Tokai Carbon completes acquisition of Bridgestone plant in Thailand, begins production at new Thai plant

Tokai Carbon recently achieved two major milestones in Thailand.

The company:

• Completed the acquisition of the former Bridgestone carbon black plant in Rayong, and

• Began production trials at its newly built carbon black plant, also in Rayong

The Bridgestone acquisition was announced in July. Under the deal, Tokai Carbon acquired Bridgestone's carbon black plant in Rayong province, Thailand, which operated as Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) Co., Ltd. The plant was built in 2001. The plant now operates as Thai Tokai Carbon Product Rojana Co., Ltd.

Additionally, Thai Tokai Carbon Product, Tokai's existing subsidiary in Thailand, has been engaged in a long term project to move its existing plant to a new location. The existing plant is located in Sriracha, Chonburi province, while the new location is in the LK-Rich Rubber Industrial City Hub in Rayong province. Construction of the new factory was completed earlier this year, and trial production began in September. Notch understands that the existing plant will continue to operate until approvals are received for the new plant, at which time the old plant will be decommissioned. This is expected to occur in the second half of 2026. The new plant was budgeted at $285 million.