Denka expects global demand for chloroprene rubber (CR) to keep up growth of several percent per year going forward. And as part of this, dry CR products are focused on the shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), with an understanding that this will see some products rise while others fall. Elsewhere, belts and other such industrial applications are expected to maintain...
Materials
Sumitomo Rubber Succeeds in Experiment to Improve Natural Rubber
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, in collaboration with partners including Tohoku University, Kanazawa University and Saitama University, has succeeded in an experiment leading to the improvement of natural rubber varieties. The experiment identified the section of a natural rubber synthesizing enzyme that is important for controlling the chain length of natural rubber. By incorporating the section into an enzyme derived from tomatoes,...
Kuraray to Raise Prices for Elastomer Products
Kuraray said that it will be raising prices on its hydrogenated styrenic elastomers Septon, Hybrar, and TU-Polymer. Set to come into effect on July 15, the global price hike will see prices here rise by $0.33 per kilogram. The rising costs, including main raw materials, utilities, and logistics costs related to the products in question, have exceeded the scope of...
Kraton to Raise Japanese Prices on SEBS and SEPS Polymers
The Japanese arm of Kraton Corp. announced on June 21 that it will be raising prices on its Kraton G SEBS and SEPS offerings, both types of hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer. Set to come into effect on July 15, the price hike will see prices here rise by 45 yen ($0.33) per kilogram. Commenting on the move, Kraton noted a...
Zeon to Raise Synthetic Rubber, Latex Prices
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) plans to raise its prices for synthetic rubber and synthetic latex beginning with July 1 deliveries. The price of ESBR synthetic rubber is to be increased by 20 yen ($0.15) per kilogram; BR, by 35 yen; NBR and PB, each by 50 yen; and ECO, by 90 yen. The CM price will be revised in accordance with...
Bando Chemical Sees Sales Revenue Rise 15.2% for FY2021
Bando Chemical Industries Ltd. has released its business results for fiscal 2021, revealing growth in both revenue and income. The company’s sales revenue reached 93.74 billion yen, up 15.2 percent year-on-year; and its core operating income came to 5.88 billion yen, up 19.1 percent. Taking a deeper look at the results, Bando Chemical’s auto parts business saw its sales revenue...