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Special Update on CR Manufacturers (Part 1)

on December 23, 2015 in Market Background, Materials

Total chloroprene rubber (CR) production remained firm through early autumn. According to Denka Co. Ltd. (TYO:4061), production was somewhat sluggish in part because of a slump in domestic automobile manufacturing volume, although business performance was robust in China. Factors elsewhere in Asia, meanwhile, included weak domestic demand in Thailand, and stabilization at low levels in Europe. Domestic CR operations at...

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Tosoh Focuses on New Applications for Synthetic Rubber

on December 17, 2015 in Materials

Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042) president Kenichi Udagawa said his company’s strategy is to concentrate on developing new applications for chloroprene rubber (CR) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM). Looking ahead, although current low naphtha prices and a weakening yen are in Tosoh’s favor, the environment affecting the company’s various businesses—which includes raw fuel prices, exchange rates, overseas markets and the supply-demand balance—is susceptible...

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Mitsui Chemicals—High Expectations for New EPDM Grade

on December 15, 2015 in Innovation, Materials

Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (TYO:4183) achieved a strong performance in the first half of fiscal 2015 (April–September) for EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) rubber. Contributing factors were a weak yen and low naphtha prices. Shanghai Sinopec Mitsui Elastomers Co. Ltd. (SSME), Mitsui Chemicals’ joint venture for EPDM production in China that went onstream at the end of 2014, started up again in...

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Interview With Zeon—Update on Singapore Plant

on December 14, 2015 in Materials

Hiroyuki Hirakawa, director and senior corporate officer, head of Elastomers and Chemicals Business Headquarters, and division manager–Synthetic Rubber of Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205), commented on the recent state of Zeon Chemicals Singapore Pte. Ltd. He said that the company’s production facilities will be in full operation while addressing the necessary mechanical and equipment issues until the plant is fully ramped up. Hirakawa...

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Interview With Zeon—Acrylic Rubber in Full Production

on December 14, 2015 in Materials

Hiroyuki Hirakawa, director and senior corporate officer, head of Elastomers and Chemicals Business Headquarters, and division manager–Synthetic Rubber, Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205), spoke about his company’s strategy. According to Hirakawa, specialty rubber is Zeon’s mainstay. The company’s acrylic rubber (AR) is in full production. Total output, however, has not been growing as anticipated because the grades with increasing shipment volumes are...

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Asahi Kasei S-SBR Sales Strong

on December 11, 2015 in Materials

Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. sales volume for solution styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) increased over the previous year during the first half of fiscal 2015 (April-September). The Chinese economy and falling automobile sales during the first half had a negative effect on the rubber industry, while Asian tire manufacturers adjusted their production prior to the summer. Even so, an Asahi Kasei...

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