Kuraray’s Isoprene unit swings to profit on 15% higher sales

Tokyo – Kuraray Co. Ltd has reported first-half sales of Yen46 billion (€247 million) within its Isoprene segment, up 15.0% year-on-year from Yen40 billion.

The segment also swung to an operating profit of Yen1.8 billion, from a loss of Yen1.3 billion in the first half of 2025, an improvement of Yen3.1 billion, said Kuraray 7 Aug.

Kuraray said overall volumes decreased in the Isoprene chemicals and elastomers business as a result of “a pull-forward in demand in the previous year caused by US tariff policies” as well as “stagnant demand for construction applications in China.”

In the US, in particular, Kuraray said elastomer sales volumes increased, but were impacted by “intensified competition with Asian competitors in the European market and other regions”.

Volumes also increased for Genstar thermoplastic elastomers due to higher sales in both electric & electronic and automotive applications.

Overall, Kuraray said, segment operating income increased due to a Yen2.8 billion impact of reduced depreciation and amortisation expenses compared to the previous year and the positive impact of some inventory valuation differences.

Volumes also contributed to a JPY400 million increase in operating income, driven in part by higher sales of Genestar.