Mitsui Chemicals, Idemitsu and Sumitomo Chemical get Japan Fair Trade Commission clearance
Last update on Apr 27, 2026
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. announced on September 10, 2025, that they had reached a basic agreement to integrate certain polyolefin (PO) businesses in Japan. The plan covers the PO business operated by Prime Polymer Co., Ltd., along with Sumitomo Chemical’s polypropylene (PP) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) operations in the country.
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No cease-and-desist order will be issued
According to the companies, the integration is intended to support Japanese industries by strengthening the resilience of these businesses and improving the competitiveness of PO products, including PP and polyethylene (PE), in Japan. On December 24, 2025, the companies announced that they had signed a business integration agreement and a joint venture agreement related to the transaction.
As part of the process, Prime Polymer and Sumitomo Chemical submitted a plan notification to the Japan Fair Trade Commission under the Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade. The companies stated that the review process has been completed, and they have received confirmation that no cease-and-desist order will be issued.
The companies also noted that merger review procedures with competition authorities outside Japan are still in progress. The integration is expected to proceed once these reviews are completed.