Industry

Falling Naphtha Prices Bring About Strong Expectation of Price Drops for Synthetic Rubber

Naphtha prices, which serve as a basis for the likes of the synthetic rubber market, are showing a significant drop amid tough market conditions. As of March 24, prices in Tokyo’s open-spec naphtha market are sitting at a median of $195 per ton when looking at product set to be delivered in late May. This is roughly a third of...

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Japan’s Major Tire Manufacturers Halt Employee Initiation Ceremonies Amid Coronavirus Concerns

Responding to the continued spread of the novel coronavirus, major tire manufacturers in Japan have decided to call off or postpone initiation ceremonies for new employees. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) is among this list, having decided to postpone its ceremonial activities. Meanwhile, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has decided that rather than hold its usual activities for new employees, it will...

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Bridgestone Fields Questions Regarding Coronavirus, Diversified Business and More at General Meeting of Shareholders

Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently held a general meeting of shareholders at the Palace Hotel Tokyo, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24. The meeting was attended by 246 shareholders and lasted for one hour and 10 minutes. Seven shareholders at the meeting asked a total of eight questions. Topics here included the company’s progress with diversified businesses, as well...

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Japan’s Rubber Unions Lodge 2020 Demands for Wage Increases

The Japan Rubber Workers Union Confederation (JRC), an organization made up of labor unions from various rubber-related companies, has set out on its annual spring labor offensive for 2020. Focusing on large manufacturers, the bulk of union demands have now come in. A survey based on information gathered at the JRC shows that as of March 6, 47 unions have...

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Goodyear Teams up With Skechers for Joint Development of Footwear

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. recently announced that it has been working with footwear brand Skechers USA Inc. to develop new footwear. Outsoles making use of Goodyear’s rubber technology are being utilized in a range of Skechers products. These outsoles incorporate various Goodyear technologies, such as a special polymer that includes renewable soybean oil. As a result, the outsoles provide...

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Coronavirus Looks Set to Impact European Operations of Japanese Rubber Companies

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has now spread to the point where it is impacting Japanese rubber companies with operations in Europe. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has halted operations at two of its European plants as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19, Japan Standard Time. The decision includes a truck and bus tire plant in Bilbao, Spain, as well as...

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