Iwata made the announcement at a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the completion of its first EUR 100 million SiC DPF (Diesel Particular Filter) manufacturing plant, which was begun in Dunavarsany in November 2004. The ceremony was attended by Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.
The second plant, which will cover 30,800 sqm, is expected to be fully operational by March 2007. It will provide work for 400-500, who will operate four production lines.
Test production at the first plant has been completed with one of the four production lines currently operational. Full capacity at the 26,400 sqm plant is expected to be reached by the end of this year when staff numbers will rise to 700 from the present 200.
According to Iwata, the facility will produce 1.2 million DPF units each year generating turnover of EUR 200 million. Strict EU rules requiring all diesel vehicles to be fitted with DPFs from 2008-2010 mean that the market is set to grow, said Iwata, who added the Ibiden aims to secure 50% of the European market.
