Asahi Kasei to discontinue production of Asaflex styrenic block copolymer

Tokyo, Japan – Asahi Kasei has decided to discontinue its business for Asafle™ clear styrenic block copolymer. Manufacturing of Asaflex will end March 31, 2023, and sales to be discontinued on September 30, 2023.

Asaflex has been manufactured at Asahi Kasei’s Kawasaki Works since 1982 and supplied to customers around the world for some 39 years. Recently, however, with the deterioration of its profitability caused by environmental factors such as obscure business prospects in major markets, it has become difficult to formulate a strategy for future expansion. The decision was thus made to discontinue the business.

Under the Cs+ for Tomorrow 2021 medium term management initiative, Asahi Kasei is transforming its business portfolio for sustainability and high added value. The allocation of management resources is prioritized based on the four perspectives of high profitability, high market growth, priority fields for provision of value and sustainability. The decision to discontinue the Asaflex business was made in light of such perspectives. The management resources of the Asaflex business will be reallocated to other businesses.