The lockdown implemented in Shanghai, China’s largest economic city, had a significant impact on the lives of citizens and supply chains. The impact on the supply chain was particularly large, and the future situation is uncertain. Although the number of infected people has been decreasing due to the Chinese government’s Zero Corona Policy, some are concerned that the lockdown may...
raw materials
Price Hikes Set for Synthetic Rubber, Carbon Black and More
Synthetic rubber, carbon black and a range of other raw materials have entered into a major period of price rises. This comes as price spikes for crude oil and naphtha – as well as the rising costs of distribution – place increasing pressure on companies in the industry. In synthetic rubber, industry leader JSR Corp. (TYO:4185) has announced that it...
Bridgestone Targets Commercial Tire Applications for Plant-Derived Isoprene Rubber
Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) recently announced that it has entered into a joint research project for plant-derived isoprene rubber and its high-performance derivatives, working here on production technologies and practical applications for these materials. Efforts under the project look to establish plant-derived isoprene rubber as a practical, industrialized alternative to the natural rubber and oil-derived synthetic rubber currently used as raw...
JRW Survey: Industry Leaders Raise Concerns Over Raw Material Price Hikes, Labor Shortages
Japan Rubber Weekly recently conducted a survey on business conditions in the rubber and resin industries, targeting 157 major domestic product manufacturers. With 115 of these companies sending back answers, the response rate was 73.2 percent. The results showed that while business conditions are fair, respondents are concerned by labor shortages, surging logistics costs and trends to raw material prices....
Rubber Industry Sees Solid Demand for Raw Materials in First Half
The first half of calendar 2018 has seen robust demand for raw materials in the rubber industry. This comes on the back of recovering applications in automobiles and tires – the main sources of demand for the materials – as well as strong demand for semiconductors. Due to a rise in the cost of crude oil, prices have increased for...
JRW Survey: Rubber, Resin Manufacturers Expect Positive Results for Fiscal 2017
Japan Rubber Weekly conducted a survey among the country’s rubber and resin product manufacturers midway through December 2017, looking to get their respective takes on the current climate of the rubber industry. Of the 169 companies that received the survey, 119 responded, making for a 70.4 percent response rate. When asked how sales will pan out for fiscal 2017, 44.2...