JAPANESE consumer goods and chemical products maker Kao Group said it expects to more than triple its consumer product sales in China by 2015 to reach 50 billion yen (US$500 million), company executives said.

It plans to introduce more products and also expects to cover a wider area in China to drive sales, said Toshiharu Numata, chairman and general manager of Kao (China) Holding Co Ltd, speaking at a news briefing today.

The group expects to achieve US$14 billion global sales by 2015.

It will also step up research and development efforts and deepen collaboration with local retailers and distributors.

Last year, the company completed the construction of its 490 million yuan manufacturing base for baby diapers in east China's Anhui Province, built as a result of rising demand.

Another 300 million yuan plant making industrial chemical products in Jinshan District is expected to be put into use in early 2015.