Navigation

Materials

Kuraray Posts Growing Profit Amid Falling Sales for 2016

on February 16, 2017 in Materials

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...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading

Showa Denko Increases Prices for Entire Range of Chloroprene Rubber

on February 16, 2017 in Materials

Showa Denko KK (TYO:4004) is raising the price of its full line of chloroprene rubber (CR). Marketed as Showa Denko Chloroprene, the various grades of CR are being increased to at least 42 yen ($0.37) per kilogram, coming into effect for delivery from March 1. The company’s CR business is tied up in an environment that has gone into a...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading

Denka to Appoint Yamamoto New President, Taps Expertise in IT and Global Business

on February 15, 2017 in Materials

Denka Co. Ltd. (TYO:4061) has announced that Manabu Yamamoto (60), director and senior managing executive officer, will become the company’s next president on April 1. Current President and Chief Executive Officer Shinsuke Yoshitaka (66) will be appointed as chairman of the board of directors. Speaking to press, Yoshitaka said that incoming president Yamamoto looks back on a long career in...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading

Japan’s Import Volume of Natural Rubber Drops 3.3% for 2016

on February 14, 2017 in Market Background, Materials

Japan’s import volume of natural rubber (NR) for 2016 decreased 3.3 percent year-on-year, falling to 655,312 tons, according to data compiled by the Rubber Trade Association of Japan from the Trade Statistics of Japan. Import value decreased 23.6 percent, dropping to 99.59045 billion yen ($875.59 million). The average import price fell 20.9 percent to hit 152 yen per kilogram, dropping...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading

JSR Hikes Prices on Synthetic Rubber and Emulsion Products

on February 10, 2017 in Materials

JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) has raised its prices on synthetic rubber and emulsion products, starting with deliveries from Feb. 1. The company says that the hikes are in response to increased prices of raw materials in domestic naphtha. These come on the back of a weakening yen and the high price of crude oil, along with skyrocketing butadiene prices since last...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading

Zeon Increases Profit on Falling Revenues, Specialty Rubbers Strong in Japan

on February 8, 2017 in Materials

Synthetic rubber manufacturer Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) has posted increasing profits on falling revenues for its rubber business over the April–December period for fiscal 2017. The company’s sales volume over the period declined 5 percent year-on-year, sitting at 224,000 tons. General-purpose rubber for tires declined 10 percent domestically on account of a lowered utilization rate among tire manufacturers. Coupled with overseas...

Please subscribe to read the full story.

[lwa template="modal" register="0"]Subscribe

Continue Reading