Eneos mulls suspending production at ‘synthetic resins’ plant

Tokyo – Eneos Materials Corp. is studying the suspension of production of synthetic resins at its Jushi plant in Japan, due to a wider group restructuring of refinery operations.

The facility, operated by Eneos Materials Crop. subsidiary Nippon Gosei Jushi Co. has the capacity to produce 18 kiltonne per annum (ktpa) of 'neopolymers' and 2ktpa of neoresins, said Eneos in a 26 Feb statement.

According to its website, 'neoresin' is an alicyclic/ aromatic type hydrocarbon resin with main uses in tire treads and rubber compounds.

Neopolymers, are aromatic petroleum resins used in a wide range of fields, including as rubber tackifiers.

Eneos linked the move to a broader decision by Eneos Corp. to reconstruct its petroleum manufacturing and supply system.

The assumption, it said, is that the review would lead to the shutdown of the ethylene production facility at the Kawasaki refinery by the end of fiscal 2027.

As a result, the company said production would no longer be feasible due to shortage of raw materials and even with external procurement.