Engineering Zeon Begins Construction of New Cyclo-Olefin Polymers Production Plant in Japan

Zeon recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new cyclo-olefin polymers plant in Japan. The project is expected to meet the growing demand for cyclo-olefin polymers in the region.

Tokyo/Japan – Zeon Corporation will begin construction of a new production plant for Cyclo-Olefin Polymers (COP) at its business site in Yuka Town, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The new plant will produce COP in anticipation of growing demand based on its expanding use in medical and semiconductor applications in addition to its optical applications. Full-scale construction will begin in March 2026 toward completion in the first half of fiscal 2028, increasing Zeon’s annual production capacity for COP by about 30 % from current levels.

In addition, we’ve decided to name this new site the Tokuyama East Plant, and together with our existing Tokuyma Plant, we aim to further expand our operations in the Shunan area.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site on February 18, 2026, with guests from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Shunan City, and the local community, as well as representatives from the construction contractor and other related companies, along with Zeon officials including President Tetsuya Toyoshima and Plant Manager Akira Honma. A total of 63 people attended the event to pray for safety on the construction site.

At a press conference held the same day, President Toyoshima said: “Meeting the robust demand for COP has been a long-held dream, so it is deeply moving to begin construction in such an optimal location. We intend to further expand our operations in the Shunan area, including this plant, and continue to meet society's expectations by providing our proprietary materials.”

COP is a highly transparent plastic developed independently by Zeon, featuring diverse characteristics including advanced optical properties, low water absorption, and high purity. In addition to optical applications such as films and lenses, other uses are being rapidly developed, encompassing medical applications such as syringes and cell culture plates as well as semiconductor transfer containers. We continue to see steady growth in demand for COP.

In Phase 3 of the Stage30 medium-term management plan (FY2025-2028), Zeon will promote a restructuring of its business portfolio by concentrating management resources in the four growth areas of Mobility, Healthcare and Life Science, Telecommunications, and GX. In particular, COP is positioned as a growth driver that promises a steady increase, and we will seek to expand the business by leveraging its superior material properties as well as its longstanding track record of being adopted for use as a competitive advantage. The new plant is to become the second production base for COP after Zeon’s existing Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and we will endeavor to further stabilize COP supply based on multiple production bases.

Zeon remains committed to advancing a sustainable Earth and a safe, comfortable life for people by contributing to a sustainable society and delivering technologies, products, and services that are indispensable.

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