Toyoda Gosei to Dissolve Chinese Weatherstrip Subsidiary Sep. 18, 2025. - Toyoda Gosei has decided to dissolve Toyoda Gosei Star Light (Tianjin) Automotive Parts, its wholly owned subsidiary in China engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive weatherstrip products, as part of efforts to reform the profit structure of its Chinese operations. Production will end in December 2025, with liquidation to be completed by December 2026. Amid dramatic changes in […]
Sumitomo Rubber and Tohoku University Visualize Strain-Induced Crystallization Distribution in Rubber Sep. 17, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber, in collaboration with professors at Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, has succeeded in visualizing the nanometer-scale distribution of strain-induced crystallization inside polyisoprene rubber, a synthetic polymer with the same chemical structure as natural rubber. In general, when rubber is subjected to large deformations, the polyisoprene molecular chains are stretched, causing strain-induced crystallization, which is […]
Toyoda Gosei to Dissolve Chinese Weatherstrip Subsidiary Sep. 18, 2025. - Toyoda Gosei has decided to dissolve Toyoda Gosei Star Light (Tianjin) Automotive Parts, its wholly owned subsidiary in China engaged in the manufacture and sale of automotive weatherstrip products, as part of efforts to reform the profit structure of its Chinese operations. Production will end in December 2025, with liquidation to be completed by December 2026. Amid dramatic changes in […]
Sumitomo Rubber and Tohoku University Visualize Strain-Induced Crystallization Distribution in Rubber Sep. 17, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber, in collaboration with professors at Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, has succeeded in visualizing the nanometer-scale distribution of strain-induced crystallization inside polyisoprene rubber, a synthetic polymer with the same chemical structure as natural rubber. In general, when rubber is subjected to large deformations, the polyisoprene molecular chains are stretched, causing strain-induced crystallization, which is […]
Yokohama Rubber Holds Test Drive for New Studless Passenger Car Tire Sep. 11, 2025. - Yokohama Rubber launched on September 1 its new studless passenger car tire, the iceGuard 8, the eighth generation of its Yokohama studless tire lineup and the first to incorporate its new winter tire technology concept Fuyu Tech. To showcase the product, the company held a test drive event on February 10–11 at its Tire Test Center of Hokkaido (TTCH) in […]
Michelin Japan Launches New All-Season Tires from CrossClimate Series Sep. 9, 2025. - Michelin Japan announced that it will begin rolling out two new all-season tires from October 1: the Michelin CrossClimate 3, designed to deliver stable driving performance regardless of the season, including heavy summer rains and sudden winter snowfalls, and the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport, the first in the all-season category to feature sports performance. Both models will be sold at […]
Toyoda Gosei Invests in Startup KG Motors Sep. 17, 2025. - Toyoda Gosei has invested in KG Motors, a startup developing and manufacturing compact battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for single-passenger use. KG Motors aims to promote economical and environmentally friendly mobility suited to short-distance travel in regions where maintaining public transportation has become difficult due to depopulation. Centering on its proprietary monocoque body technology — a lightweight, high-rigidity vehicle structure integrating […]
Rubber Hose Production and Shipments Increase in First Half Sep. 10, 2025. - According to statistics compiled by the Japan Rubber Hose Manufacturers Association based on data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), rubber hose production and shipment results for January–June 2025 showed year-on-year growth. Production volume (new rubber consumption) reached 16,326 tons, up 2.7% from the same period last year, while shipment value totaled 69.98 billion yen, up 6.1%. […]
Sumitomo Rubber and Tohoku University Visualize Strain-Induced Crystallization Distribution in Rubber Sep. 17, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber, in collaboration with professors at Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, has succeeded in visualizing the nanometer-scale distribution of strain-induced crystallization inside polyisoprene rubber, a synthetic polymer with the same chemical structure as natural rubber. In general, when rubber is subjected to large deformations, the polyisoprene molecular chains are stretched, causing strain-induced crystallization, which is […]
Kuraray Reports Lower Sales and Profits in First Half Sep. 5, 2025. - Kuraray announced results for the first half of fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Consolidated net sales came to 399.95 billion yen ($2.70 billion), down 2.7% year on year. Operating income fell 42.2% to 26.26 billion yen, ordinary income dropped 51.7% to ¥21.28 billion, and net income declined 53.9% to 14.04 billion yen. In segment performance, the isoprene business recorded […]
Top Interview: President Tomio Ueno of Bando Chemical Sep. 2, 2025. - In an interview with Tomio Ueno, President of Bando Chemical, we discussed the company’s current business performance, the progress of its medium- to long-term management plan Creating New Value for the Future 1st Stage (CV-1), and the status of its overseas production bases. Regarding the situation overseas, Ueno explained that market conditions in Asia vary by country and timing. India, […]
Interview: Hideki Ogawa, President of Nishikawa Rubber Jan. 27, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down for an interview with Hideki Ogawa, president of Nishikawa Rubber, to discuss the year ahead. “In 2025, we will continue to take on any challenge with elastic ideas,” Ogawa said. Also actively promoting the use of AI and automation, the company is on track to develop new products and technologies that are expected to […]
Toyoda Gosei Invests in Startup Aiming for Practical Nuclear Fusion Power Generation Jul. 30, 2025. - Toyoda Gosei has invested in Helical Fusion, a startup focused on commercializing nuclear fusion power generation, seen as a promising future energy source. Nuclear fusion power generates high-output energy from CO2-free nuclear reactions, using abundant fuel sources like deuterium found in seawater. Considered easier to control than nuclear fission used in traditional nuclear power, it is driving a global race […]
Sumitomo Rubber Develops Rubber Material Compatible with 3D Printing Jul. 17, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber has developed a rubber material that can be processed using 3D printers. The company aims to commercialize the material for 3D printing applications by 2026 and will continue to advance its development. Traditionally, producing rubber products using 3D printers has been considered difficult. However, Sumitomo Rubber has succeeded in developing a proprietary material with excellent resilience and high […]
Japan Glove Manufacturers Association Publishes 2024 Glove Sales Volumes Apr. 18, 2025. - According to the 2024 Japanese domestic glove sales volume statistics compiled by the Japan Glove Manufacturers Association, household glove sales reached 73.253 million pairs, down 1% year-on-year, nearly flat. Nitrile gloves alone grew by 14%, but cautious buying due to a sluggish market continued to suppress demand post-COVID. Ultra-thin gloves (excluding medical use) totaled 5.405 billion pieces, up 6% and […]
CEMA Publishes Construction Machinery Demand Forecasts for Fiscal 2024 and 2025 Mar. 7, 2025. - The Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) recently released its construction machinery demand forecasts for fiscal 2024 (April 2024-March 2025) and fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026). The forecasts were compiled based on a questionnaire survey conducted in January among 61 construction equipment manufacturers that are regular members of the association. According to the survey, in fiscal 2024, Japanese domestic shipments […]
