Zeon Corporation, which recently announced its plan to shut down 60% of its synthetic rubber production facilities at its Tokuyama Plant from fiscal 2026 onward, has decided to restructure its portfolio, including the construction of a new cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) plant. To learn more about these plans, Japan Rubber Weekly sat down with Kazuyoshi Matsuura, director and senior corporate officer,...
Hiromu Saito, a professor from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), was recently inaugurated as the new president of the Society of Rubber Science and Technology, Japan (SRIJ). Commenting on his thoughts here, Saito said that it will be necessary to watch out for and prepare for risks created by factors such as changing international standards. So for...
After taking a hit from COVID-19, Gates Unitta Asia Co. (GUA) now sees signs of recovery as it heads into the third quarter of the calendar year. Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down with Shuji Miyamoto, who serves as VP at the auto parts supplier, to get some insight into the company’s business results, overseas performance and management strategies. Miyamoto...
Facing a tough market and a need for innovation, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has been making a range of moves to solidify its business foundations and pave the path for future growth. Company president Naoki Miyazaki recently sat down with Japan Rubber Weekly to give some insight into these plans. To begin with, Miyazaki noted that 2019 saw Toyoda...
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) has set its sights on having speciality products make up a larger proportion of its elastomers business going forward. Company president Kimiaki Tanaka took some time out recently to speak with Japan Rubber Weekly about these plans. Tanaka noted that in its business for elastomer materials, Zeon recently started up a new Thai plant for acrylic rubber....
Sitting down for a recent interview with Japan Rubber Weekly, Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) President Naoki Miyazaki said that the automotive industry is entering a massive, once-in-a-century turning point. Such a shake-up to business is an opportunity for growth, he said. Miyazaki spoke on the impact of electrification and Toyoda Gosei’s strategy to deal with it, saying that although...
