Following a resolution by its Board of Directors on 29 August 2025, Zeon Corporation has formally revised the total investment for its upcoming cyclo olefin polymer (COP) production plant. The new total investment is now projected to be approximately JPY 78.0 billion (approximately USD 525.70 million), a significant increase from the initial estimate of approximately YEN 70.0 billion (approximately USD 471.77 million) announced in June 2024.

This upward revision is attributed to anticipated increases across key construction areas, including rising costs for labour, raw materials and equipment. The updated financial framework incorporates both confirmed and projected cost escalations to ensure accurate budgeting. Zeon Corporation intends to fund the entire investment through a combination of internally generated capital and loans from financial institutions.

The new facility remains on schedule for completion in the first half of fiscal year 2028. Due to this timeline, the substantial investment is not expected to materially affect the company's consolidated financial results for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026. The project is a central pillar of the company’s medium-term business strategy, identified as a major future growth driver.

The decision to proceed with the plant underscores the strong market outlook for Zeon’s cyclo olefin polymers. These advanced materials are prized for their superior optical clarity, extremely low water absorption and high purity. While already established in applications like optical films and lenses, demand is growing rapidly from the medical and semiconductor industries. By expanding its production capacity, Zeon aims to capitalise on this robust and expanding demand, thereby strengthening its market position and enhancing its corporate value over the medium to long term.

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Zeon Corporation has deepened its commitment to digital chemistry through a strategic investment and partnership with Chemify Limited, secured via its corporate venture arm Zeon Ventures Inc. Chemify, a growth-stage UK enterprise, is reshaping molecular research by integrating digital tools with automated laboratory systems. Its proprietary Chemputation technology translates molecular targets into executable chemical code, which operates directly on robotic platforms to complete integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze cycles without manual intervention. This closed-loop automation allows Chemify to explore previously inaccessible areas of chemical space while reducing the timeline from concept to synthesized compound by up to tenfold.

A cornerstone of Chemify’s capability is its recently inaugurated Chemifarm in Glasgow – one of the most sophisticated automated facilities in the world for molecular design and construction. The facility enables accelerated iteration and autonomous synthesis of novel small molecules, converting chemical code into tangible compounds with unprecedented efficiency. These advances are critical for developing functional, synthesisable molecules that can contribute solutions to urgent global issues spanning public health, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Zeon has been at the forefront of adopting digital methodologies in chemical R&D, recognising their transformative potential from an early stage. This investment is positioned to strengthen Zeon’s internal digital chemistry efforts and catalyse the invention of novel materials capable of addressing complex societal needs. The move aligns with Zeon’s STAGE30 corporate strategy, which targets a rise in revenue contribution from four key growth sectors – Mobility, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Green Transformation – to 48 percent by fiscal 2028. By backing pioneering enterprises and cultivating advanced materials, Zeon continues to advance its dual vision of a sustainable planet and a secure, progressive society.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced the opening of an application window for financial aid for sulphur dusting to combat powdery mildew disease in rubber plantations for the year 2026. The scheme is open to all Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) operating in both traditional and non-traditional growing regions.

From 10 to 20 February 2026, eligible societies must submit their applications online through the 'ServicePlus' portal on the official Rubber Board website. Societies requiring help with the submission process are advised to contact their nearest Rubber Board regional office or field station, or to consult the board's website for further guidance.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has welcomed the official recognition by French authorities on 17 January 2026, which classifies tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a legitimate raw material for the chemical sector. This pivotal regulatory milestone for pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres substantially enhances the product’s integration into established chemical value chains. It also provides greater predictability for future purchase and partnership frameworks, thereby accelerating the development of industrial material cycles.

For Pyrum, which processes scrap tyres through pyrolysis to recover pyrolysis oil, industrial carbon black and steel, this decision underscores the critical need for standardised and reliable regulatory conditions. Such clarity is fundamental for scaling investments, production volumes and supply chains, particularly as the chemical industry and circular economy converge. The establishment of clear product categories is essential to ramp up the market for high-quality recycled raw materials.

The company remains committed to tracking further developments in France and the wider European dialogue regarding the classification and application of recycled feedstocks. Pyrum’s overarching objective is to expand industrial-scale recycling solutions for scrap tyres. This regulatory progress directly supports the company’s mission to secure long-term, quality-assured supply agreements with partners across the chemical industry, thereby advancing a more sustainable and circular economic model.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The decision in France is an important step for the industrial use of pyrolysis oil from waste tyres. It supports a trend that we are seeing in many markets, where the chemical industry is seeking reliable, technologically robust and clearly classified alternative raw materials.”

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In pursuit of its strategic vision, ‘Michelin in Motion 2030’, Michelin is expanding into high-value adjacent markets, including the development of its Polymer Composite Solutions. A key step in this growth is the acquisition of Flexitallic, a global leader in sealing solutions based in Houston, Texas. This move is set to substantially enhance Michelin’s sealing portfolio and extend its market access, particularly within the aftermarket sector.

Flexitallic serves critical industries such as energy and chemicals, providing high-performance gaskets, sheet products and specialty filler materials known for exceptional reliability and resistance in extreme, safety-critical environments. The company, which operates 17 facilities worldwide and employs about 1,200 people, reported sales of approximately USD 220 million in 2025.

The acquisition is a strong strategic fit, uniting two global organisations with a shared commitment to innovation and quality, thereby creating significant synergies for future growth. The transaction, for an undisclosed amount, will be fully financed from Michelin’s available cash. Subject to standard regulatory approvals and closing adjustments, it is anticipated to be finalised in the first half of 2026.

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