The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (IPCR/RIKEN) has revealed that it has constructed a gene transcription database which will serve as the basis for research into the genome of the rubber tree. The database makes it possible to use a browser to sequence the genome, find genes and access full-length cDNA. Researchers will be able to use it to...
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) recently revealed that it is set to supply solution-polymerized rubber to Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5101). The rubber will be sold through ZS Elastomers Co. Ltd., and is slated to be used for a white polymer that is highly reactive with silica in Yokohama Rubber’s latest studless tire, the iceGuard 6. Due to the solution-polymerized rubber’s strong...
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has announced that a large plastic roof panel developed by the company will be adopted by Toyota Motor Corp. (TYO:7203) for use in a fuel cell (FC) bus scheduled for launch this year. Toyota will produce more than 100 of these buses, primarily for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic games. Plastic car bodies, despite...
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) President Kimiaki Tanaka recently spoke with Japan Rubber Weekly about how the accelerating trend toward electric vehicles (EVs) will impact his company. Tanaka said that specialty rubber, which is used in parts around automotive engines and is central to the company’s earnings, will be used less and less as the industry continues its march toward EVs. Zeon...
JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) President Mitsunobu Koshiba is hoping to see stable earnings for his company’s elastomer business. But to achieve this, he recently told Japan Rubber Weekly, JSR will need to take its marketing efforts for the sector onto the global stage. Koshiba said that his company’s elastomer business still has its sales largely directed at the Japanese domestic tire...
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) recently announced that it will raise its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) price by at least 15 yen per kilogram for shipments from Jan. 21 onward. Explaining the decision, a company representative said that crude oil and naphtha prices are expected to continue increasing from autumn onward, and that costs are also rising for utilities, transport and...
