The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG Group) has decided to discontinue the manufacture of products at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation’s (MCC) Onahama Plant and Shinryo Corporation’s (Shinryo) Iwaki Plant, which are both located in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, in stages by the end of March 2027.

The Onahama Plant produces ammonia and its derivatives, methanol, formalin, wood-based adhesives, fatty acid amides and ultra-high purity process chemicals amongst others. The Shinryo’s Iwaki Plant produces fine chemical products, TAIC and distilled products.

MCC’s Onahama Plant began operations in September 1937 as Japan Hydrogen Industrial Co. (later Nippon Kasei Chemical Company Limited), while Shinryo’s Iwaki Plant was established in October 2020 as a result of the transfer and integration of a number of MCC’s products and the former Onahama Distillery’s business into Shinryo.

The two plants have been engaged in the manufacture of various chemical products, and in recent years, have undertaken initiatives to streamline operations and attract new business in response to drastic changes in the market environment. Despite these efforts, however, securing profitability at these plants has become extremely difficult.

Hence, MCC decided to discontinue the manufacturing of products from these plants in stages starting in March 2026, and fully terminated by the end of March 2027.

MCG Group will support the employees of these plants by reassigning them within the group and providing outplacement support etc.