In August, Sumitomo Rubber opened a new research hub, the Sumitomo Rubber Innovation Base Sapporo, within Hokkaido University’s Data-driven Research and Development Center for Emergent Systems (D-RED). At this hub, the company will promote research and practical applications of advanced technologies such as Physical AI, which makes autonomous decisions and actions in the real world. The initiative takes on the...
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Kuraray Reports Lower Sales and Profits in First Half
Kuraray announced results for the first half of fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Consolidated net sales came to 399.95 billion yen ($2.70 billion), down 2.7% year on year. Operating income fell 42.2% to 26.26 billion yen, ordinary income dropped 51.7% to ¥21.28 billion, and net income declined 53.9% to 14.04 billion yen. In segment performance, the isoprene business recorded...
Japan Belting Industry Association Releases First-Half Sales Breakdown
The Japan Belting Industry Association recently announced the sales breakdown by end-use industry for conveyor belts and resin belts during the first half of 2025 (January–June). For conveyor belts, Japanese domestic sales accounted for 85.8% of the total on a value basis, down 7% year on year. Exports made up 14.2% of the total, but sales dropped sharply, down 59%...
Odaka Rubber Sees Demand Potential from U.S. Steel Acquisition
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Odaka Rubber Industries posted higher sales and profits compared with the previous year. Although sales of winding cores for film products were sluggish, sales of rolls for steelmaking—accounting for about 70% of total revenue—remained firm. The steady replacement of existing products with higher-value-added alternatives drove operating profit growth of roughly 15%. Despite...
Top Interview: President Tomio Ueno of Bando Chemical
In an interview with Tomio Ueno, President of Bando Chemical, we discussed the company’s current business performance, the progress of its medium- to long-term management plan Creating New Value for the Future 1st Stage (CV-1), and the status of its overseas production bases. Regarding the situation overseas, Ueno explained that market conditions in Asia vary by country and timing. India,...
Sumitomo Rubber to Fully Expand Dunlop Brand Overseas
Sumitomo Rubber will accelerate the rollout of its Dunlop brand tire products in Europe, North America, and Australia. Since dissolving its global alliance with Goodyear in 2015, the company had been unable to use the Dunlop brand in those regions and instead focused on expanding the Falken brand. However, in May 2025, Sumitomo Rubber acquired the Dunlop trademark rights for...

