Zeon elastomers business grows in first quarter

Tokyo – Zeon Corp. has seen a year-on-year 18% rise in elastomers business sales to Yen82,800 million (€631 million) in the first quarter 2017, ended 30 June.

In the three months to end of June,  Zeon said 31 July, segment’s operating income rose 19% to Yen5,400m compared to the same period the previous year.

Rubber sales volumes rose 4% to 84,000 tonnes with the value of Yen34,500m.

The Japanese supplier said general purpose rubber volumes rose 6%, thanks to a 14% growth in exports, while speciality rubber volumes fell 2% on the back of a 3% fall in exports.

For the full year 2017, the company expects its elastomers business to increase sales by 1% to Yen168,000m, while the division’s operating income is expected to fall 4% to Yen19,700m.