Japanese producers of carbon masterbatch (CMB) have seen an uptick in performance over recent years, highlighting good conditions in the local industry for rubber refining. However, developments in 2019 have raised concerns over the current direction of the market. Looking at the figures of 24 companies under the Japan Polymer Mixing Manufacturers Association (JPMA), CMB production trended upward for 2017,...
TPR Co. Ltd. (TYO:6463), a producer of piston rings, cylinder liners and other key components for internal combustion engines, recently announced that it will acquire carbon masterbatch maker Nobukawa Co. Ltd. as a wholly owned subsidiary on Dec. 13. The move is part of an overall plan by TPR to diversify its operations by moving into the manufacturing and marketing...
Carbon masterbatch manufacturer Zeon Polymix Inc., a group company of Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205), plans to position its main factory in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, as a mother factory that provides support to its other bases, said President Toshiaki Saya in an interview with Japan Rubber Weekly. Saya, who took over the helm on June 20, said that the Otsu factory will...
Elastomix Co. Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of major synthetic rubber manufacturer JSR Corp. (TYO:4185), has announced plans to establish a new company in Mexico for carbon masterbatch (CMB) manufacturing. Commercial production is slated to begin in 2018. Mexico is a major exporter to the North American automotive market. Elastomix aims to expand by establishing a manufacturing hub in the region...
