Business Report 2016 Year ended March 31, 2016 The Pursuit of Excellence 005_0175701372808.indd 3 2016/08/08 20:13:53 Building on Core Strengths Kureha Corporation is a manufacturer of highly originative specialty chemicals and plastics that leverages proprietary technologies to develop products in advanced materials, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and packaging materials. Since its establishment in 1944, Kureha has utilized its strengths in technology and innovation to provide a wide range of solutions suited to the market needs of each era. Today, this corporate DNA drives Kureha to always pursue originality and excellence in harmony with the environment, and consistently create products that bring value to customers and society. Corporate Philosophy The Pursuit of Excellence To be a company supporting an ever-changing society. To be a company that changes society for the better. We formulated our Corporate Identity to reflect our vision for Kureha. We treasure people and the natural environment. ● We constantly evolve through innovation. ● We contribute to society by developing beneficial products. ● Contents Profile ........................................................................................1 Corporate Governance ............................................19 Consolidated Statements of At a Glance ...........................................................................2 Management Team ....................................................23 Changes in Net Assets ..............................................31 Consolidated Financial Highlights ......................3 Consolidated Five-Year Summary ...................24 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ......32 President’s Message .......................................................4 Management Discussion and Analysis .......25 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................................................................33 The Mid-Term Management Plan .......................6 Consolidated Balance Sheets .............................28 Major Subsidiaries and Affiliates ........................62 The Year’s Highlights ...................................................10 Consolidated Statements of Income . ...........30 Investor Information ..................................................63 Review of Operations .................................................12 Consolidated Statements of Research & Development .......................................16 Comprehensive Income .........................................30 Responsible Care ...........................................................18 009005__00117755770011337722880088..iinndddd 24 22001166//0088//0088 1290::3173::3563 R&D Innovation: The Source of Our Competitiveness We pride ourselves on our expertise in polymer engineering and processing as well as organic synthesis and carbon materials development. These technologies provide the base for the development of our original innovative materials and products. We are constantly adding and fusing new ideas to these accumulated technologies, and in the spirit of “if it doesn’t exist, let’s create it,” each day we pursue technology solutions that only Kureha can provide to meet unmet needs. The Pursuit of Excellence Originality and Quality to Maximizing Earnings & Answer Global Needs: Diversifying Risks: The Growth Potential in Global Markets The Path to Sustainable Growth Kureha’s overseas sales had reached 33% of total revenue Our innovative products and services are broadly based as of March 2016. Along with exports from Japan, we have but highly specialized, supporting a wide range of production, processing and sales locations in the United industries, including electrical and electronic- States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the U.K., China, appliances, automotive, agriculture, medicine and Vietnam and Australia, enabling an effective response to energy. We maximize earnings and diversify risk through needs in overseas markets. With continued growth broad-based business development in promising expected in newly emerging countries and many other growth fields such as the environment, energy, health regions, we are taking active and strategic steps to expand and lifestyle. We continuously optimize our portfolio to sales of highly competitive products in line with the needs align with shifting market needs while securing our of overseas markets, whether for advanced materials, earnings path. chemicals, or plastic products. Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 01 001900__00117755770011337722880088..iinndddd 33 22001166//0088//0088 1199::4317::3368 At a Glance Net Sales/Net Sales Composition Advanced Materials ¥36,536 million 25.6 % Specialty Chemicals ¥31,182 million 21.9 % FY2015 Net Sales ¥142,549 million Specialty Plastics ¥44,210 million 31.0 % Construction and Other Operations ¥16,201 ¥14,418 million million 11.4 10.1 % % (Construction) (Other Operations) 02 Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 010_0175701372808.indd 2 2016/08/08 19:41:37 Consolidated Financial Highlights Kureha Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries Years ended March 31, 2016 (FY2015) and 2015 (FY2014) Business Areas Thousands of Millions of yen U.S. dollars FY2015 FY2014 FY2015 For the year: Advanced Plastics Net sales ¥142,549 ¥150,182 $1,265,078 Carbon Fibers & Products Operating income 12,600 14,551 111,821 Net income attributable to Battery Materials owners of parent 7,342 9,195 65,157 Capital expenditure 12,139 17,557 136,782 Depreciation 9,877 8,261 87,655 R&D expenses 4,885 4,978 55,044 Year-end: Total assets ¥236,633 ¥249,697 $2,100,044 Net assets 119,274 120,624 1,058,519 Interest-bearing debt 79,685 86,636 Yen U.S. dollars Amounts per share: Agrochemicals Net income – basic ¥ 42.73 ¥ 53.53 $ 0.37 Pharmaceuticals Net assets 686.06 687.80 6.08 Industrial Chemicals Percent Ratios: Net income to net sales 5.2% 6.1% Return on equity 6.2 8.3 Return on assets 4.9 6.5 Equity ratio 49.8 47.3 Notes: 1. For convenience only, U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from Japanese yen at the rate of ¥112.68 to US$1, the rate of exchange prevailing on the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2016. 2. For amounts per share, see Note 21 of the Notes on Consolidated Financial Statements. 3. Return on equity = [Net income / (Average net assets - Average minority interests - Average stock acquisition rights)] x 100. 4. Return on assets = (Recurring income / Average total assets) x 100. Household Products Packaging Materials Net Sales Operating Income Net Income attributable to Synthetic Fiber Products (Millions of yen) (Millions of yen) Owners of Parent (Millions of yen) (Left scale) Net Income per Share (Yen) (Right scale) 160,000 16,000 10,000 60 140,000 14,000 8,000 48 120,000 12,000 100,000 10,000 6,000 36 80,000 8,000 Engineering & Construction 4,000 24 Environment Management 60,000 6,000 Logistics 40,000 4,000 2,000 12 20,000 2,000 0 0 0 0 (FY)20112012201320142015 (FY)20112012201320142015 (FY)20112012201320142015 Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 03 010_0175701372808.indd 3 2016/08/08 19:41:37 President’s Message Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Future Growth Dear Shareholders, it is vital that we instill this mindset and behavior throughout the company, and that the President leads by example. In FY2015 (ended March 31, 2016), market conditions continued to be In April 2016, we launched “Kureha’s Challenge 2018,” a new mid-term challenging for the Kureha Group. Consolidated sales decreased 5.1% management plan for the period from FY2016 through FY2018. This is year on year to 142.5 billion yen, with operating income declining the first mid-term management plan formulated under my direction, and 13.4% to 12.6 billion yen, and recurring income down 22.5% to 12.0 fully reflects my thoughts based on the internal discussions we have had billion yen. These results were mostly driven by a lack of one-time on how to make Kureha a company of lasting prosperity. income in the pharmaceuticals business, which led to a sharp earnings In formulating the new mid-term management plan, we began decline for the Specialty Chemicals segment. Earnings per share were with a thorough review of the results of “Grow Globally II,” the previous 42.73 yen, with which we maintained our annual dividend at the plan covering the period from FY2012 through FY2015. Under this previous year’s level of 11 yen per share, not including the plan, we steadily strengthened our business foundation, restored commemorative dividend paid in FY2014. profitability in the Advanced Materials segment, and significantly However, it should be noted that, excluding this one-time income reduced costs through the Reform Project. in the pharmaceuticals business, we have increased earnings each year Regretfully, we were unable to achieve both the initial operating since FY2012. This means that our foundation for generating earnings income target of 20 billion yen and the revised target of 15 billion yen has gradually but steadily improved, an achievement that represents adopted in the fall of FY2013. While changes in the business the concerted efforts of all Kureha Group employees. environment were partly to blame, we recognized that the main reason I am also pleased to say that in FY2015, the Advanced Materials was due to our own business shortcomings. To cite a few examples, we segment recorded a further earnings increase since regaining profitability did not devise multifaceted and precise business scenarios, we were in the previous year. Advanced materials, such as PVDF, PPS and PGA, are not sufficiently sensitive to changes in the business climate to be able expected to be our core businesses to drive future growth, and therefore to take swift action, and we failed to invest appropriately in resources we are determined to ensure that this positive trajectory continues. for the future. Reflecting on these inadequacies, we launched the new Another achievement is that Kureha recorded an additional 1.5 mid-term plan strongly determined to establish a robust management billion yen in profit gains from our Reform Project, which we launched in foundation capable of withstanding competition for the long-term FY2013 to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Through FY2014, future, and achieve our quantitative target of 16.0 billion yen in together with the efforts of group companies, we generated 3.5 billion operating income (14.0 billion yen under IFRS standards*) by FY2018. yen in profit gains, meaning that in the three years since the project The action measures set forth in Kureha’s Challenge 2018 are started, we have achieved a cumulative total benefit of 5.0 billion yen. guided by our corporate philosophy, The Pursuit of Excellence, and in Partly due to this effort, Kureha has managed to establish a structure line with the overall strategic direction that, “As a company built on capable of maintaining a stable operating income base of 10 billion yen. technology, Kureha will develop differentiated products in the field of When I became President in September 2012, I declared that we specialty chemicals and become a high value-added enterprise that would establish a solid business foundation that would allow us to continually contributes to global society.” remain an “excellent company” by the time we mark our 100th The new plan is also positioned as a period to lay the foundation anniversary in 2044. I have focused tirelessly on reforming Kureha to for Kureha’s future expansion. While we anticipate a profitability decline realize that vision. To link this reform mindset to action, I have in the Specialty Chemicals segment (pharmaceuticals and continually stressed the watchwords: Passion, Speed and Commitment. agrochemicals), which up to now has been a source of stable earnings, It is my belief that we can overcome any obstacle, no matter how big, we will enhance the competitiveness and earnings capacity of other as long as we work together and remain committed. To nurture the existing businesses, in particular developing the PGA business into a strength of employees, and allow each and every one of them to grow, new earnings pillar. Furthermore, in the next three years we will 04 Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 010_0175701372808.indd 4 2016/08/08 19:41:37 intensify our efforts to explore and create new businesses, and identify For FY2016, although we are forecasting year-on-year increases in promising new themes for the future. both revenue and earnings under IFRS, our business segments will be Exploring new business themes is vital to a company that professes in a preparatory stage for future growth. During this initial year of our to be built on technology. In April 2016, we launched the New Business new mid-term plan, we will orient ourselves toward the future we want Creation Project, led by myself, to accelerate the search for new to realize, with all employees acting together in steady progress toward technologies and business themes. We are exploring fields in the areas the plan’s management goals and quantitative targets. of environment, energy, and quality of life that have promising potential Through efforts to resolve various social issues by using highly markets, and in which Kureha can apply its technological strengths. We original technology, Kureha will contribute to the advancement of are also making use of outside resources wherever necessary, such as society, achieve sustainable growth in enterprise value, and further M&A and joint research with other companies or universities, in an enhance the relationship of trust we have with our stakeholders. effort to develop more high value-added downstream fields. While We thank you for your investment and your confidence in us, and maintaining our dedication to being a “company built on technology,” look forward to your continued support. we aim to react to external stimuli and incorporate new discoveries, pursuing projects with the spirit of “if it doesn’t exist, let’s create it.” In addition, Kureha will strengthen its governance structures to ensure we remain a company that continually contributes to society. Yutaka Kobayashi Last year, we formulated a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines that President & Chief Executive Officer clearly state our management philosophy and approach to corporate June 2016 governance, and we are acting in accordance with these tenets to enhance the effectiveness of our governance structure. Furthermore, while promoting activities related to environmental protection and operational safety, Kureha is pursuing dialogue with various stakeholders to promote CSR management and reinforce efforts to contribute to and coexist with society. As a company, we have a particularly important social role to play in Iwaki in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture, the location of our main production and R&D facility. Kureha General Hospital, one of our group companies, is a key medical center in southern Iwaki City. We intend to continue to support its operations in order to provide for the health and wellness of local people. We are also supporting independence and social participation for the disabled through Sunshine Kureha, a special subsidiary established in 2014 to employ disabled persons. In May 2016, Kureha launched the Employees Shine-Up Project, aimed at encouraging the active participation of all employees. This project is founded in the conviction that sustainable growth for the company requires creating an environment that encourages and cultivates personal and professional growth among employees. At the same time, we are working to develop human resources who can play an active role on the global stage, and to expand systems that provide opportunities for a diverse range of employees to actively participate in our company’s growth. * Starting from FY2016, ending March 2017, Kureha will be reporting its financial performance based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) instead of the Japanese Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 05 010_0175701372808.indd 5 2016/08/08 19:41:37 The Mid-Term Management Plan “Kureha’s Challenge 2018” For fiscal years 2016 through 2018, the Kureha Group is operating its business based on the mid-term management plan, “Kureha’s Challenge 2018”. Under this plan, Kureha strives to develop differentiated products in the specialty chemicals field, with a goal at becoming a high value-added company that continually contributes to society. These three years are also strategically positioned as a period to lay the foundation for Kureha’s future expansion, where we take on varied challenges to strengthen existing businesses, develop original and innovative technologies and products, and explore new businesses. Concept: “Achieve product differentiation” and “Create new businesses” Management Goals: Business strategies • Enhance competitiveness and earnings capacity of existing businesses that support the management foundation of the Kureha Group • Expand the PGA business that is currently driving the Kureha Group’s growth • Explore new business themes that will carry the Kureha Group’s future Promote CSR-based management Strengthen the management foundation 06 Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 010_0175701372808.indd 6 2016/08/08 19:41:38 Expanding Overseas Sales FY2015 Quantitative Targets 33 (JPN GAAP) FY2018 FY2015 % Targets Net sales ¥142.5 billion ¥170.0 billion Operating income 12.6 billion 16.0 billion FY2018 37 Net income attributable 7.3 billion 9.0 billion to owners of parent % DE ratio 0.7 0.5 ROE 6.2% 6.0% Presumptions • Currency exchange rates: ¥120/US$1, ¥130/ €1, ¥18/CNY1 • Crude oil price: US$40/bbl • Number of shares of common stock issued in FY2018: 206 million shares, including conversion of convertible bonds Strategic Direction: As a company built on technology, Concept: Kureha will develop differentiated products in the field of specialty chemicals and “Achieve product differentiation” and “Create new businesses” become a high value-added enterprise that continually contributes to global society. Sales and Operating Income Targets by Segment (JPN GAAP) Sales Operating income (Billions of yen) (Billions of yen) 60 8 55.0 FY2015 FY2018 7.0 FY2015 FY2018 50.0 7 50 44.2 6 40 36.5 5 5.0 31.230.0 4.8 30 4 3.6 22.0 3 20 16.213.0 14.4 2 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 10 1.1 1 0.3 0 0 Advanced Specialty Specialty Construction Other Advanced Specialty Specialty Construction Other Materials Chemicals Plastics operations Materials Chemicals Plastics operations Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 07 010_0175701372808.indd 7 2016/08/08 19:41:39 Action Measures: Enhance Competitiveness and Earnings Capacity of Existing Businesses Action 01 • • Expand business by actively investing Strengthen sales activities and reduce costs resources and pursuing differentiation in anticipation of decreased demand for Advanced strategies with PVDF and PPS Construction the post-quake reconstruction project in Materials • Secure earnings in the carbon fiber the Iwaki, Japan area business by improving the profitability • • Expand the industrial waste treatment Promote new product development in the Specialty Other business, including the processing Chemicals pharmaceutical and agrochemical fields Operations services of micro-PCB wastes • • Increase earnings capacity for household Develop improved grades and new products by strengthening brand power and applications SPpleacsitaicltsy global business development PRro&dDu catniodn • Expand downstream business by • Expand global sales of packaging materials strengthening polymer processing • Increase cost competitiveness for synthetic fibers technologies • Promote the development of innovative production processes Explore New Business Themes • Accelerate exploration of new technologies and business themes to support the Kureha Group’s future through the “New Business Creation Project,” initiated in April 2016 and led by the president • Action 03 Explore potential business themes in the environment, energy and life science fields, which will utilize Kureha’s specialty technologies • Make use of other companies’ resources through M&A and collaboration, conduct joint R&D with universities, and develop business in high value-added downstream sectors Exploring and Integrating Targeted Fields Kureha’s Technological Strengths Needs Organic Environment & Polymerization synthesis Wants Testing & Energy Analysis Processing technology Quality of life Process (medicine, food) development Differentiated Expanding from upstream Products to downstream Expanding Product Value Chain 08 Kureha Corporation Business Report 2016 010_0175701372808.indd 8 2016/08/08 19:41:39