巨亏！三井化学再出售，中石化接盘！

Core Viewpoint - Mitsui Chemicals is strategically divesting its 50% stake in Sinopec Mitsui Chemicals Co., Ltd. (SSMC) to Shanghai Gaoqiao Petrochemical Co., Ltd. as part of its global strategy adjustment, focusing on green chemicals and high-performance materials due to declining domestic demand and increasing overseas competition [2][3]. Group 1: Company Actions - The divestment of SSMC is a response to the continuous decline in performance, with a projected loss of 10.6 billion yen for the fiscal year 2025 [3]. - Mitsui Chemicals is considering restructuring its core business units related to basic and green materials, including phenols, industrial chemicals, and sustainable raw materials [2]. Group 2: Industry Context - The domestic phenol production capacity in China has reached 6.39 million tons, with increasing industry concentration, including major players like Zhejiang Petrochemical and Wanhua Chemical [5]. - The industry is facing an oversupply situation, with an expected additional capacity of 995,000 tons in 2025 from various companies [5]. - Recently, INEOS Phenol, the world's largest producer of phenol and acetone, announced plans to permanently cease production in Germany, indicating broader challenges in the chemical sector [4]. Group 3: Remaining Operations in China - Mitsui Chemicals maintains several significant operations in China, including: - Shanghai Sinopec Mitsui Elastomers Co., Ltd., producing ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) with an annual capacity of 75,000 tons [6]. - Tianjin Mitsui Nonwoven Fabrics Co., Ltd., producing nonwoven fabrics with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons [7]. - Foshan Mitsui Chemical Isocyanate Co., Ltd., focusing on polyurethane products for the automotive industry [8]. - Zhangjiagang Free Trade Zone Mitsui Yuntuo Composite Materials Co., Ltd., producing high-performance polymer composites [8]. - Plans to expand production capacity in Shanghai for thermoplastic elastomers and adhesive polyolefins by 2026 [8].