According to Toray Opelontex Co., Ltd., the strong Japanese currency had an impact on its sales during the first half of the current fiscal year (April-September 2016), but profits remained the same as the year before thanks to cost reduction efforts and other factors. The sales volume remained almost flat, and the Shiga Plant has been operating at full capacity.
In the fiscal second half (October 2016-March 2017), the market environment is expected be more severe than the first half, so the company will take measures, such as continuing to focus on developments with customers and increasing business operations in the sector of “Life Innovation (LI)”.
Business in this sector is growing, such as for compression supporters, health care supplies and medical equipment, and the company has been steadily achieving results. The range of customers is also expanding, so it will accelerate efforts in developing new functions in the future.
In addition, Toray Opelontex will aim at expanding application in disposable diapers. Although the lull in inbound demand had an impact in the fiscal first half, business is expected to be steady in the second half. Developments for disposable diaper applications will be accelerated in collaboration with the Toray Group’s spunbonded business.
Furthermore, Lycra T400 two-component fiber is growing steadily, and sales in the current fiscal year are expected to reach another record-breaking level like the previous fiscal year. In addition to expanding outerwear application, its use as a lining material is also increasing.