Strengthening sales in North America and Europe and expanding production capacity for high-purity chemicals used in semiconductors

「成長戦略では、半導体市場の急速な拡大を踏まえた新たな投資案件検討に着手」

「At the Sanpo Plant site, we had been renewing and consolidating the small- and medium-sized container filling equipment, but completion has been delayed due to defective construction work on the building. Completion is now scheduled for September 2027.」

「The main component was ¥2,434 million in outflows for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, resulting from capital investment including upgrades to production equipment in the semiconductor division related to the high-purity chemicals business.」

「The planned investment totals ¥6.220 billion, of which ¥3.061 billion has already been paid, and is scheduled for completion in March 2026. Following completion, filling capacity for small- and medium-sized containers will improve substantially compared with the current level through the renewal and consolidation of equipment. Capacity will be approximately twice the current 24-hour operating capacity even when operated for 12 hours.」

「In the core semiconductor division of the high-purity chemicals business, shipment volumes increased both in Japan and overseas.」

「The planned investment totals ¥6.220 billion, of which ¥2.361 billion has already been paid, and is scheduled for completion in October 2024. Once completed, the equipment will provide approximately twice the current small- and medium-sized container filling capacity, even when operated for 12 hours rather than the current 24 hours.」

「In the high-purity chemicals business, sales of enriched boron used at nuclear-related facilities increased in the energy division. However, shipments in the core semiconductor division decreased as semiconductor market conditions deteriorated, resulting in net sales of ¥20.059 billion, down 18.8% year on year.」

「In the core semiconductor division, selling prices increased, but shipment volumes declined as semiconductor market conditions deteriorated. In addition, shipments in the energy and industrial hydrofluoric acid divisions declined. As a result, net sales were ¥12.405 billion, down 28.1% year on year.」

「We will seek to expand sales volumes by reorganizing our priority sales regions in response to these changes. At the same time, to differentiate ourselves from competitors and maintain and strengthen our competitiveness, we will promote research and development aimed at resolving issues in advanced fields through technical exchanges with companies in various countries.」

「During the cumulative third quarter of the consolidated fiscal year, shipment volumes in the Semiconductor Division remained at the same level as in the same period of the previous year. However, efforts to pass higher raw material costs through to selling prices resulted in net sales of ¥28,270 million, up 4.2% year on year.」

「In the semiconductor division of the high-purity chemicals business, sales remained firm both in Japan and overseas, and selling prices increased. As a result, net sales were ¥17.263 billion, up 10.4% year on year.」

「In the Semiconductor Division, sales in both domestic and overseas markets increased due to strong global semiconductor demand, resulting in net sales of ¥9,764 million, up 9.8% year on year.」

「During the first 9 months of the fiscal year, sales in the semiconductor and LCD division increased both in Japan and overseas, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors.」

「Sales in both domestic and overseas markets increased in the Semiconductor/LCD Division due to strong global semiconductor demand.」

「In the core Semiconductor/LCD Division, sales to both domestic and overseas markets increased due to strong global semiconductor demand.」

「We are working to further expand sales not only in Japan but also in other regions, including Asia, North America and Europe, and to reduce business risk by improving our supply and sales systems from a global perspective.」

「In addition to working to stabilize supplies to existing customers, we will strengthen our sales strategy for the North American and European markets. Over the medium to long term, after assessing market trends, we will work to expand production capacity, including through large-scale capital investment, with the aim of expanding the business.」