Mitsubishi Chemical to Exit Toner Resin Business

Mitsubishi Chemical to Exit Toner Resin Business

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has announced its decision to withdraw from the production and sales of polyester resin used in printer toner, citing long-term profitability concerns amid changing market dynamics.

In its official statement, Mitsubishi said it will cease production of its Diacron™ polyester resin by March 31, 2026, with all sales scheduled to end by June 30, 2026. The Tokai Plant will continue operations for other business lines, but the polyester resin for toner production will be phased out over the next year.

The decision comes after more than three decades in the toner resin business, which the company first entered in 1989. However, the landscape has shifted considerably in recent years. The global move toward paperless workflows, accelerated by remote work trends following the COVID-19 pandemic, hassharply reduced demand for printed materials.

Mitsubishi also cited rising raw material prices and increasing labor costs as key factors that have eroded the business’s profitability. While the company made efforts to counter these pressures by streamlining operations and reducing fixed costs, it ultimately concluded that there is little potential for recovery or growth in the current business climate.

This announcement comes just one year after Mitsui Chemicals revealed its own plan to exit the toner resin business. Mitsui, a leading supplier of both styrene-acrylic and polyester resins for toner binders, said in 2024 that it would cease operations by mid-2025, citing “extreme pressure” on profitability caused by intense price competition, soaring input costs, and shrinking print volumes tied to post-pandemic workstyle shifts.

The departures highlight a broader structural shift in the industry. Traditionally, OEMs sourced toner resins from large Japanese chemical firms like Mitsui and Mitsubishi. With these suppliers exiting, OEMs and toner manufacturers will face increased supply chain uncertainty and may be forced to turn to smaller or less established suppliers in a tightening market.

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