Asahi Kasei reports firm sales of tire rubber

Tokyo – Asahi Kasei reported on 5 Nov a 6.3=percent year-on-year rise in net profits for the fiscal first half, ended 30 Sept, at ¥49.52 billion (€346.5 million). First-half sales increased 5.2 percent to ¥966.9 billion.

For its performance polymer business, Asahi’s official press release said it had firm sales of engineering plastics and of synthetic rubber for fuel-efficient tires. However, overseas sales were low as market prices for synthetic rubber for other applications were poor.

The company noted that despite its sales increase, its operating income dropped in the first fiscal half.