The Isoprene Chemicals (IPC) division of Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) has posted a year-on-year 0.2-percent increase on operating profit for 2016, at 6.934 billion yen ($60.53 million). The modest increase comes on a 7.1-percent decline in year-on-year sales, at 51.083 billion yen. Despite performing strongly with fine chemicals, thermoplastic elastomers and liquid rubber, the division struggled with its heat-resistant polyamide…
