Tokuyama Corp. reported results for the six months ended Sept. 30. Net sales in its chemicals segment rose 0.7% year on year to ¥52.7 billion ($333.6 million), while operating profit plunged 70% to ¥1.6 billion.
The company attributed the decline to weaker earnings from caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl chloride resin, soda ash and calcium chloride. Caustic soda earnings were pressured by lower sales volumes and rising manufacturing costs, while vinyl chloride earnings fell as efforts to adjust domestic prices were offset by higher production expenses. Soda ash and calcium chloride faced higher manufacturing and logistics costs.
The electronic and advanced materials segment saw sales climb 9.3% to ¥46.5 billion, but operating profit dipped 3.1% to ¥6.7 billion. Earnings from semiconductor-grade polycrystalline silicon fell on lower volumes and inventory valuation losses, partly offset by stronger fumed silica and thermal management materials sales.
Life science segment sales surged 50.6% to ¥29 billion and operating profit rose 32% to ¥535 million, helped by dental materials demand and a weak yen. Tokuyama also operates cement and eco-related businesses.
