Tosoh reports ‘start of recovery’ at chloroprene rubber business

Tokyo — Tosoh Corp. has reported increased shipments of its chloroprene rubber (CR) materials in a consolidated results statement for the three months to 30 June.

Petrochemicals division, which includes CR production, posted a 1.7% year-on-year increase in sales to Yen50 billion (€311 million) during the group’s fiscal first quarter.

Operating income of the segment rose 12.5% year-on-year to Yen3.3 billion, “due chiefly to an increase in sales volume for chloroprene rubber," Tosoh reported 2 Aug.

“Shipments of chloroprene rubber increased as demand started to recover, but export prices fell amid weak market conditions,” the Japanese supplier commented.

In addition to CR, the petrochemicals division unit also produces ethylene, propylene, and cumene, which reported declines in volumes for the period.