Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) has seen its Monilife vital data monitoring equipment picked up for use in 9H Sleep Fitscan, a sleep analysis service offered by Tokyo-based capsule hotel operator Nine Hours Inc. The service launched earlier this month at a capsule hotel operated by Nine Hours in Tokyo. Monilife takes the form of a piezoelectric sensor based on...
Bridgestone Mining Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd., a group company of Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108), has acquired Otraco International Pty. Ltd., an Australian provider of off-road tire solutions for mining equipment. Valued at AU$79 million ($56.62 million), the acquisition from Downer EDI Ltd. was completed on Dec. 1 following regulatory approvals and the fulfillment of other such requirements. Otraco has skilled tire...
The Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association (JRMA) has released its forecast for rubber hose demand in 2022. According to the JRMA forecast, the slump in demand emanating from the pandemic will rebound next year, and production volume for new rubber products will rise for the first time in three years. Rubber hose demand for bicycles and high-pressure hoses has risen thanks...
Asahi Kasei Corp. (TYO:3407) has formed an agreement with Singaporean-based Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte. Ltd. regarding the purchase of sustainable butadiene derived from plastic waste and biomass. By the end of fiscal 2021, Asahi Kasei intends to introduce this sustainable butadiene at its synthetic rubber plant in Singapore, as well as use this butadiene here to begin producing and marketing...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) has visited two Tokyo middle schools to hold a class on global communication, showing the students here how the ability to convey their ideas can better enable them to connect with the world. Taking the form of a workshop, the class focused on the importance of improving communication skills in order to better convey meaning. The class...
Demand for Japanese-made rubber belts is projected to rise 8 percent year-on-year to 24,186 tons for 2022, according to a forecast put together by the Japan Belting Manufacturers Association for next year. Out of the 24,186 ton total, domestic demand is set to come to 18,575 tons, up 11 percent year-on-year. Export demand, meanwhile, is expected to come to 5,611...
