and “quality verification at the Chinese base.”

Product Information and Specification Overview

The main specifications of the products with a proven track record of adoption can be selected from multiple grades depending on the application and requirement conditions. The representative specifications are as follows (please contact us for detailed specifications).

Utilization Methods and Operation Examples

The following patterns are frequently adopted in actual operations.
・Evaluation Phase: Requirement hearing → Sample evaluation → Specification finalization
・Pre-mass Production Preparation: Division of roles across bases, Specification unification and Local startup
・Mass Production Phase: Ensuring short lead times and stable supply through our supply system
・Horizontal Deployment: Supporting horizontal deployment to other bases and projects

Proposals by Related Applications and Challenges

■ Overseas Procurement of PET Film for Power Cables + Domestic Slitting | Cost Reduction with Equivalent Quality
■ BCP Multi-sourcing of Ferrite Cores for Cable Noise Removal | Equivalent Quality x Stable Supply x Cost Reduction
■ BCP-Compliant Procurement of FRP Gratings for Plants | Mass Production Through Overseas Supplier Development and Quality Reproduction