In 2014, Kawata, manufacturer of plastic processing machinery, sold about 200 units of its nitrogen plastic dryer “M STABILIZER” to overseas plastic molding manufacturers mainly of China and Vietnam.

Kawata produces/sells dryers to mold light guiding plates (LGP) which uniformly brighten the display of smartphone or PC, and its product named “M STABILIZER” is a sort of such dryers. The foremost feature of the dryer is to prevent oxidation and discoloration at the time of molding of LGP by filling the equipment with nitrogen.

The light guiding plates are molded by melting plastics in the form of so-called “pellets” and casting them into dies, but they have to be dried as the resin contains much moisture. If the pellets are used without being not dried, they are oxidized in air to make a discolored LGP in yellow. To solve it, the company worked out an anti-oxidation measure by pouring nitrogen into the machine instead of the air.

Although there had been inquiries for nitrogen dryers themselves since 15 years before, only a few cases were led to business being dealt with as extraordinary orders, according to the company. However, the demand gradually has grown since several years ago and the company started a full-fledged production/sales of nitrogen dryers in 2004. During these years shipments to overseas users have been increasing.