Closure of Kenton Plant of Durez Corporation (US)

September 28, 2026

Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Shinichi Kajiya) announced that, with the aim of optimizing our production structure in North America and utilizing our management resources efficiently, we have decided to phase out production and close the Kenton Plant of Durez Corporation (hereinafter “Durez”), our consolidated subsidiary that manufactures phenolic resins and other products.

Background and Details of the Closure

The Kenton Plant of Durez has long served as a production base for phenolic resins and other products, supporting our Group’s business. However, the plant’s facilities are aging. After a comprehensive review of required future capital investments and our overall production structure in North America, we have decided to end production and close the plant to ensure long-term competitiveness and build a sustainable business foundation.
As for the products currently manufactured at the plant, production will be discontinued or transferred to other sites.

Timing of Production Discontinuation and Closure

Production at the Kenton Plant is scheduled to be ended sequentially on a product-by-product basis starting in September 2027. The final closure date will be determined based on factors such as the fulfillment status of existing contractual supply obligations. We will provide further details regarding the transfer of production and the closure to affected customers and other stakeholders as soon as they are finalized.

Company Profile of Durez

Name	Durez Corporation
Location of Head Office	Commerce, Michigan, US
Plant locations	Niagara Falls Plant (New York), Kenton Plant (Ohio)
Representative	Hiroshi Nomura, CEO
Established	2000 (The Kenton Plant began operations in 1955.)
Paid-in capital	US$104.36 million
Number of Employees	165 (as of August 31, 2026)
Business Description	Manufacture and sale of phenolic resins and other products