The supply–demand balance for chloroprene rubber (CR) is tightening worldwide. Japanese CR manufacturers report that they are barely able to keep up with increased demand from existing users, let alone meet new demand. CR’s good balance of physical properties means that this synthetic rubber has found a diverse array of applications. Unable to meet demand despite operating at full capacity,...
Production and shipments for rubber and resin hoses are on an upward trend. Automotive and high-pressure rubber hoses have been solid performers on the back of a recovery in domestic automotive production volume and robust demand for construction equipment and machine tools. Resin hoses and tubes have also been going strong, supported by firm demand from the semiconductor industry. This...
NOK Corp. (TYO:7240) has released its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The major oil seals manufacturer posted net sales of 357.04 billion yen ($3.14 billion), up 6.7 percent year-on-year; operating income of 20.1 billion yen, up 77 percent; ordinary income of 26.6 billion yen, up 175.7 percent; and quarterly net profit of 16.25 billion yen, up 246.1...
Nishikawa Rubber Co. Ltd. (TYO:5161) recently released its business results for the first half of the fiscal year ending March 2018. The company, which manufactures weatherstrips and other auto parts, posted sales of 44.29 billion yen ($390.32 million), up 4.7 percent year-on-year; an operating profit of 3.75 billion yen, down 3.5 percent and an ordinary profit of 4.54 billion yen,...
Nitta Corp. (TYO:5186) has posted record-high sales and profits for the first half (April–September) of the fiscal year ending March 2018. This reflects strong domestic and overseas business results for the company’s mainstay belt and hose business operations, as well as for its air conditioning and device-related products. Total sales for the half were 36.48 billion yen ($319.79 million), up...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.’s (TYO:5110) group company Dunlop Sports Co. Ltd. (TYO:7825) has released consolidated financial results showing an increase in both revenue and profit for the combined first three quarters (January–September) of the fiscal year ending December 2017. For this period, the company reported 55.76 billion yen ($488.91 million) in sales, up 1.8 percent from the same period a...
