Japan’s Zeon Corp has established a new research facility at its Zeon Chemicals Yonezawa site to develop plant-based production processes for synthetic rubber raw materials as it accelerates efforts to decarbonise its operations and support a circular economy.

The new lab will focus on advancing biofermentation and chemical reaction technologies to produce butadiene and isoprene—key building blocks for synthetic rubber—directly from plant-derived feedstocks.

“This facility will accelerate the development of biotechnology to produce butadiene and isoprene directly... to contribute to the realisation of a circular economy,” the Tokyo-based company said.

The initiative is part of Zeon’s “STAGE30” medium-term business plan, which includes a target to cut group-wide carbon dioxide emissions by 42 percent by fiscal 2030 from 2020 levels. The company has made “Promoting a transformation of monozukuri to realise carbon neutrality and a circular economy” its top strategic priority under the plan.

The research centre, completed on 23 May, spans 590.34 square metres and features laboratories with local exhaust ventilation alongside office and meeting spaces. Yamagata Prefecture partially funded it under its Business Location Promotion Subsidy Programme.

The project is also supported by Japan’s Green Innovation Fund, run by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which backs long-term industrial decarbonisation initiatives. Zeon is collaborating with Yokohama Rubber Co and several academic institutions on two key development themes, including the use of plant-based and sustainable materials for producing rubber intermediates.

Zeon said it aims to commercialise the technology for producing butadiene and isoprene from plant sources by 2034.

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Kraton Corporation, a global leader in speciality polymers and renewable biomaterials, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, Innovating with Purpose. The report outlines the company’s advancements in climate action, circular product solutions and supply chain sustainability, reinforcing its commitment to a greener future.

Key achievements include a 41 percent reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions since 2014, a 35 percent decrease in emissions intensity and maintaining EcoVadis’ Platinum rating for the fourth straight year. Kraton also received the 2024 Nitto Supplier Sustainability Award and conducted a Double Materiality Assessment to refine its ESG strategy.

Operational milestones feature a USD 35 million upgrade to its Florida biorefinery, expanded lifecycle assessment (LCA) data covering 90 percent of its product portfolio and a new data excellence programme to enhance ESG transparency.

Aligned with GRI, SASB, UN Global Compact and TCFD frameworks, the report emphasises Kraton’s sustainability pillars: Reliable Partnerships, Planetary Stewardship and Empowering People. These efforts reflect the company’s dedication to responsible innovation and measurable environmental progress.

Marcello Boldrini, CEO, Kraton, said, “2024 marked a pivotal year in Kraton’s sustainability journey. We turned ambition into action, significantly reducing our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 41 percent from our 2014 baseline and earned an EcoVadis Platinum rating for the fourth consecutive year. We accelerated our decarbonisation strategy, advanced biobased innovation and partnered with customers such as WJ Group and Henkel to help address global sustainability challenges. As demand for sustainable chemicals grows, our focus remains on developing the right solutions, fostering strong partnerships and cultivating the culture necessary to lead this transformation responsibly and competitively.”

Rogier Roelen, Chief Sustainability Officer, Kraton, said, “We have established new processes to scale credible, data-driven sustainability across our business. In 2024, we enhanced our ESG reporting through a data harmonisation programme and completed a Double Materiality Assessment to better align with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We also expanded our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data to cover almost 90 percent of our product portfolio, providing customers with greater transparency into the environmental impact of our products. These efforts reinforce our ability to identify where we can make the most impact and support more informed, strategic decision-making.”

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The German rubber industry is undergoing significant shifts, according to the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) in its mid-2025 economic report. While order trends show improvement for the first time in years, domestic production continues to struggle, reflecting broader structural challenges.

High energy costs, excessive bureaucracy and rising labour expenses remain persistent hurdles, particularly for globally competitive firms. Although rising orders may boost annual sales slightly compared to 2024, domestic output is expected to decline by one percent. Many companies are relocating production abroad due to Germany’s worsening cost disadvantages.

The federal government’s ‘investment booster’ initiative has failed to inspire confidence, with only 27 percent of industry leaders anticipating positive effects. wdk President Michael Klein described this as an alarming sign, emphasising that businesses lack faith in current economic policies. He urged immediate relief measures rather than delayed solutions.

Klein also stressed the need for inclusive policymaking, criticising the government’s focus on large corporations while neglecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He warned that without targeted support for these critical players, Germany risks losing its status as a key industrial hub for the rubber sector. The call for urgent action highlights growing concerns over the industry’s future viability in the country.

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Kuraray Co., Ltd., a global leader in speciality chemical, fibre and resin production, has unveiled its newly redesigned corporate website. This renewal aligns with the company’s ongoing five-year medium-term management plan, PASSION 2026 (2022–2026), and supports its Digital Transformation (DX) Vision to enhance competitiveness, foster continuous evolution and operate as a digitally adept global enterprise. As part of its customer experience (CX) reform, the updated website features several key improvements.

The domains for the Japanese (kuraray.co.jp) and English (kuraray.com) pages have been consolidated under a single URL, kuraray.com. The redesign prioritises improved readability and usability across devices, including smartphones and tablets. Additionally, Kuraray has strengthened web accessibility, ensuring seamless access for all users, regardless of ability, age or browsing environment.

Looking ahead, Kuraray plans to integrate key domestic and international Group websites under the kuraray.com domain, reinforcing its ‘One Kuraray’ initiative for unified global communication.

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HANWA THAILAND CO., LTD., a subsidiary of Japan’s HANWA CO., LTD., has acquired a partial stake in PYRO ENERGIE CO., LTD., a Thailand-based company specialising in tyre pyrolysis recycling. This strategic move addresses the persistent global issue of end-of-life tyres and manufacturing defects, which often lead to environmental harm through illegal disposal or landfill accumulation. While HANWA Group already supplies tyre chips as an eco-friendly fuel source to Japanese industries, pyrolysis has emerged as a preferred recycling solution in global markets.

The pyrolysis process thermally decomposes waste tyres in an oxygen-deprived environment, yielding reusable materials like pyrolysis oil and carbon residue. These outputs serve as valuable fuel alternatives or raw materials for tyre production and other industrial uses, advancing decarbonisation goals. By partnering with PYRO, HANWA seeks to enhance the commercial viability of pyrolysis-derived products and establish an international supply chain in cooperation with tyre manufacturers. The resulting materials will support the chemical, synthetic rubber and tyre industries, promoting a circular economy.

Both HANWA and HANWA THAILAND hold ‘ISCC PLUS’ and ‘ISCC EU’ certifications, underscoring their commitment to sustainable practices. The group remains dedicated to expanding its portfolio of certified recycled and biomass products, reinforcing its role in building a decarbonised future.

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