Japan’s chemical industry has now seen all of its major players release their business results for fiscal 2017. And with petrochemical market prices at a high and price spreads growing,...
Shin-Etsu Chemical
Chemical Industry Grapples With Rising Yen, Shale Influx
Fiscal 2018 is under way. Accounts have been settled for fiscal 2017, and as of this February all of Japan’s major chemical companies are expecting to see record highs on...
Shin-Etsu to Boost PVC Production in US
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) is moving to increase its production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the U.S. The Japanese chemical giant’s subsidiary and major PVC manufacturer Shintech Inc. has...
Hurricane Harvey’s Impact Extends to Japanese Firms
Japanese chemical companies operating in Texas and nearby localities are feeling the impact from Hurricane Harvey’s rampage through the southern U.S. as they shut down facilities in the area. Harvey’s...
Major Chemical Companies Achieve Soaring Profits on Back of Favorable Petrochemical Market – Part 1
Major Japanese chemical companies have released their financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2017, with each reporting an increase in net profit. Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042) and Mitsui Chemicals...
Silicon Wafer Supplies Stay Tight in Lieu of Price Hikes
Supplies remain tight for silicon wafers, the base materials used to produce semiconductors. They were shipped in record numbers in 2016 due to growing demand for semiconductors used in smartphones,...
Four Major Chemical Companies Anticipate Record Profits for Fiscal 2016
Eight major chemical companies have announced their earnings for April through December 2016. Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042) and Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (TYO:4183) recorded healthy profits as a result of robust earnings...
Digest: Chemical Price Hike Announcements for Week of Jan. 30 – Part 1
A series of price hikes were announced by chemical companies during the week of Jan. 30 – Feb. 3. As with the second installment in this two-part special, unless noted...
Commentary: Heavy Demand for Silicon Wafers Leads to Possibility of Price Increases
The supply–demand balance for silicon wafers is tight at present. Demand has increased considerably not only for logic and memory technologies, but also for sensors and other parts related to...
Caustic Soda Prices in Japan Show Rising Momentum
Japan is approaching an upward phase in caustic soda prices. As the balance between caustic soda supply and demand has been tightening within Asian markets, prices have been rising overseas,...
Bulk Chemicals Drive Higher Profits in April–September Reports by Major Manufacturers
Seven major chemical companies simultaneously announced earnings for April through September 2016. Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. (TYO:4188), Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4005) and Asahi Kasei Corp. (TYO:3407), the top three...
Shin-Etsu Chemical to Build New Functional Silane Factory in Naoetsu
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) announced on Oct. 27 that it will invest 2.3 billion yen ($21.93 million) to construct a new functional silane factory at the company’s Naoetsu Plant in...
