Increasing production of Kunipia-Smekton and developing new markets
First written in FY2016. 15 of 35 entries say "Worsened", first in FY2019-Q1. Latest entry: FY2026.
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- FY2026WorsenedAnnual report
「Although demand increased mainly for Kunipia in cosmetic and household-product applications, demand for exports for general industrial applications declined, and inventory valuation losses, including the disposal of off-specification products, also weighed on results, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,788 million, down 1.1% year on year, and segment profit was ¥167 million, down 7.9%.」
Although demand increased for cosmetic and household-product applications, the clay science business reported lower revenue and profit due to declining export demand for Kunipia for general industrial applications and inventory valuation losses arising from the disposal of off-specification products and other factors. - 2026-05-08WorsenedEarnings
「Although demand for Kunipia in cosmetics and household products increased in Japan and overseas, demand for exports for general industrial applications declined. In addition, the impact of inventory write-downs due to the disposal of off-specification products resulted in lower revenue and profit.」
Despite higher demand for cosmetics and household applications, the Clay Science business reported lower revenue and profit because of weaker export demand for general industrial applications and inventory write-downs. - FY2026-H1WorsenedAnnual report
「Revenue declined mainly because of the impact of lower demand for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export. As a result, segment revenue was ¥883 million, down 13.1% year on year, and segment profit was ¥81 million, down 58.1%.」
Due to declining export demand for Kunipia, revenue and profit in the clay science business, which is targeted for increased production and new-market development, were both below the same period of the previous year. - FY2025-H1AdvancedAnnual report
「In addition to the recovery in demand for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, the effects of price revisions implemented across various fields since the previous fiscal year resulted in higher revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,016 million, up 31.4% year on year, and segment profit was ¥193 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥22 million in the same period of the previous year.」
The recovery in export demand for Kunipia and price revisions substantially improved revenue and profit in the clay science business, including specialty chemicals, indicating progress in performance related to increased production and new-market development. - FY2024Price revisions lifted revenue, but higher costs caused a sharp decline in profitAnnual report
「Although demand for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications declined, revenue increased slightly as price revisions progressed from the second half onward. Profit declined sharply due to higher manufacturing costs. As a result, revenue in this field was ¥1,372 million, up 2.7% year on year, and operating profit was ¥34 million, down 68.0%.」
Price revisions partially offset the decline in export demand, resulting in a 2.7% increase in revenue, while operating profit fell 68.0% due to higher manufacturing costs. - FY2024-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In addition to lower demand for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, higher manufacturing costs resulted in a substantial decrease in both revenue and profit. As a result, revenue in this field was ¥960 million, down 6.3% year on year, and operating loss was ¥20 million, compared with operating profit of ¥107 million in the same period of the previous year.」
Due to declining export demand for Kunipia and higher manufacturing costs, revenue in the fine chemicals field fell 6.3%, and the business moved from an operating profit in the same period of the previous year to an operating loss. Performance related to increased production and new-market development deteriorated. - FY2024-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In addition to lower demand for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, higher manufacturing costs resulted in a substantial decrease in both revenue and profit. As a result, revenue in this field was ¥281 million, down 12.9% year on year, and operating loss was ¥52 million, compared with operating profit of ¥40 million in the same period of the previous year.」
Due to declining export demand for Kunipia and higher manufacturing costs, revenue in the fine chemicals field fell 12.9% and the business recorded an operating loss of ¥52 million. Performance related to increased production and new-market development deteriorated. - FY2023WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications declined, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,501 million, down 15.2%, and segment profit was ¥102 million, down 62.1%.」
The decline in export demand for Kunipia for general industrial applications continued throughout the year, resulting in a 15.2% decline in revenue and a 62.1% decline in segment profit for the specialty chemicals business. - FY2023-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand declined across various areas, mainly for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,145 million, down 16.4% year on year, and segment profit was ¥103 million, down 57.5%.」
Demand continued to decline in the specialty chemicals business, mainly for exports of Kunipia, resulting in a 16.4% decline in revenue and a 57.5% decline in segment profit. Performance related to increased production and new-market development continued to deteriorate. - FY2023-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand declined across various areas, mainly for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥777 million, down 14.0% year on year, and segment profit was ¥95 million, down 34.7%.」
Demand declined in the specialty chemicals business, mainly for exports of Kunipia, resulting in a 14.0% decline in revenue and a 34.7% decline in segment profit. Performance related to increased production and new-market development deteriorated. - FY2023-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand declined across various areas, mainly for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥370 million, down 20.7% year on year, and segment profit was ¥36 million, down 54.4%.」
Declining demand in the specialty chemicals business, mainly for exports of Kunipia, resulted in a 20.7% decline in revenue and a 54.4% decline in segment profit. - FY2022AdvancedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand increased across various areas, mainly for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications, resulting in substantial increases in revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,770 million, up 25.4%, and segment profit was ¥269 million, up 130.6%.」
The increase in demand, mainly for exports of Kunipia, was reflected in full-year results, with revenue in the specialty chemicals business up 25.4% and segment profit up 130.6%. - FY2022-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand increased across various areas, mainly for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in a substantial increase in both revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,369 million, up 43.3% year on year, and segment profit was ¥243 million, up 804.8%.」
Revenue and profit in the specialty chemicals business improved substantially due to increased demand, mainly for exports of Kunipia. Performance related to increased production and new-market development advanced. - FY2022-Q2AdvancedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand increased across various areas, mainly for KUNIPIA clay products for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in a substantial increase in both revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥904 million, up 68.5% year on year, and segment profit was ¥146 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥34 million in the same period of the previous year.」
Due to increased demand, mainly for exports of Kunipia, revenue in the specialty chemicals business rose 68.5%, and the business turned from a segment loss in the previous year to profit of ¥146 million. Performance related to increased production and new-market development advanced. - FY2022-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals business, demand increased across sectors, particularly for Kunipia for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in significantly higher revenue and earnings. As a result, segment net sales were ¥467 million, up 77.0% year on year, and segment profit was ¥81 million, compared with a segment loss of ¥24 million in the same period of the previous year.」
Due to increased demand, mainly for exports of Kunipia, revenue in the specialty chemicals business rose 77.0%, and the business improved from a segment loss to profit of ¥81 million. Concrete progress was evident in performance related to increased production and new-market development. - FY2021Demand recovery and profit improvement, but full-year revenue declinedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand fell sharply through the second quarter, mainly for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications, but began to recover from the third quarter onward, resulting in a slight decline in full-year revenue. Profit increased sharply as depreciation on the second Kunipia plant, which was newly built in fiscal 2018, progressed and fixed-cost burdens declined, among other factors.」
Export demand began to recover from the third quarter onward, but full-year revenue fell 4.3%. Segment profit, however, rose 68.0% due to lower fixed-cost burdens and other factors. - FY2021-Q3Export and new-market demand showing signs of recovery, but lower revenue and profit continueAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand in various areas, mainly for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications, was recovering, but the sharp decline through the second quarter continued to weigh on results, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥956 million, down 14.0%, and segment profit was ¥26 million, down 59.9%.」
Demand including exports of Kunipia was recovering, but revenue in the specialty chemicals business fell 14.0% and segment profit fell 59.9%, with lower revenue and profit continuing in terms of performance related to increased production and new-market development. - FY2021-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, demand declined across various fields, mainly for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications, resulting in lower revenue and profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥537 million, down 25.5%, and the segment recorded a loss of ¥34 million, compared with segment profit of ¥47 million in the same period of the previous year.」
Demand for the specialty chemicals business, centered on Kunipia, continued to decline, with revenue falling 25.5% year on year and the business deteriorating from profit in the same period of the previous year to a segment loss of ¥34 million. - FY2021-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals business, demand declined across sectors, particularly for Kunipia for general industrial applications destined for export, resulting in lower revenue and earnings.」
Demand declined across various fields, mainly for exports of Kunipia for general industrial applications, resulting in lower revenue and profit for the specialty chemicals business. - FY2020-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「In Fine Chemicals, revenue from synthetic and organophilic smectite declined slightly, but demand for Kunipia exports for general industrial applications showed signs of recovery, resulting in an overall increase in revenue. However, profit declined due to higher depreciation expenses related to the Kunipia No. 2 plant, newly established in the previous fiscal year, among other factors. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,111 million, up 15.5% year on year, and segment profit was ¥67 million, down 22.7%.」
Export demand for Kunipia and revenue in the specialty chemicals business continued to recover, but profit declined due to depreciation expense for the second plant and other factors. - FY2020-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「Fine Chemicals posted an increase in revenue as synthetic and organophilic smectite remained firm and demand for Kunipia exports for general industrial applications showed signs of recovery. However, profit declined due to higher depreciation expenses related to the Kunipia No. 2 plant, newly established in the previous fiscal year, among other factors. As a result, segment revenue was ¥721 million, up 10.6% year on year, and segment profit was ¥47 million, down 25.1%.」
While export demand for Kunipia recovered and synthetic and organophilic smectite remained solid, profit in the specialty chemicals business declined due to depreciation expense on production equipment and other factors. - FY2020-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「Fine Chemicals posted an increase in revenue as synthetic and organophilic smectite performed well and demand for Kunipia exports for general industrial applications showed signs of recovery. However, profit declined due to higher depreciation expenses related to the Kunipia No. 2 plant, newly established in the previous fiscal year, among other factors. As a result, segment revenue was ¥345 million, up 11.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥12 million, down 50.0%.」
Revenue in the specialty chemicals business rose 11.2% on strong sales of synthetic and organophilic smectite and a recovery in export demand for Kunipia for general industrial applications, confirming a recovery in demand related to new markets and applications. Profit, however, declined due to higher depreciation expense on production equipment. - FY2019WorsenedAnnual report
「In the specialty chemicals business, orders for the high-value-added purified bentonite product Kunipia declined sharply.」
While production capacity was expanded, the sharp decline in orders for Kunipia was identified as the current situation, and performance in existing sales areas deteriorated. - FY2019AdvancedAnnual report
「In the specialty chemicals business, production capacity for the purified bentonite product Kunipia was expanded at the Iwaki Plant in the fiscal year ended March 2019. The company will continue working to further expand into overseas and new markets, as well as conducting research through industry-academia-government collaboration to develop new applications in advanced functional materials and other fields.」
Production capacity for Kunipia was expanded, and the business moved into the phase of continuing expansion into overseas and new markets and development of new applications in advanced functional materials. - FY2019-Q3WorsenedAnnual report
「In the fine chemicals field, Kunipia remained solid in cosmetic applications, but the product mix at major customers for general industrial applications weighed on results, resulting in lower revenue and profit overall. As a result, segment revenue was ¥962 million, down 13.1%, and segment profit was ¥86 million, down 51.1%.」
While cosmetic applications remained solid, the continuing impact of the product mix at major customers for general industrial applications resulted in lower revenue and profit for the specialty chemicals business. Revenue fell 13.1% and segment profit fell 51.1%. - FY2019-Q2WorsenedAnnual report
「In fine chemicals, Kunipia performed well in cosmetics, but overall revenue declined because of the impact of changes in the product mix at major customers for general industrial applications. As a result, segment revenue was ¥652 million, down 14.0% year on year, and segment profit was ¥63 million, down 52.4%.」
While sales for cosmetic applications were strong, the specialty chemicals business reported lower revenue and profit due to changes in the product mix at major customers for general industrial applications. Revenue fell 14.0% year on year and segment profit fell 52.4%, with business performance continuing to deteriorate after the previous quarter. - FY2019-Q1WorsenedAnnual report
「In fine chemicals, Kunipia performed well in cosmetics, but exports for general industrial applications were affected by inventory adjustments at major customers, resulting in lower revenue overall. As a result, segment revenue was ¥310 million, down 17.4% year on year, and segment profit was ¥24 million, down 64.9%.」
Cosmetics applications performed well, but exports for general industrial applications weakened because of inventory adjustments at major customers, resulting in lower revenue and profit in the chemicals business. - FY2018AdvancedAnnual report
「Kunipia manufacturing equipment: planned investment ¥1,360,330 thousand; amount already paid ¥50,850 thousand; construction start August 2017; scheduled completion August 2018; additional capacity after completion 500 t/year」
The equipment plan for expanding contract manufacturing of Kunipia lists an investment of ¥1,360.33 million, ¥50.85 million already paid, and planned additional production capacity of 500 tonnes per year after completion, providing greater specificity on the execution stage. - FY2018-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「Fine Chemicals posted an overall increase in revenue because Kunipia performed well in exports for general industrial applications and environmental protection treatment agents remained firm. This more than offset higher depreciation expenses related to equipment newly installed in the previous fiscal year, resulting in higher profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥1,107 million, up 15.8% year on year, and segment profit was ¥177 million, up 50.8%.」
Expansion of Kunipia exports and environmental treatment agents translated into earnings, with revenue in the chemicals business up 15.8% year on year and segment profit up 50.8%. - FY2018-Q2AdvancedAnnual report
「In fine chemicals, overall revenue increased as Kunipia performed well in exports for general industrial applications and environmental treatment agents and other products remained firm. This more than offset higher depreciation and amortization expenses for equipment newly installed in the previous fiscal year, resulting in higher profit. As a result, segment revenue was ¥758 million, up 22.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥134 million, up 44.1%.」
In the chemicals business, including Kunipia exports, revenue was ¥758 million, up 22.2% year on year, and segment profit was ¥134 million, up 44.1%, showing tangible earnings progress from the expansion into new markets and applications. - FY2018-Q1AdvancedAnnual report
「At a meeting of the Board of Directors held on 21 July 2017, the company resolved to acquire fixed assets related to Kunipia manufacturing equipment. The company decided to acquire the Kunipia manufacturing equipment in order to establish a production system for further expanding contract manufacturing of Kunipia, its high-value-added product, and thereby strengthen its business base and improve profitability. Planned investment: ¥1,361 million. Planned construction start: August 2017. Planned completion: August 2018.」
To expand contract manufacturing of Kunipia, the company resolved to acquire manufacturing equipment with a planned investment of ¥1,361 million, moving into a specific capital investment phase with construction scheduled to start in August 2017 and be completed in August 2018. - FY2017AdvancedAnnual report
「In the chemicals business, we expanded equipment for Kunipia and Smecton in the fiscal year ended March 2017 and will seek further expansion into overseas and new markets.」
Equipment for Kunipia and Smecton was expanded in the fiscal year ended March 2017, and the company has moved into the phase of expanding into overseas and new markets. - FY2017-Q3AdvancedAnnual report
「In fine chemicals, overall revenue increased as Kunipia performed well in exports for general industrial applications and in cosmetics, while volumes of environmental treatment agents and purchased products also increased. However, the profit margin declined because of higher depreciation and amortization expenses for equipment newly installed during the current fiscal year, among other factors. As a result, segment revenue was ¥956 million, up 19.9% year on year, and segment profit was ¥117 million, up 2.1%.」
Revenue in the chemicals business, including Kunipia for export and cosmetic applications, was ¥956 million, up 19.9% year on year. However, the profit margin declined because of higher depreciation and amortization expenses for newly installed equipment. - FY2017-Q2AdvancedAnnual report
「Fine Chemicals posted an increase in revenue, as Kunipia performed well in exports for general industrial applications and in cosmetics-related applications, among other factors. Overall revenue also increased due to higher handling volumes of environmental protection treatment agents and purchased products.」
Kunipia performed well in exports for general industrial applications and in cosmetics, confirming that the development of new markets and applications is contributing to higher revenue. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「In the chemicals business, we will establish production capacity for increased output of Kunipia, a high-value-added product consisting of purified montmorillonite, and Smecton, a synthetic smectite, and seek to expand into overseas and new markets. We will also continue research and development aimed at new applications in advanced materials and other fields.」
The company is pursuing increased production capacity, expansion into new and overseas markets, and development of new applications in advanced materials as an integrated strategy.