Asian Markets
August 11, 2025
DIC Announces New Epoxy Resin Plant
DIC to Build New Epoxy Resin Production Facility at Chiba Plant
ECHEMI2025-08-11
DIC Corporation is committed to providing unique solutions in the field of “chemical electronics,” focusing on semiconductor packaging materials and cutting-edge electronic components, anticipating future growth in demand for these materials.
To achieve this goal, DIC has decided to build a new epoxy resin production facility at its Chiba Plant in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. This investment decision reflects the approval by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of this investment plan as a “Plan to Ensure Stable Supply” under the Law on Securing National Security through the Integrated Implementation of Economic Measures, for which DIC expects to receive subsidies of up to 3 billion yen.
Epoxy resin is a highly reactive thermosetting synthetic resin with excellent moldability, heat resistance, electrical insulation, and adhesion properties, and is widely used in various industries.
The existing epoxy resin production facility at the Chiba Plant currently has insufficient capacity to meet the expected growth in demand. Therefore, DIC plans to secure additional epoxy resin production capacity in the medium and long term by constructing new production facilities adjacent to the existing facilities. This facility will also introduce new production processes to achieve world-class quality and higher production efficiency, thereby enhancing its competitiveness.
August 10, 2025
Tosoh Results
Tosoh Corporation Announced its First-quarter Consolidated Results for 2026 Fiscal Year
PUdaily | Updated: August 8, 2025
August 05, 2025, Tokyo, Japan—Tosoh Corporation is pleased to announce its first-quarter consolidated results for its 2026 fiscal year, from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025.
The Company’s net sales decreased ¥7.7 billion (3.1%) year-on-year to ¥245.1 billion (US$1.7 billion), during the first quarter the first three months of the Company’s 2026 fiscal year which extends from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This decrease was attributable to lower naphtha prices and the progressively stronger yen, as well as a decrease in shipment volume resulting from reduced production volume during scheduled maintenance at the Nanyo Complex.
The Company’s consolidated operating income decreased ¥3.7 billion (18.9%) year-on-year to ¥16.1 billion (US$111.2 million), due to unfavorable inventory fluctuations and increased fixed costs, despite sales growth in the Engineering Group and improved terms of trade backed by lower prices in raw materials and fuels, including naphtha and coal. Non-operating income decreased ¥9.5 billion year-on-year due to deterioration in foreign exchange gains and losses.
Ordinary income decreased ¥13.3 billion (48.5%) year-on-year to ¥14.1 billion (US$97.4 million).
Quarterly net income attributable to owners of parent decreased ¥9.7 billion (59.8%) year-on-year to ¥6.5 billion (US$45.2 million).
During the period under review, the United States saw steady growth where the labor market remained firm. In Europe, the economy recovered moderately as inflation eased, while in China, there were signs of improvement supported by policy measures. Due to the impact of the United States’ uncertain tariff policies, the ongoing real estate recession and deflation in China, both the Japanese and overseas economies faced an uncertain outlook and continued to experience challenging conditions.
Chlor-alkali
Chlor-alkali Group net sales decreased ¥9.7 billion (10.5%) year-on-year to ¥82.1 billion (US$567.7 million). Operating income decreased ¥3.2 billion year-on-year, resulting in an operating loss of ¥1.9 billion (US$13.0 million). This was due to unfavorable inventory fluctuations and a decrease in shipments, despite improved terms of trade for caustic soda and MDI backed by lower prices in raw materials and fuels.
Caustic soda shipments decreased due to lower production volume from scheduled maintenance at the Nanyo Complex, but export prices increased as overseas market conditions improved. Vinyl chloride monomer shipments also decreased due to lower production volume from scheduled maintenance at the Nanyo Complex. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin shipments were unchanged year-on-year. Moreover, selling prices of PVC products for overseas markets declined due to weaker overseas market conditions.
Cement shipments decreased due to weak demand, despite an increase in domestic selling prices.
Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) shipments decreased due to lower production volume during scheduled maintenance at the Nanyo Complex. Market conditions for hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) hardeners declined and shipments decreased, reflecting sluggish global demand.
August 10, 2025
Hanwha TDI Update
Hanwha Resumes TDI Production After Temporary Supply Interruption
PUdaily | Updated: August 8, 2025
According to market sources, Hanwha Solutions has completed repair work at its TDI production facilities and is scheduled to resume full operations on August 8. The temporary disruption was caused by a supply interruption from the synthesis gas plant, which resulted in a partial shutdown of the production line.
During this period, approximately 15% of the plant’s production capacity remained operational. Hanwha confirmed that its August sales volume had already been produced and shipped, and with sufficient inventory on hand, there has been no impact on inventory or sales. The company emphasized that the overall impact on business operations was minimal.
August 7, 2025
Hanwha TDI Issues
Hanwha Temporarily Suspends T65 and T100 Production, Repair Expected in 10 Days
PUdaily | Updated: August 7, 2025
According to overseas market sources, Hanwha Solutions has temporarily suspended the production of T65 and T100 due to a leakage detected in the heat exchanger used for freezing TDI 80/20. The repair work is currently underway and is expected to be completed within approximately 10 days. Meanwhile, the T80 production line is also experiencing operational difficulties due to issues at the HYCO plant, which have led to a decrease in operating rates. Hanwha is working to resolve these problems and will provide an update on the expected date of normal operation.
August 6, 2025
Korean Spandex Producer to Exit China
Taekwang Industrial to Withdraw from China, Halts Spandex Operations
PUdaily | Updated: August 6, 2025
Taekwang Industrial has made the final decision to completely halt operations of its Chinese subsidiary, Taekwang Synthetic Fiber (Suzhou), and withdraw from business in China after 20 years of presence. This drastic measure was taken due to global oversupply and weak demand, which resulted in operating losses of 93.5 billion won over the past three years.
Taekwang Industrial announced on July 31 that its board of directors held a meeting on July 30 and resolved to cease operations of Taekwang Synthetic Fiber (Suzhou). The company plans to halt all production at its factories in August and conclude sales activities for inventory disposal by October. Currently, 502 employees work at Taekwang Synthetic Fiber, and the company aims to complete the collection of accounts receivable and terminate employee contracts by the end of the year.
The board of directors also resolved to raise 100 billion won through a rights offering to facilitate the withdrawal from China. The funds will be used to repay loans due to accumulated deficits and for operating capital. A Taekwang Industrial official stated, “The decision to withdraw from China is a measure to prevent further accumulation of losses and strengthen the competitiveness of our core businesses,” adding, “Based on this decision, we will improve management efficiency and accelerate the discovery of new growth engines.”
Taekwang Industrial was the first in Korea to successfully commercialize spandex in 1979. In 2003, when former Chairman Lee Ho-jin was serving as the representative, the company established its Chinese subsidiary and began commercial production in 2005, securing an overseas spandex production base.
Taekwang Synthetic Fiber has been producing 27,000 tons of spandex annually. Since its establishment until last year, it recorded cumulative sales of 2.6143 trillion won and cumulative operating losses of 68.6 billion won. Recently, operating losses reached 93.5 billion won over the past three years, and in the first quarter of this year, it recorded a loss of 7.2 billion won, falling into a state of complete capital impairment with negative total equity.
Everchem Updates Archive 
Sign Up for Email Updates