Recently, Japan's two major rubber production giants, Asahi Kasei Group and Rayon Company, have announced price increases plans to cope with the sharp rise in raw materials and production costs. This decision is expected to have a certain impact on the global rubber market.
According to an official announcement by Japan's Asahi Kasei Group, due to significant increases in material and production costs, the company decided to adjust the price of its synthetic rubber products starting from June 1. Specifically, the price of butadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber (including oil-extended and non-oil-extended types) will increase by 45 yen/kg or more. This price increase is a decision made by Asahi Kasei in response to the rise in the cost of raw and auxiliary materials last year and once again facing global inflationary pressure.
According to the Carbon Black Industry Network, in addition to Asahi Kasei, another Japanese rubber production giant, Rayon, also recently announced a price increase plan. Rion said it will increase the prices of various synthetic rubber products including butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, etc. starting from June 1. In addition, polyacrylate rubber, HNBR(Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber) and other specialty rubber products will also undergo price increases to varying degrees. Rion explained that this price adjustment was mainly due to the increase in manufacturing facility management costs, especially the increase in labor costs. Although the company has been working hard to reduce various costs, in the face of the current economic situation, it is difficult to maintain the original price level solely through internal efforts.
