Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation has reversed its earlier decision to exit its coke and carbon materials business, citing the rapid expansion of AI data centre-related businesses and the need to secure high-quality raw materials for its pitch-based carbon fibre operations.

 

The company announced that it would continue manufacturing needle coke and pitch coke at its Kagawa Plant, abandoning its previously announced withdrawal plan.

 

In February 2026, Mitsubishi Chemical had announced plans to withdraw from its coke and carbon materials business and remove the associated equipment at its consolidated subsidiary, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.

 

However, a fresh assessment of its pitch-based carbon fibre business prompted the company to reconsider the decision.

 

The company had initially planned to continue its pitch-based carbon fibre operations using raw materials sourced from external suppliers. Further evaluation, however, revealed that relying on third-party materials would make it difficult to achieve the targeted performance standards for its carbon fibre products.

 

Mitsubishi Chemical said retaining its own raw material manufacturing technology and production equipment was essential to preserving and strengthening the competitiveness of its pitch-based carbon fibre business.

 

The company has therefore decided to maintain its needle coke and pitch coke operations at the Kagawa Plant, which had originally been earmarked for closure as part of its withdrawal strategy.

 

The reversal comes against the backdrop of rapidly expanding AI data centre-related businesses, which have prompted the company to reassess the strategic importance of its carbon materials operations.

 

By retaining control over the production of key raw materials, Mitsubishi Chemical aims to ensure their stable availability and quality while safeguarding the performance of its pitch-based carbon fibre business.