Asahi Kasei to End HMD Production for Long-Term Profitability
- Asahi Kasei will phase out HMD production by April 2027.
- HMD is used in PA66, HDI, and resin hardening agents.
- PA66 and HDI production in Miyazaki Prefecture remains unaffected.
- All affected employees will be reassigned within the company.
HMD Production Phase-Out
Asahi Kasei will discontinue hexamethylene diamine (HMD) production by April 2027 as part of its portfolio optimization strategy. This decision follows an assessment of market dynamics, competitiveness, and future capital needs.
Impact on Other Productions
The phase-out will not affect the production of PA66 resin and filament in Nobeoka or HDI and its derivatives in Hyuga, both in Miyazaki Prefecture. All employees affected by the HMD production halt will be reassigned to other roles within the company.
Strategic Focus
Under its three-year medium-term management plan, “Trailblaze Together,” Asahi Kasei aims to improve capital efficiency and accelerate earnings by converting past growth investments into tangible returns. The company is focusing resources on key growth areas such as pharmaceuticals, critical care, overseas homes, and electronics.
Recent Portfolio Actions
Recent actions supporting Asahi Kasei’s portfolio optimization include the divestiture of Daramic, a lead-battery separator company, and expanding capacity for Pimel photosensitive polyimide. These steps demonstrate the company’s disciplined execution of its strategy for sustained, profitable growth.
Source: Asahi Kasei