Sumitomo Rubber Establishes Co-Creation Research Hub at Hokkaido University Sep. 8, 2025. - In August, Sumitomo Rubber opened a new research hub, the Sumitomo Rubber Innovation Base Sapporo, within Hokkaido University’s Data-driven Research and Development Center for Emergent Systems (D-RED). At this hub, the company will promote research and practical applications of advanced technologies such as Physical AI, which makes autonomous decisions and actions in the real world. The initiative takes on the […]
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 […]
Sumitomo Rubber Establishes Co-Creation Research Hub at Hokkaido University Sep. 8, 2025. - In August, Sumitomo Rubber opened a new research hub, the Sumitomo Rubber Innovation Base Sapporo, within Hokkaido University’s Data-driven Research and Development Center for Emergent Systems (D-RED). At this hub, the company will promote research and practical applications of advanced technologies such as Physical AI, which makes autonomous decisions and actions in the real world. The initiative takes on the […]
Japan Belting Industry Association Releases First-Half Sales Breakdown Sep. 4, 2025. - The Japan Belting Industry Association recently announced the sales breakdown by end-use industry for conveyor belts and resin belts during the first half of 2025 (January–June). For conveyor belts, Japanese domestic sales accounted for 85.8% of the total on a value basis, down 7% year on year. Exports made up 14.2% of the total, but sales dropped sharply, down 59% […]
Sumitomo Rubber to Fully Expand Dunlop Brand Overseas Sep. 1, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber will accelerate the rollout of its Dunlop brand tire products in Europe, North America, and Australia. Since dissolving its global alliance with Goodyear in 2015, the company had been unable to use the Dunlop brand in those regions and instead focused on expanding the Falken brand. However, in May 2025, Sumitomo Rubber acquired the Dunlop trademark rights for […]
Michelin Recognized by German Automobile Association for Tire Wear Particulate Reduction Efforts Aug. 29, 2025. - Michelin has been acknowledged twice consecutively by the German Automobile Association (ADAC) for its outstanding performance in reducing tire wear particulate emissions generated from tire-road friction. ADAC is known for its rigorous testing standards. The latest study evaluated 160 types of tires from various manufacturers, including summer, all-season, and winter tires. Michelin’s tires produced 26% less tire wear particulate compared […]
Odaka Rubber Sees Demand Potential from U.S. Steel Acquisition Sep. 3, 2025. - For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Odaka Rubber Industries posted higher sales and profits compared with the previous year. Although sales of winding cores for film products were sluggish, sales of rolls for steelmaking—accounting for about 70% of total revenue—remained firm. The steady replacement of existing products with higher-value-added alternatives drove operating profit growth of roughly 15%. Despite […]
Fukoku Reports First Quarter Results, Sales Stable Aug. 22, 2025. - Fukoku reported its financial results for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. Net sales reached 22.72 billion yen ($154.71 million), up 2.2% year-on-year, while operating profit rose slightly to 1 billion yen, a 2.1% increase. Ordinary profit fell sharply to 917 million yen, down 28.8%, and net profit decreased 33.2% to 493 million yen. By […]
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 […]
LANXESS Holds Press Briefing and Solutions Day in Japan Aug. 28, 2025. - On August 19, LANXESS Japan held a press briefing at Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo, coinciding with the visit of a board member from the company’s headquarters in Germany. Since its spin-off from the Bayer Group in 2004, LANXESS has grown through strategic acquisitions, including the 2008 purchase of Brazil’s Petroflex Chemicals Group, becoming one of the world’s leading […]
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 […]
