Shift in the overseas expansion of the activated carbon fiber business from a China-focused to a Europe- and U.S.-focused approach
First written in FY2018. 1 of 13 entries say "Softened", first in FY2020. Latest entry: FY2026.
No other company in this theme has enough history to compare yet.
- FY2026Strength in water purification applications coexisted with a decline in VOC applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales of VOC removal sheets for air purification applications declined, but sales of the core household water purifier application remained strong both domestically and overseas.」
Compared with the previous expansion of overseas and VOC applications, sales of VOC removal sheets declined in the current fiscal year, while household water purifier applications performed well both domestically and overseas. - FY2025Firm water purification applications coexisted with weak VOC applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales of the core water purification application were firm, but sales of VOC removal sheets for air purification applications were weak, resulting in a slight decline in revenue.」
The core water purification application remained firm, while VOC removal sheets, for which overseas expansion had been pursued, were weak, resulting in divergent trends by application. - FY2025-H1Declining water purification applications coexisted with recovering electronic component applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales of the core water purification application declined due to factors including a decrease in housing starts. Sales for plating-solution filter applications recovered as demand for electronic components recovered.」
Sales of the core water purification application declined due to a decrease in housing starts, while sales for plating-solution filter applications recovered as demand for electronic components recovered. - FY2024Strength in VOC applications coexisted with weakness in water purification applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales of VOC removal sheets for air purification applications were strong, while the core water purification and other applications were weak.」
Air purification and VOC removal applications, including overseas expansion, performed well, while the core water purification and other applications were weak, indicating divergent sales trends by application. - FY2024-Q2Declining domestic sales and weakness in the environmental fieldAnnual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, domestic sales of the core water purifier application declined slightly, while sales in the environmental field also declined due to the impact of lower operating rates at electronic component plants.」
In the activated carbon fiber business, domestic sales of the core water purifier application and sales in the environmental field declined, indicating weakness in domestic and environmental applications separate from progress in overseas expansion. - FY2024-Q1Growth in overseas sales coexisted with weak domestic sales.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, overseas sales grew, but domestic sales did not grow in water purifier applications, the electrical and electronic fields and other areas.」
In the activated carbon fiber business, overseas sales grew, while domestic sales for water purifier applications and in the electrical and electronic fields did not grow, showing the effects of overseas expansion alongside weakness in domestic applications. - FY2023WorsenedAnnual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, performance was weak due to the impact of inventory adjustments in the supply chain for water purifier applications and lower plant operating rates in the electronics field.」
The water purifier application changed from its previous firm performance to weakness due to the impact of inventory adjustments, while the electronics field was also affected by lower plant operating rates. - FY2023-Q3Stagnant demand for water purifier applications and weakness in automotive applicationsAnnual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, demand for the core water purifier application stagnated, and sales for automotive applications also struggled.」
The core water purifier application changed from its previous firm performance to stagnant demand, while weakness in automotive applications continued. - FY2023-Q2Firm water purifier applications coexisted with declining automotive applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales for the core water purifier application were firm, but sales for automotive applications declined.」
While the strength of the water purifier application was maintained, sales for automotive applications declined as a result of China's lockdowns and reduced automobile production. - FY2023-Q1Strength in water purifier applications coexisted with weakness in automotive applications.Annual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales for automotive applications were affected by China's lockdowns and production cuts, while the core water purifier application performed well.」
In the activated carbon fiber business, the water purifier application performed well, while automotive applications were affected by China's lockdowns and production cuts. - FY2022-Q3Growth in sales of water purifiers and environmental applicationsAnnual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, sales for the core water purifier application grew as demand for household water purifiers expanded amid stay-at-home demand and increasing health consciousness. Sales for VOC removal and environmental applications were also firm.」
In the activated carbon fiber business, sales grew against a backdrop of rising demand for household water purifiers, while VOC removal and environmental applications also remained firm. - FY2020SoftenedAnnual report
「The Company is expanding overseas sales for VOC removal applications and developing products to address needs such as odor control.」
Overseas expansion continues, but the previous explicit statement of a regional shift from a China focus to Europe and North America has been dropped, replaced by general wording about overseas expansion and responding to application needs. - FY2018First statedAnnual report
「In the activated carbon fiber business, the Company is expanding sales for water purifier applications, particularly integrated faucet-type products, while shifting its overseas focus from China to Europe and North America and developing new customers. For VOC removal applications, the Company continues to expand overseas, mainly targeting China while also looking to Europe and North America.」
Regarding overseas expansion of activated carbon fiber, the Company newly stated a policy of shifting its focus from China to Europe and North America and developing new customers.