Japanese materials manufacturer Ibiden is quadrupling the production capacity of its silicon carbide (SiC) diesel particulate filters globally to 3 million units per year to meet growing demand for diesels.

The $477-million (¥50-billion) expansion will double four production lines in Hungary and double three lines in Japan.  The total number of production lines will increase from four at the end of last year to 16 by 2006, according to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

Ibiden currently serves the European and Japanese markets primarily, but intends to begin exports to the US in anticipation of diesel market growth and the more stringent environmental regulations to come in 2007.