Toyoda Gosei Achieves Industry-Leading Current with Vertical GaN Power Semiconductor Apr. 26, 2018. - Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has achieved a record-high current with a newly developed vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor. GaN, which is used in the semiconductor, is also a key material in blue LEDs. Power semiconductors are widely used in power converters, with this including applications in adapters and power sources for electronic devices. However, due to the characteristics […]
Yokohama Rubber Subsidiary Targets Improved Supply of Non-Tire Products Apr. 25, 2018. - Yokohama Industrial Products Japan Co. Ltd., a sales subsidiary for the non-tire operations of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101), is striving to further improve its contributions to its parent company, which last year welcomed its 100th anniversary. Hiroyuki Hosoda, president of Yokohama Industrial Products Japan, has said that he is satisfied with his company’s numerical results for 2017. But with […]
Chloroprene Rubber Shortage Intensifies Worldwide, Affecting Japanese Firms Apr. 18, 2018. - Chloroprene rubber (CR) is continuing to face a global shortage. Japanese CR manufacturers are already at their limit, holding down exports to prioritize domestic supply, while both producers and users of the product are struggling to navigate a situation where there are no expectations of a falloff in demand. A representative of one Japanese CR manufacturer has said that his […]
Half of Japan’s Rubber Manufacturers Miss New Graduate Hiring Target Apr. 4, 2018. - A recent Japan Rubber Weekly survey has found that, between the 23 major rubber and synthetic rubber manufacturers who responded, a total of 1,096 new graduates have been hired in the Japanese rubber industry for spring 2018. This figure is down by 21 graduates, or 1.9 percent, from the 1,117 new graduates hired by the respondents last spring. However, 10 […]
Michelin Japan to Launch New All-Season Tire for Small Wheel Loaders Apr. 20, 2018. - Nihon Michelin Tire Co. Ltd. has announced that it will launch the Michelin Cross Grip, an all-season radial tire for small wheel loaders, in Japan this September. The tire will be sized at 440/80R24, which is equivalent to 16.9R24. The most significant feature of the new product is its ability to help meet year-round urban needs – such as construction, […]
Bridgestone Americas, Goodyear to Merge US Wholesale Networks Apr. 19, 2018. - Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) subsidiary Bridgestone Americas Inc. and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. announced on April 17 that they will jointly establish TireHub LLC, a nationwide U.S wholesale company. TireHub will handle U.S. wholesale operations for the passenger vehicle tire and small truck tire businesses of both parent companies. Bridgestone Americas and Goodyear will use the opportunity to offer […]
Yokohama Rubber Subsidiary Targets Improved Supply of Non-Tire Products Apr. 25, 2018. - Yokohama Industrial Products Japan Co. Ltd., a sales subsidiary for the non-tire operations of Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101), is striving to further improve its contributions to its parent company, which last year welcomed its 100th anniversary. Hiroyuki Hosoda, president of Yokohama Industrial Products Japan, has said that he is satisfied with his company’s numerical results for 2017. But with […]
Sunpolymer Plans New Silicone Sponge Sheet Factory to Target EV, Aerospace Industries Apr. 24, 2018. - Sunpolymer Corp., a manufacturer and seller of extruded silicone rubber, high-performance sponge sheet and molded products, is planning to build a new factory at the Santo Industrial Park, Asago, Japan. Established in Osaka in 1980, Sunpolymer specializes in made-to-order production using silicone rubber as a primary material. The company manufactures products for a wide range of fields, from medical devices […]
Lanxess KK President Hideo Tsuji Comments on 2018 Plans, 2017 Results Apr. 23, 2018. - Hideo Tsuji, president and CEO of Lanxess KK, held a press conference on April 17 to discuss the company’s plans and activities for fiscal 2018. Speaking at the event, Tsuji said that his company – which is the Japanese arm of German-based specialty chemicals manufacturer Lanxess AG – will provide lightweighting solutions for next-generation vehicles. This will include efforts in […]Tosoh Resumes Operations at Nanyo Complex Following Minor Electrical Accident Apr. 12, 2018. - Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042), a manufacturer of synthetic rubber and chemical products, provided a follow-up report on April 11 regarding an electrical accident and corresponding noise that occurred on April 6 at its Nanyo Complex in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The report notes that, as of April 10, Tosoh is moving to sequentially resume production at facilities within the Nanyo Complex and […]
Interview: Toyoda Gosei President Highlights Plans for Lighter, Quieter EVs Feb. 15, 2018. - Sitting down for a recent interview with Japan Rubber Weekly, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) President Naoki Miyazaki said that the automotive industry is entering a massive, once-in-a-century turning point. Such a shake-up to business is an opportunity for growth, he said. Miyazaki spoke on the impact of electrification and Toyoda Gosei’s strategy to deal with it, saying that although […]Tigers Polymer President Kentaro Watanabe Eyes Increased Sales, Production for 2018 Feb. 9, 2018. - Tigers Polymer Corp. (TYO:4231) President Kentaro Watanabe recently sat down with Japan Rubber Weekly to talk about his company’s overseas operations for 2017 and where he expects to see things go here moving forward. Sales for the industrial rubber and resin products manufacturer are generally in good shape across the Americas, Southeast Asia and China, Watanabe said, particularly in China. […]
Toyoda Gosei Achieves Industry-Leading Current with Vertical GaN Power Semiconductor Apr. 26, 2018. - Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has achieved a record-high current with a newly developed vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor. GaN, which is used in the semiconductor, is also a key material in blue LEDs. Power semiconductors are widely used in power converters, with this including applications in adapters and power sources for electronic devices. However, due to the characteristics […]
Nitta Makes New Development in Proprietary CNT Dispersion Technology Feb. 27, 2018. - Nitta Corp. (TYO:5186) has recently developed new technology to be applied as part of the company’s proprietary carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion technology. The new technology improves flow, conductivity and film strength by taking elongated, isolated and dispersed CNTs and turning these into round cotton ball-like shapes. As it improves in usability, Nitta’s new technology is expected to find an expanded […]Japan Belting Manufacturers Association Releases Demand Forecast for 2018 Jan. 31, 2018. - The Japan Belting Manufacturers Association recently published a 2018 demand forecast for rubber and resin belts. As part of the report, the association estimated the 2017 production volume of rubber belts at 26,694 tons, marking a 1 percent year-on-year increase and a third consecutive year below 30,000 tons. While transmission belt production stayed flat for 2017, conveyor belt production rose […]
Transmission Belt Demand up for General Industrial Products, Flat for Auto Products Dec. 19, 2017. - The Japan Belting Manufacturers Association is forecasting 11,817 tons of demand for domestically produced transmission belt products during 2017, virtually unchanged from the previous year. While automotive-related demand has somewhat declined, demand has been strong for general industrial belting. Growth was driven by applications for semiconductors, injection molding machinery, machine tools and industrial robots. Transmission belt production from January through […]
