Sanyo Trading Systematically Promotes Eco-Friendly Products Jun. 13, 2025. - Sanyo Trading is focusing on expanding sales of products that address growing societal demands for environmental impact reduction and sustainability. As part of this effort, the company held a “Product Briefing (Environment Edition)” on May 29, targeting eco-friendly materials. The briefing, planned across the company with a focus on environmental solutions, showcased products from its rubber, chemicals, and mobility divisions, […]
Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association Holds 35th Executive Meeting Jun. 12, 2025. - The Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA), chaired by Takashi Shimizu, president and CEO of Toyo Tire, held its 35th board of directors meeting. Before the meeting, the 2025 annual general meeting took place, appointing Takao Yamauchi, president of Yamauchi, as an additional auditor and Masahiko Fukuda, president of Marugo, as a supplementary director. The association represents Japanese rubber product manufacturers, […]
Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association Holds 35th Executive Meeting Jun. 12, 2025. - The Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA), chaired by Takashi Shimizu, president and CEO of Toyo Tire, held its 35th board of directors meeting. Before the meeting, the 2025 annual general meeting took place, appointing Takao Yamauchi, president of Yamauchi, as an additional auditor and Masahiko Fukuda, president of Marugo, as a supplementary director. The association represents Japanese rubber product manufacturers, […]
Report: Rubber Industry Posts Higher Sales and Operating Profits in Fiscal 2024, Showing Solid Performance Jun. 10, 2025. - The 19 listed rubber-related companies reported solid results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, with net sales and operating income up from the previous year, and net income almost unchanged. Belts performed well, especially overseas, and many auto parts companies, which had experienced sluggish growth in automobile production, were able to increase profits by shifting prices and implementing […]
Sumitomo Rubber Receives Rubber Society of Japan Award May. 27, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber has been awarded the 37th Rubber Society of Japan Award for its Active Tread Technology, a groundbreaking material innovation that allows tire performance to adapt to changing road conditions. The Rubber Society of Japan Award is presented to society members who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of science, technology, or industry in the field of rubber […]
Yokohama Rubber Acquires Assets in Romania to Expand Off-Highway Tire Production Capacity May. 26, 2025. - Yokohama Rubber has acquired fixed assets, including land, buildings, and production facilities, in Romania through its subsidiary Yokohama TWS Romania. The move aims to enhance the company’s production capacity for off-highway tires (OHT), including tires for agricultural machinery, in Europe. The acquired land spans approximately 200,000 square meters, with the acquisition cost amounting to $35 million. This acquisition follows Yokohama […]
Sanyo Trading Systematically Promotes Eco-Friendly Products Jun. 13, 2025. - Sanyo Trading is focusing on expanding sales of products that address growing societal demands for environmental impact reduction and sustainability. As part of this effort, the company held a “Product Briefing (Environment Edition)” on May 29, targeting eco-friendly materials. The briefing, planned across the company with a focus on environmental solutions, showcased products from its rubber, chemicals, and mobility divisions, […]
Bando Chemical Posts Record-High Sales Revenue, Core Operating Profit May. 30, 2025. - Bando Chemical, a manufacturer of conveyor and transmission belts, reported its performance under IFRS for the fical year ended March 31, 2025, with sales revenue of 115.59 billion yen ($793.23 million), up 6.8% from the previous year, core operating profit of 7.74 billion yen, up 2.1%, and net profit of 1.50 billion yen, down 75.8%. “Sales revenue and core operating […]
Zeon to Begin Production of High-Performance S-SBR in Singapore Jun. 9, 2025. - Zeon has introduced new production facilities for high-performance grades of S-SBR, primarily used in fuel-efficient tires, at its subsidiary Zeon Chemicals Singapore (ZCS) located on Jurong Island. Together with its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the company aims to strengthen its dual production and supply system. Construction of the new facilities for high-performance grades at ZCS has been […]
Ube Provides Update on 2030 Plan, Launches Bio-Based Butadiene Rubber Supply This Year May. 29, 2025. - Ube held a briefing on its medium-term management plan, “Ube Vision 2030 Transformation-2nd Stage,” covering fiscal years 2025 to 2030. “Considering the promotion of basic business structure reforms, specialization, digital transformation (DX), and corporate culture reform, we need to establish a solid six-year plan and execute it steadily,” Ube said, extending the plan’s duration from the previous three years to […]
Interview: Hideki Ogawa, President of Nishikawa Rubber Jan. 27, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down for an interview with Hideki Ogawa, president of Nishikawa Rubber, to discuss the year ahead. “In 2025, we will continue to take on any challenge with elastic ideas,” Ogawa said. Also actively promoting the use of AI and automation, the company is on track to develop new products and technologies that are expected to […]
Interview: Toyohiro Hagiwara, Vice President, Gates Unitta Asia Jan. 24, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly sat down for an interview with Toyohiro Hagiwara, vice president of Gates Unitta Asia (GUA), to talk about business and the year ahead. “In the automotive field, we will expand the use of our products in commercial vehicles and respond to new types of mobility, such as EVs and electric motorcycles. In general industrial applications, we see […]
Tosoh Develops World’s First Bio-Based Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Rubber Jun. 11, 2025. - Tosoh has developed a bio-based chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) rubber marketed under its Toso-CSM brand, and established mass production technology. This marks the world’s first development of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene product utilizing bio-based materials. Toso-CSM is widely used in industrial products, adhesives, rubber-coated fabrics, and handrails. Known for its high durability, it contributes to the extended lifespan of products and has […]
Molten Develops High Damping Laminated Rubber for Construction Apr. 25, 2025. - Molten Corporation, a manufacturer of rubber parts for athletic balls and automobiles, has developed a high-damping laminated rubber bearing for use in seismic isolation construction, and has obtained ministerial approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for designated building materials under Article 37 of the Building Standards Law. Molten’s MHR1500 high-damping laminated rubber bearing, which was […]
Japan Glove Manufacturers Association Publishes 2024 Glove Sales Volumes Apr. 18, 2025. - According to the 2024 Japanese domestic glove sales volume statistics compiled by the Japan Glove Manufacturers Association, household glove sales reached 73.253 million pairs, down 1% year-on-year, nearly flat. Nitrile gloves alone grew by 14%, but cautious buying due to a sluggish market continued to suppress demand post-COVID. Ultra-thin gloves (excluding medical use) totaled 5.405 billion pieces, up 6% and […]
CEMA Publishes Construction Machinery Demand Forecasts for Fiscal 2024 and 2025 Mar. 7, 2025. - The Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) recently released its construction machinery demand forecasts for fiscal 2024 (April 2024-March 2025) and fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026). The forecasts were compiled based on a questionnaire survey conducted in January among 61 construction equipment manufacturers that are regular members of the association. According to the survey, in fiscal 2024, Japanese domestic shipments […]
