Ube Group to invest about Yen 150 bn for business expansion

The Ube Group will invest Yen 150 billion (about $ 1.37 billion) over three years to expand businesses that are expected to drive growth such as nylon and separators, as a part of its medium-term management plan, named ‘Change & Challenge 2018’.
 
In addition, the Ube Group will strengthen cost competitiveness of the platform businesses such as caprolactam and cement as well as improve its infrastructure such as private power generation facilities and the coal center from the long-term perspective.
 
Besides, the Ube Group will actively seek M&A opportunities to speedily realise the strengthening of existing businesses and the expansion of its peripheral business domains. As for the specific implementation of individual investment projects, the Ube Group will determine the amount and timing of investment for them in a flexible manner in consideration of changes in the business environment.
   
For R&D, the Ube Group will spend Yen 45 billion (about $ 410 million) over three years starting in 2016. R&D activities will be conducted to strengthen cost competitiveness and improve functions for the strengthening of existing businesses and the expansion of their peripheral business domains. In particular, to create new businesses in the environment and energy, mobility, construction and infrastructure, and health care fields, the Ube Group will prioritise the strengthening of our fundamental technologies and the evolution of advanced technologies in strategically important technological fields.