Asahi Kasei announced on May 12 its decision to restructure its petrochemical derivative facilities at its Mizushima plant, including ceasing production, by fiscal 2030. It will withdraw from production of styrene monomer (SM) (with an annual production capacity of 370,000 mt), low density polyethylene (LDPE, 120,000 mt), and high density polyethylene (HDPE, 120,000 mt). The timing of sales termination is undecided. In addition, for acrylonitrile (AN), it will cease operations at a 200,000 mt facility and continue operations at a 50,000 mt facility, where it will co-produce AN and methacrylonitrile (MAN). Supply will be continued, including that from Tongsuh Petrochemical in South Korea. Furthermore, for polycarbonate diol (PCD), it will cease operations at the Mizushima facility (equivalent to 3,000 mt), withdraw from domestic production, and consolidate production at Asahi Kasei Fine Chemicals in China and other locations. Going forward, over a four-year transition period, while maintaining stable supply, it will ask customers to switch to alternative products.

The company stated that this decision was reached based on the belief that, for businesses with sluggish operating rates in Japan's petrochemical industry, supply capacity should be strengthened by improving operating rates through facility consolidation and integration.