July 23, 2026 16:52

Denka has decided to discontinue production of its Denka ER specialty elastomer at its Chiba plant in Ichihara, with manufacturing set to end permanently in August 2028.

The material is a copolymer of ethylene, vinyl acetate and acrylic acid ester, developed in-house by the Japanese group and marketed since the early 1980s.
Thanks to its heat and oil resistance, it is used to manufacture hoses and other components for vehicles and machinery, bridging the performance gap between acrylic rubber and fluoroelastomers.

Denka attributed the decision to ongoing changes in the automotive industry, particularly the shift towards electric vehicles and declining production of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

Sales of Denka ER will continue until 31 March 2030, allowing for an orderly withdrawal from the market and supporting customers in their transition to alternative materials.

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