Kuraray Reports Q1 Operating Profit Up 61%

TOKYO, May 13 (Pulse News Wire) – Kuraray CO.,LTD. (3405.T) reported its fiscal year 2026 first quarter results today.

The company recorded an operating profit of ¥2.009 billion, marking a 61% increase from ¥1.948 billion in the same period last year. Ordinary profit rose to ¥1.78 billion compared to ¥1.87 billion previously. Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent company was ¥1.20 billion, down slightly from ¥1.24 billion in the prior-year quarter. Segment-wise, the functional materials division saw significant changes in classification from "other" to "functional materials," impacting comparative figures.

Sales revenue for the vinyl acetate segment reached ¥1.004 billion, while operating profit stood at ¥159 billion, reflecting a decrease of ¥49 billion from the previous year. Despite challenges such as regional conflicts affecting sales volumes, the company managed to capitalize on certain demand opportunities. In the optical polyvinyl butyral film sector, sales were bolstered by global supply chain efficiencies, leading to an overall increase in sales volume despite competitive pressures in Europe and Asia. However, issues related to semiconductor memory shortages and geopolitical tensions led to inventory buildup within the supply chain, contributing to increased sales in some areas.

The water-soluble polyvinyl butyral film segment faced reduced sales due to lower demand for individual packaged detergents, while the high-performance interlayer films experienced declines in both architectural and automotive applications.