Automotive supplier invests in the future of its UK plant
A KEY supplier to the global automotive industry is investing significantly in the future of its Washington plant.
Kasai UK has received a £100,000 grant from the Business Growth Fund which will support the interior trim supplier’s transition from the use of carbon-heavy adhesives to a solvent-free, water-based alternative, reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 100 to 120 tonnes per year.
Kasai made a commitment in 2019 to reduce emissions at its Sunderland plant by 30% by 2030. The installation of a suite of rooftop solar panels in 2023 helped the company work towards achieving a 24% reduction and company management are hopeful this latest investment will see that increase to 27% as it looks set to meet the ambitious target ahead of schedule.
Jill Usher, managing director of Kasai UK, said: “This investment marks a major milestone in our ambitious bid to reduce emissions at our Sunderland plant.
“We first trialled the use of solvent-free adhesives when producing trims for new Nissan vehicles and it was a huge success, so our goal now is to roll it out across all models.
“To achieve this, we have had to invest significantly as a business, including the installation of new equipment and technology, so it is very much an investment into the future of the plant.”
Kasai UK’s Washington plant employs around 520 members of staff, producing over 1.2 million door trims and over 9 million pillar trims annually for customers including Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover.
The investment in the plant will not only safeguard the plant’s future but also improve conditions for workers.
“The impact it will have on our staff will be huge as it’ll create a much cleaner, better working environment,” Jill added. “It will also have a major impact on the local environment as it’ll reduce noise pollution as well as Co2.”
Business advice and funding specialist UMi manages the Business Growth Fund in Sunderland. During 2025/26 the Business Growth Fund project was allocated £494,853 from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme, managed by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.
Kasai UK was signposted to the grant by the business investment team at Sunderland City Council who have worked with the company since it first arrived on Wearside in 1993.
Cllr Kevin Johnston, Cabinet Member for Housing, Business and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “It is fantastic to see Kasai UK continuing to invest in its workforce and its Washington plant.
“Since the company was established in the UK in 1991 it has gone on to play a key role in helping establish the region as a global automotive powerhouse and this investment will hopefully see the company continue to play a key role in growing the industry for many years to come.”
Jonpaul Heron, specialist adviser at UMi, said: “The Business Growth Fund was established to support business growth by helping companies expand or establish new operations in the North East and Kasai is a perfect example of that.
“By providing it with the funding required to avoid high-cost equipment replacement, and invest in new lower cost technology, it will provide the company with space to grow, help reduce emissions and provide a better, healthier environment for its workforce. It is a real success story for UK manufacturing and hopefully the best is still yet to come.”
For more information on Sunderland as a place to do business, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/business-and-investment