Tokai carbon black results down, set for rebound in ‘26

Tokyo – Tokai Carbon’s carbon black business has reported a weaker 2025 as sales, earnings and volumes dropped year-on-year.

For the full year, the division reported a 6.1% year-on-year decline in sales to Yen147 billion (€798 million) as operating income fell by nearly 40% to Yen13 billion and earnings (EBITDA) decreased 22% to Yen24.6 billion.

Sales decreased due to a drop in volumes, caused mainly by production adjustments among tire manufacturers, as well as lower prices, Tokai reported 13 Feb.

Operating income, meanwhile, decreased primarily due to declining margins and non-recurring losses resulting from the consolidation of Bridgestone’s carbon black subsidiary in Thailand, which were consolidated in the final quarter of 2025. (ERJ report)

For 2026, Tokai expects a recovery both in earnings and sales.

The group expects earnings for the year to reach Yen27 billion, up nearly 10% year-on-year, while revenue is set to grow by over 8% to Yen160 billion.

Meanwhile, operating income is expected to decline 6.1% year-on-year to Yen12.3 billion in 2026.