JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) is looking to set a new record high profit in fiscal 2024 as part of its latest medium-term management policy, which lays out plans and targets through to that same year. On the topic of JSR’s future business portfolio, the new management policy looks to position digital solutions – especially for semiconductors – and life sciences as...
Materials
Supply–Demand Balance Tightens in Japan’s EPDM Rubber Market
Japan’s market for ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is tightening due to a number of factors, with trends in the COVID-19 pandemic top among this list. While demand for EPDM rubber did decline as a result of the virus, it has more recently been making a resurgence due to the turnaround in automotive production recovery that started last autumn. And...
JSR to Seek Early Retirement by Elastomers Workers 40 and Over With Three-Plus Years’ Employment
JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) plans to solicit early retirement among about 100 employees in its elastomers business. Seeking to make the change to a more robust business structure, JSR is optimizing its production capacity and product portfolio, rationalizing prices and working to bring about major improvements in its operating efficiency. The company is also implementing unlimited structural reforms throughout its organization,...
Shin-Etsu Chemical to Hike Prices on Silicone Products Starting Next Month
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) recently announced that it is planning to increase the price of all of its silicone products. This price hike will come into effect starting with shipments made in April, and will see prices rise by 10–20 percent. Commenting on the price increase, Shin-Etsu Chemical noted how the cost of silicon metal – the main raw...
Dow Chemical Japan Plans Price Hike for Propylene Glycol Ether
Dow Chemical Japan Ltd. is set to raise prices by 50 yen ($0.47) per kilogram on its propylene glycol ether products. This will come into effect from March 8 shipments onward. Commenting on the decision, Dow Chemical Japan noted how while raw material costs for propylene glycol ether continue to surge, the global supply–demand balance for the product is tightening,...
Denka Takes Hit to Sales Results Despite Recovery for Chloroprene Rubber
Denka Co. Ltd. (TYO:4061) has released its business results for the first three quarters of fiscal 2020. The company revealed sales revenue of 261.99 billion yen ($2.51 billion) for the April–December period, down 9.2 percent year-on-year; an operating income of 28.03 billion yen, up 16.7 percent; an ordinary income of 27.3 billion yen, up 20.2 percent; and a net income...