Tosoh strengthens production system for bio-composite chloroprene rubber grades
4 Nov 2025
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Company expands SG series output to meet expected rise in demand
Tokyo – Tosoh Corp. has strengthened the production system for its SG series of composite-grade chloroprene rubber, which incorporates biomass-derived cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as a reinforcing agent.
Tosoh started the production of Skyprene SG series in March 2024 at its chloroprene rubber plant in the Nanyo complex in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.
In a 30 Oct statement, the Japanese group said it has now completed modifications to enable manufacturing in standard commercial lot sizes, “in anticipation of heightened demand” for the environmentally friendly product.
Commercial operation of the upgraded production line is now in place following completion of work earlier in June.
According to Tosoh, the use of CNF reduces the amount of fossil fuel-based reinforcing agents typically required in chloroprene rubber production.
Tosoh said the shift is intended to cut CO2 and related emissions associated with the material.
Chloroprene rubber is used in automotive components, industrial rubber parts, cables, adhesives, gloves and other applications that require resistance to weathering, oil and flames.
Tosoh said expanding SG series capacity forms part of its efforts to promote wider adoption of lower-impact materials and support longer-term carbon-neutral targets.
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