The total value of hose assembly sales during 2015 was 62.562 billion yen, 5 percent less than the previous year, representing a turn to negative territory after an annual increase in 2014, according to the Japan Hose Coupling Association (JHCA). For December alone, overall sales were down more than 10 percent from December of the previous year.
Products
Resin Belt Production Sluggish
Resin belt production in 2015 was approximately 1.04 million square meters, on a par with the previous period. Demand was stable in the two main segments of food and distribution systems. By product segment, PVC showed a slight increase and polyurethane a slight decrease. All other products showed a double-digit increase.
Rubber Belt Production Falls Below 30,000 Tons—First Time in 5 Years
Japanese rubber belt production in 2015 was around 29,000 tons, marking a 6-percent year-on-year drop to below the 30,000-ton level for the first time in five years, according to statistics compiled by the Japan Belting Manufacturers' Association. Domestic demand held to only a small three-percent decline, but export demand decreased steeply by 15 percent.
![Bando Boosts Seal Blade Coolant Resistance](https://www.japanrubberweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/02/20160220160201-Bando-chemical-600x575-100x100.jpg)
Bando Boosts Seal Blade Coolant Resistance
Major Japanese belt manufacturer Bando Chemical has developed an optimal seal blade for sliding parts in machine tools using a special polyurethane. The blade has improved coolant resistance, durability under fast wiping and wear resistance. The development is based on technology the company has built up over many years related to polyurethane cleaning blades for office automation equipment.
![Kinsei Develops New Perfluoroelastomer Extrusion-Molded Parts](https://www.japanrubberweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/02/20160220160201-Kinsei-rubber-600x511-1-100x100.jpg)
Kinsei Develops New Perfluoroelastomer Extrusion-Molded Parts
Kinsei Rubber has developed perfluoroelastomer extrusion-molded tubes and molding parts with superior resistance to chemicals, oil, and solvents. The products have a wide range of uses including O-rings and boards. The tubes are particularly suited to use with semiconductors and pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.
![Sumitomo Riko Enters Europe’s High-Pressure Hose Market](https://www.japanrubberweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2016/01/20160120160128-Sumitomo-rikoh-600x283-100x100.jpg)
Sumitomo Riko Enters Europe’s High-Pressure Hose Market
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. has concluded an exclusive distributor agreement with Hydroscand AB, a Swedish seller of high-pressure hoses based in Stockholm. The move will enable Sumitomo Riko to expand sales of high-pressure hoses in 43 countries in Europe and elsewhere. This marks the company's first full entry into the industrial hose business's European market.