As it got better at concocting multilayered devices from plastic resins, it moved on to computer circuit boards.

FORBES: It's all in the packaging

Great Lakes produces bromine-based flame retardants for plastic resins, polymer additives, fine chemicals for drug production and swimming pool chemicals.

FORBES: Paddling Upstream

To assemble these little critters, Ibiden has developed its own plastic resins and a new process for building up layers of plastic that contain intricate patterns of copper wiring (see diagram).

FORBES: It's all in the packaging