Industrial gloves are used to protect workers in environments that require countermeasures against chemical handling, static electricity, and cut-related accidents, as well as in factory production lines. Demand has been stable. Among them, cut-resistant gloves are playing a particularly strong leading role. These gloves incorporate special materials and cut-resistant fibers, protecting hands during tasks involving blades and other sharp tools....
market trends
Market Report: Resin Hose Demand on Uptrend
There are emerging signs of recovery in the previously stagnant demand for resin hoses. As automobile production remains stable, the flow of goods has gradually resumed, and demand for hoses used in machinery and equipment at production sites has started to pick up, albeit modestly. In addition, demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, an area that was expected to grow significantly...
Rubber Rolls Report: Steelmaking Rolls Recover Amid Overall Output Slump
Roll production continues to decline. Printing rolls, which account for 30% of the total, remain in a slump due to the shift to paperless media, and film rolls — which had been driving growth until mid-last year — are also stagnating. According to data compiled by the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (Statistics Committee, including seven roll-product companies), total production from...
Report: Plastic Hose and Tube Demand up on Semiconductor Boom
Demand for plastic hoses and tubes for semiconductor manufacturing equipment has been improving. The semiconductor industry, which had been sluggish, has been recovering on the back of strong demand for applications such as AI and EVs. Production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment has begun to move, and sales of plastic hoses used in this equipment are also on the road to...
Report: Rubber Products Sales Growth Backed by Weak Yen and Price Increases
While the first half (January-June for fiscal years ending December 31, 2024) earnings results of Japan’s four tire makers were record highs and the first quarter (April-June for fiscal years ending March 31, 2025) earnings results of industrial goods makers were also solid, rubber product makers and trading company officials said that despite these figures, there is no positive response...
Special Report on Logistics, Impact of 2024 Problem on Freight Rates and Transportation
The so-called 2024 Problem, which refers to a cap on overtime hours for truck drivers in Japan that came into effect in April and results in transportation capacity shortages, has reached the rubber-related industries as well. Not only are transportation costs continuing to rise, but the conditions demanded by shippers, such as shorter waiting times for cargo, are becoming even...

