Top maker of wig-fibers planning factory in Africa next year

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Yonhap) -- Uno & Company Ltd., South Korea's top wig-fiber maker,
plans to set up a factory in Africa next year to capitalize on the region's
growing demand for wigs, the company said Wednesday.

The producer of polyvinyl chloride, a synthetic fiber most widely used to make
false hair, plans to spend around 8.1 billion won (US$6.8 million) on the plant
over the next three to four years, according to the company. It declined to
specify where the factory will be located.
"The factory plan is designed to take advantage of growing regional demand for
wigs there," the firm said.
Construction for the envisioned plant will be funded by the company's initial
public offering (IPO) set for Jan. 5 next year, it said.
Uno & Company expected to register up to 6.3 billion won in net profit for this
year on sales of as much as 17 billion won.
The market for wig fibers is dominated by South Korea and Japan, with the world's
top four producers all based in the two countries. The recipe for making
fire-retardant fiber for wigs is solely owned by Uno & Company and a Japanese
maker, the Korea-based firm said.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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