Core Viewpoint - Ube Industries is restructuring its basic chemicals business by investing in specialty chemicals while reducing or exiting basic chemicals production [1][2] Group 1: Business Restructuring - Ube Industries will cease production of ammonia and related products at its main plant in Ube, Japan, by March 2028, which is over two years earlier than the current mid-term plan [1] - Production of caprolactam and polyamide materials will stop by March 2027, with the Ube plant focusing on specialty chemicals such as polyimides, separation membranes, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and high-purity chemicals thereafter [1] - The subsidiary in Thailand will stop producing cyclohexanone, caprolactam, and ammonium sulfate, and will close one of its two polyamide production lines [1] Group 2: Expansion in Specialty Chemicals - A new plant in Louisiana, USA, has broken ground and is expected to be completed by 2026, producing 100,000 tons/year of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and 40,000 tons/year of ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), marking the largest investment in the production base [2] - DMC and EMC are used as electrolyte solvents for lithium-ion batteries and in semiconductor manufacturing processes [2] Group 3: Sustainability Goals - Ube expects to achieve its greenhouse gas reduction target of a 50% decrease from 2013 levels ahead of schedule by 2028 [2] - The company plans to leverage stable earnings from its specialty chemicals business to quickly offset losses from the restructuring [2] - By 2030, Ube will continue to focus on growth strategies, including active investment in specialty business management resources and enhancing global management while making further progress in sustainability management [2]