TOKYO—Shin-Etsu Chemical's Functional Materials unit has reported a 6-percent year-on-year increase in operating income for the first nine months of its fiscal year to $511.8 million (Yen 78.3 billion).
Sales at the division, which includes the Japan-based group's silicones operations, also increased for the three quarters to end of December 2024 by 5 percent to $2.1 billion, Shin-Etsu reported Jan. 29.
During the period, said Shin-Etsu, the company worked toward increasing prices for silicone products.
"We are making every effort to significantly expand sales of functional and specialty products, which are our strengths, including sales in China," said President Yasuhiko Saitoh.
In addition to functional silicones, the Japanese supplier said it was working toward lowering the environmental impact of its production processes.
The group also is working on products "that precisely meet the customer needs for high-performance products," it added.
Such products will be mainly targeted for automotive, personal care and health care applications, as well as other industries that are currently recovering.
