JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) has been working to construct a new plant in Hungary for the production of solution-polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber (S-SBR), managing this through joint venture JSR MOL Synthetic Rubber Ltd. Late April saw the JV complete construction work and move into trial operations. JSR MOL Synthetic Rubber is owned 51 percent by JSR and 49 percent by local firm...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) CEO Masaaki Tsuya is focused in on Europe and the U.S. as two markets for his company to build upon. Tsuya recently sat down to talk with Japan Rubber Weekly and offer his breakdown of the market situations here and what his plans are here for Bridgestone. Tsuya sees Europe as being an important market for his...
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) is working to increase its presence in the European tire market. Currently, the company controls a market share of roughly 3 percent here, but aims are to boost this to 5 percent by 2020–2022. Central to Sumitomo Rubber’s plans are the company’s Turkish plant, which supplies products to the European market. With Sumitomo Rubber opening...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently announced that it has acquired a 100 percent share in the ETB Group, which sells car tires and provides other automotive services across the southwest of the U.K. The share acquisition for this was completed by Bridgestone’s European arm on Sept. 6. The companies have not yet disclosed the amount paid. Looking toward a stronger European...
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) has held a ceremony to formally mark the start of construction on a new R&D center. The facility will be established under SumiRiko AVS Germany GmbH, a subsidiary devoted to the R&D and sales of anti-vibration rubber for vehicles and based in Hesse, Germany. Under construction with a budget of approximately 10 million euros ($11.62...
Nichirin Co. Ltd. (TYO:5184), a manufacturer specializing in automotive hoses, has set up a production technology center within the company’s Himeji Factory. In a recent interview with Japan Rubber Weekly, Nichirin President Ryuichi Maeda said that the company will use the center to tackle innovative manufacturing and develop new production methods. In addition, he said, Nichirin will focus on bolstering...
