In 2025, 44 major chemical companies underwent major 'streamlining': shutting down operations, selling businesses, and cutting jobs.

In May, Asahi Kasei decided to exit its MMA monomer, cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA), PMMA resin, and styrene-butadiene (SB) emulsion businesses, and restructured its acetonitrile supply framework—shutting down its purification plant in Kawasaki. In December, Asahi Kasei and Teijin Limited absorbed and merged two of their respective subsidiaries, both engaged in high-performance fiber businesses. Also in December, Asahi Kasei sold its lead-acid battery separator business, Daramic, to Kingswood Capital Management, LP, completing the transaction. Also in December, Asahi Kasei announced its decision to discontinue production of hexamethylenediamine (HMD), with cessation scheduled for April 2027. 28. Teijin Limited (Japan) In February, Teijin Aramid, a subsidiary of Teijin Limited, plans to close its aramid fiber production facility in Arnhem, the Netherlands. 29. Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Japan) In March, Kuraray announced the discontinuation of Vecstar™ FCCL flexible copper-clad laminate production, while continuing to manufacture and sell Vecstar™ liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film at its factory in Saijo City, Japan. In April, Kuraray decided to acquire U.S.-based surface modification materials technology company Nelumbo through its U.S. subsidiary, Kuraray Holdings U.S.A., Inc. In June, Kuraray decided to halt production of polyester resin and polyester filament at its manufacturing subsidiary, Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. In December, Kuraray decided to transfer all shares of its wholly owned subsidiary, Kuraray Acrylic (Zhangjiagang) Co., Ltd. (engaged in methyl methacrylate resin cast sheet business), to Jiangsu Shuangxiang Group Co., Ltd. 30. Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan) In October, Toray announced the full sale of its 50% stake in LG Toray Hungary Battery Separator Kft. (LTHS) to LG Chem. LTHS is a 50:50 joint venture between Toray and LG Chem in Hungary, primarily producing battery separators for lithium-ion secondary batteries (LIBs). 31. LG Chem (South Korea) In June, LG Chem decided to sell its water treatment business to private equity firm Glenwood for 1.4 trillion Korean won. LG Chem currently ranks second globally in market share for seawater desalination reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, trailing only Japan’s Toray. 32. Polyplastics Co., Ltd. (Japan) In October, Polyplastics announced that Daicel Corporation would acquire all of Polyplastics’ businesses (excluding shareholdings in and management of subsidiaries and affiliated companies) via absorption merger, effective April 1, 2026. 33. Ube Industries, Ltd. (Japan) In January, Ube Industries, Ltd. announced a fundamental restructuring of its core business operations, deciding to shut down production lines for cyclohexanone, nylon, caprolactam, and related products, and comprehensively realign its strategic focus. In September, it announced an acceleration of the structural reforms announced in January, advancing the timeline for scaling back and exiting its Thai basic chemical business—from “March 2027” to “March 2026.” 34. Zeon Corporation (Japan) In January, Zeon Corporation decided to freeze for approximately two years the investment plan for its U.S. subsidiary Zeon Chemicals L.P.’s Texas plant—originally intended to build a lithium-ion battery binder production facility scheduled to commence operations in 2026.

How do investors view the decision by Furukawa executives to sell 22,300 shares?

Furukawa executives plan to sell 22,300 shares—a move likely to elicit varied reactions from investors. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the total market value of these shares amounts to approximately $1.7466 million. Investors typically assess executive share sales from several angles. On one hand, such sales may be interpreted as a signal of diminished confidence in the company’s future prospects, potentially dampening market sentiment and exerting downward pressure on the stock price. In China’s A-share market, similar insider sales are closely scrutinized by investors and often trigger share price declines. On the other hand, executive share sales may simply reflect personal financial needs or portfolio rebalancing—and need not necessarily indicate deterioration in the company’s fundamentals. When evaluating such events, investors generally consider multiple factors: the scale of the sale, the identity and role of the selling executive, the stated rationale for the sale, and the company’s overall financial performance and market outlook. Regarding Furukawa’s planned share sale, investors may need to further analyze its potential implications for the company’s long-term development and stock price, while also aligning their assessment with their own investment strategies and market understanding.

HB Fuller mulls sale of noncore businesses; rejects second Ancora bid

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HB Fuller is reviewing the sale of noncore assets after rejecting a second unsolicited bid from Ancora for its Building Adhesive Solutions business valued at up to $1.4 billion. The adhesives producer expects to complete the strategic review by the end of 2026.

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