Solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) is one of the raw materials that contribute to the improvement of fuel economy in terms of electric power consumption of tires. The demand for SSBR is expected to further expand on a global scale as it becomes more important for EVs, which require longer cruising distances. ETIC, which specializes in consulting on synthetic rubber and...
Zeon Corporation has posted a 6.1% year-on-year decline in sales to 185.44 billion yen ($1.23 billion), a 53.1% drop in operating income to 9.46 billion yen, a 46.6% decline in ordinary income to 13.03 billion yen, and a 40.5% drop in net income to 10.35 billion yen in the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year ending March 2024. In...
Sanyo Trading has recently signed a sole agency agreement for Japan with Brisil Technologies, a developer and manufacturer of biomass rice husk silica. The agreement will accelerate the supply of highly dispersible biomass silica for tire and rubber compounding to the Japanese market. Silica is an important raw material for fuel-efficient tires, and demand for silica is expected to grow...
Denka and SCG Chemicals (SCGC, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand), a wholly owned subsidiary of Siam Cement, have decided to establish a joint venture company to manufacture and sell acetylene black and to construct an acetylene black production plant in Thailand. The investment amount is $400 million and the plant will be located in Map Ta Phut in Rayong Province. Construction...
Dow began operations at a new MDI distillation and prepolymer facility at Dow’s global manufacturing site in Freeport, Texas. The investment will optimize the company’s existing asset infrastructure and strengthen Dow’s position in high-growth applications in the automotive, construction, consumer, and industrial markets. The new MDI facility in Freeport will replace existing North American production capacity in Laporte, Texas, and...
Tosoh Group member Tosoh Logistics took delivery of a new ethylene carrier, the Kayo, on August 17. Ethylene is extremely flammable and combustible, and therefore, adequate safety measures must be taken. The new vessel will ensure continuing safe and stable transport in response to the aging of existing vessels. The Kayo is one of the few special vessels in Japan...
