Showa Denko to bring CR subsidiary in-house

TOKYO (Sept. 22)—Japanese chemical producer Showa Denko K.K. will integrate its Showa Denko Elastomers K.K. chloroprene rubber production subsidiary Jan. 1 to facilitate the development of new grades and applications of its Shoprene material to meet growing need for the product. Showa Denko set up the subsidiary last November after it terminated a manufacturing and marketing joint venture with DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. Showa Denko Elastomers operates the group's 20,000-metric-ton-per-year CR facility in Kawasaki, Japan. Showa Denko said Shoprene sales have grown steadily during 2003 because of rising demand in China and Southeast Asian countries. The firm also plans to strengthen its Elaslen chlorinated polyethylene, low-halogen flame-retardant elastomer, and fluorinated rubber operations to support growth of its elastomers and specialty polymers to $87 million by 2005.