Osaka, Japan, February 5, 2026 – DAICEL CORPORATION (The “Company”) hereby announces that the Company decided to review its business plan for cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), which is manufactured and sold by its
consolidated subsidiary, TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH in Germany, in response to changes in
the market environment. The Company has also decided to postpone the start of operations at the
new (second) plant currently under construction.
1. Reason for review of the business plan and postponement of operation at new plant
The Company had anticipated a strong increase in demand for cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) resin, which is widely used in fields such as packaging and healthcare, particularly in the environmentally friendly packaging in Europe starting around 2025. The Company has been constructing a new (second) COC resin production plant to meet this expected demand, and it is nearly complete. However, following the enforcement of the EU Packaging nd Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in February 2025, the market’s shift toward environmentally friendly packaging is now progressing with a target of 2030. As a result, the anticipated increase in demand has been slower than originally expected. In addition, the investment for the new plant has increased significantly compared to the initial plan due to the recent surge in construction and labor costs.
Due to these changes in the business environment, there is a significant risk that the
profitability of the COC resin business could decline. Therefore, the Company will reassess future
demand trends. Furthermore, considering stable startup and supply-demand balance in
operations, the start-up date for the new plant will be postponed from April 2026 to the first calendar quarter of 2027.
2. Outlook
The Company is currently examining the impact on its business plan and its consolidated
financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, and will promptly make an
announcement should any matters requiring disclosure arise.
(Reference)
- COC Resin Sales Revenue
Approximately ¥15 billion (Fiscal Year Ending March 2025 Actual) - Forecast Sales Volume of COC Resin (YoY Change Rate)
| FY2026/3 | FY2027/3 | |
| Presentation Materials for FY2025/3 Consolidated Financial Results (Announced May 13, 2025) | +45% | +50% |
| As of February 5, 2026 | -4% | +32% |
Link to original press release issued by Daicel Corporation: Notice Concerning Revision of Business Plan for Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) and Postponement of Start of Operation for New Plant