Denka says demand remains ‘weak’ for chloroprene rubber

Tokyo – Denka Co. Ltd has seen continued ‘weak demand’ for chloroprene rubber (CR) in the first three quarters of fiscal 2024, ending 31 March.

For the nine months to end of December 2024, the elastomer and infrastructure solutions division, which includes the production of CR, cement additives and cement, posted sales of Yen84.4 billion (€525 million), down 1.6% year-on-year.

Segment operating loss came in at Yen5.6 billion yen, down from a loss of Yen5.5 billion reported the year before.

Here, Denka said, demand for CR was sluggish, and sales volume was at the same level as the same period last year.

CR sales prices, said the Japanese group, fell due to stronger competition, adding that price hikes introduced in September last year are expected to help improve the situation.