Kasai UK announced on 2 February 2026 that it is upgrading its interior-trim plant in Washington, Sunderland (Stephenson Road) to help secure the future of the site and its workforce. The investment will enable the company to adopt more eco‑friendly manufacturing methods at the Washington plant.
The project is being supported by a £100,000 grant from the Business Growth Fund — a capital grant programme funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and administered in Sunderland by UMi on behalf of Sunderland City Council. The local UKSPF allocation for the Business Growth Fund in 2025/26 was £494,853.
New equipment will allow the plant to move away from carbon‑intensive solvent adhesives and switch to solvent‑free, water‑based alternatives. The change is expected to reduce the plant’s carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 100–120 tonnes a year and to provide a cleaner working environment for staff.
The Washington site employs around 520 people and produces more than 1.2 million door trims and over 9 million pillar trims annually for customers including Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover — more than 10 million parts in total. Council officials say the investment helps maintain the North East’s status as a major centre for automotive manufacturing.
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… it is very much an investment into the future of the plant.” The company says the work follows earlier on‑site improvements, including the installation of rooftop solar panels in 2023.
Business support specialist UMi helped to administer the grant locally, and Cllr Kevin Johnston, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for housing, business and regeneration, welcomed the investment as supporting jobs and the region’s automotive supply chain.
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