Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) announced on March 7 that it has inked a joint venture agreement with Sumitomo Corp. (TYO:8053) and Thai-based PTT Global Chemical PCL (PTTGC) for a butadiene derivative business. The three companies began detailed feasibility studies in September 2016. Ahead of the final decision on investment, they signed an agreement to hold further discussions and to file...
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) and chemical products manufacturer Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) have announced that they will donate aid to the victims of the recent hurricanes in the U.S. Bridgestone, and its U.S. subsidiary Bridgestone Americas Inc., will donate $1 million to the American Red Cross in order to support those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Meanwhile, Kuraray will donate...
Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) said that Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) has adopted liquid farnesene rubber (LFR) as a performance enhancing additive in the production of its latest winter tire, the Winter Maxx 02. This is the first time that LFR is used in car tires. LFR is a liquid rubber developed by Kuraray using farnesene, a new biologically derived...
The Isoprene Chemicals (IPC) division of Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) has posted a year-on-year 0.2-percent increase on operating profit for 2016, at 6.934 billion yen ($60.53 million). The modest increase comes on a 7.1-percent decline in year-on-year sales, at 51.083 billion yen. Despite performing strongly with fine chemicals, thermoplastic elastomers and liquid rubber, the division struggled with its heat-resistant polyamide...
Kuraray Co. Ltd. (TYO:3405) has announced that it will raise the prices of its TU-Polymer and hydrogenated styrene elastomers Septon and Hybrar by 25 cents per kilogram worldwide effective for shipments from Feb. 1, 2017. Regarding this price increase, Kuraray said that market conditions for major raw materials continue to rise dramatically and manufacturing costs – including utility costs –...
Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108), is launching a new series of Tour B products under the Bridgestone Golf brand that are designed for athletic golfers. Bridgestone Sports launched the Bridgestone Golf Tour B330 golf ball series in March, followed by the Bridgestone Golf Tour B V10 golf ball series in April. Tour B clubs are...
