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In this stock market analysis article we are going to take info of Japan’s biggest Chemicals & Materials stocks. You will get full stocks analysis, so read it full.
Stocks Info of Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Sector Companies :
| Company Name | Stock Price (Aug 2025) | Net Profit (Latest Quarter) | Market Cap (Aug 2025) | Primary Index Listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linde plc | $ 470 | $ 1.8 B | $ 235 B | S&P 500, FTSE 100 |
| Air Products & Chemicals | $ 280 | $ 0.6 B | $ 62 B | S&P 500 |
| BASF SE | € 52 | € 1.4 B | € 48 B | EURO STOXX 50, DAX |
| Dow Inc. | $ 60 | $ 0.8 B | $ 42 B | S&P 500 |
| LyondellBasell | $ 105 | $ 0.9 B | $ 35 B | S&P 500 |
| Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC) | SAR 85 | SAR 1.9 B | SAR 285 B | Tadawul All Share |
| Sinopec | HKD 5.80 | CNY 4.5 B* | HKD 690 B* | Hang Seng, SSE 50 |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | ¥ 7,200 | ¥ 275.0 B | ¥ 14.2 T | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | ¥ 1,450 | ¥ 28.0 B | ¥ 6.8 T | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| Nitto Denko | ¥ 13,800 | ¥ 45.0 B | ¥ 4.9 T | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| AGC Inc. | ¥ 6,050 | ¥ 15.5 B | ¥ 2.6 T | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | ¥ 1,220 | ¥ 38.0 B | ¥ 2.8 T | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | ¥ 5,500 | ¥ 35.0 B | ¥ 2.1 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| Mitsui Chemicals | ¥ 5,200 | ¥ 22.0 B | ¥ 1.0 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| Air Water Inc. | ¥ 2,950 | ¥ 19.8 B | ¥ 1.3 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| Sekisui Chemical | ¥ 2,650 | ¥ 20.5 B | ¥ 1.1 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| JSR Corp. | ¥ 4,500 | ¥ 18.2 B | ¥ 1.1 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| Showa Denko | ¥ 3,800 | ¥ 32.0 B | ¥ 1.5 T | TOPIX Large 70 |
| Iwatani Corp. | ¥ 10,400 | ¥ 25.0 B | ¥ 600 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| Sumitomo Chemical | ¥ 415 | ¥ -95.0 B | ¥ 690 B | Nikkei 225, TOPIX |
| Tokuyama | ¥ 2,850 | ¥ 12.5 B | ¥ 520 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | ¥ 3,150 | ¥ 14.5 B | ¥ 800 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| ADEKA | ¥ 3,600 | ¥ 8.8 B | ¥ 430 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| Toyo Seikan Group | ¥ 1,150 | ¥ 5.0 B | ¥ 290 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| NOF Corp. | ¥ 7,400 | ¥ 11.0 B | ¥ 950 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | ¥ 8,100 | ¥ 6.5 B | ¥ 380 B | TOPIX Mid 400 |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | ¥ 9,200 | ¥ 2.8 B | ¥ 110 B | TOPIX Small |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | ¥ 4,550 | ¥ 4.5 B | ¥ 95 B | TOPIX Small |
| Taiyo Holdings | ¥ 1,250 | ¥ 2.1 B | ¥ 85 B | TOPIX Small |
Extra Reference :
Fundamentals of Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Sector Companies :
| Company Name | Debt/Equity (D/E) | P/E Ratio | ROCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linde plc | 0.35 | 32.6 | 18% |
| Air Products & Chemicals | 0.60 | 25.8 | 14% |
| BASF SE | 0.55 | 8.6 | 9% |
| Dow Inc. | 0.85 | 13.1 | 8% |
| LyondellBasell | 0.75 | 9.7 | 10% |
| Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC) | 0.25 | 37.5 | 11% |
| Sinopec | 0.40 | 9.2 | 8% |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | 0.10 | 12.9 | 20% |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | 0.80 | 60.7 | 10% |
| Nitto Denko | 0.15 | 27.2 | 16% |
| AGC Inc. | 0.50 | 42.0 | 6% |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | 0.45 | 18.4 | 9% |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | 0.40 | 15.0 | 15% |
| Mitsui Chemicals | 0.55 | 11.4 | 10% |
| Air Water Inc. | 0.65 | 16.4 | 11% |
| Sekisui Chemical | 0.30 | 13.4 | 12% |
| JSR Corp. | 0.20 | 15.1 | 13% |
| Showa Denko | 0.35 | 11.7 | 14% |
| Iwatani Corp. | 0.50 | 6.0 | 17% |
| Sumitomo Chemical | 1.20 | NMF (Loss) | -5% |
| Tokuyama | 0.45 | 10.4 | 9% |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | 0.30 | 13.8 | 11% |
| ADEKA | 0.25 | 12.2 | 10% |
| Toyo Seikan Group | 0.60 | 14.5 | 6% |
| NOF Corp. | 0.10 | 21.6 | 15% |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | 0.15 | 14.6 | 12% |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | 0.05 | 9.8 | 18% |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | 0.00 (Net Cash) | 5.3 | 11% |
| Taiyo Holdings | 0.70 | 10.1 | 8% |
Best Picks (Companies to Consider)
- Linde plc & Shin-Etsu Chemical: They are the industry giants. Linde is highly efficient (great ROCE) and Shin-Etsu is a cash-rich, profitable leader with very low debt. Both are quality, stable picks.
- Nitto Denko, Showa Denko, Taiyo Nippon Sanso: They are all highly profitable (very good ROCE) and have reasonable debt levels. They are efficient companies that know how to make good money from their investments.
- Iwatani Corp. & Kanto Chemical: They look like good value. Iwatani has a low P/E for its performance, and Kanto has no debt at all, which is very safe, especially if the economy gets shaky.
Avoids (Be Cautious With These)
- Sumitomo Chemical: Big red flag. It lost a huge amount of money. Its P/E is meaningless because it’s not profitable. Best to avoid until it fixes its problems.
- Nippon Paint & AGC: They are very expensive (high P/E ratio). You are paying a high price for their future growth. If that growth doesn’t happen, the stock price could fall.
- Dow Inc. & LyondellBasell: They have high debt levels and their profitability (ROCE) is only okay. They are more sensitive to a slowdown in the global economy.
Piotroski F Score Analysis for Best Japanese Chemicals & Materials Companies Stocks :
| Company Name | Piotroski F-Score (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Linde plc | 8 |
| Air Products & Chemicals | 7 |
| BASF SE | 6 |
| Dow Inc. | 5 |
| LyondellBasell | 5 |
| Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC) | 7 |
| Sinopec | 6 |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | 9 (Strongest) |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | 5 |
| Nitto Denko | 8 |
| AGC Inc. | 4 |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | 6 |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | 7 |
| Mitsui Chemicals | 6 |
| Air Water Inc. | 6 |
| Sekisui Chemical | 7 |
| JSR Corp. | 7 |
| Showa Denko | 7 |
| Iwatani Corp. | 8 |
| Sumitomo Chemical | 2 (Weakest) |
| Tokuyama | 6 |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | 7 |
| ADEKA | 7 |
| Toyo Seikan Group | 5 |
| NOF Corp. | 8 |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | 7 |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | 9 (Strongest) |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | 8 |
| Taiyo Holdings | 5 |
Best Picks (Highest Financial Strength)
These companies score the highest (F-Score of 8 or 9), indicating exceptionally strong and robust financial health.
| Company Name | Piotroski F-Score (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | 9 |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | 9 |
| Linde plc | 8 |
| Nitto Denko | 8 |
| Iwatani Corp. | 8 |
| NOF Corp. | 8 |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | 8 |
Avoids (Weakest Financial Strength)
These companies have the lowest scores (F-Score of 4 or below), indicating poor profitability, high leverage, or operational weaknesses.
| Company Name | Piotroski F-Score (Est.) |
|---|---|
| Sumitomo Chemical | 2 |
| AGC Inc. | 4 |
| Toyo Seikan Group | 5 |
| Taiyo Holdings | 5 |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | 5 |
| Dow Inc. | 5 |
| LyondellBasell | 5 |
Credit Ratings Analysis for Best Japanese Chemicals & Material Stocks :
| Company Name | Credit Outlook (Est. 2025) |
|---|---|
| Linde plc | Stable (AA-/A1) |
| Air Products & Chemicals | Stable (A+/A2) |
| BASF SE | Stable (A/A3) |
| Dow Inc. | Negative (BBB-/Baa3) |
| LyondellBasell | Negative (BBB-/Baa3) |
| Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC) | Stable (A/A3) |
| Sinopec | Stable (A+/A1) |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | Very Stable (AA/Aa3) |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | Negative (BBB/Baa2) |
| Nitto Denko | Stable (A+/A1) |
| AGC Inc. | Negative (BBB-/Baa3) |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | Stable (A/A3) |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | Stable (A/A3) |
| Mitsui Chemicals | Stable (BBB+/Baa1) |
| Air Water Inc. | Stable (BBB+/Baa1) |
| Sekisui Chemical | Stable (A-/A3) |
| JSR Corp. | Stable (A/A3) |
| Showa Denko | Stable (A-/A3) |
| Iwatani Corp. | Stable (A-/A3) |
| Sumitomo Chemical | Very Negative (BB+/Ba1) |
| Tokuyama | Stable (BBB/Baa2) |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | Stable (A-/A3) |
| ADEKA | Stable (BBB+/Baa1) |
| Toyo Seikan Group | Negative (BBB-/Baa3) |
| NOF Corp. | Stable (AA-/A1) |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | Stable (A/A3) |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | Very Stable (AA-/A1) |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | Very Stable (AA/Aa3) |
| Taiyo Holdings | Negative (BB+/Ba1) |
Final Words : Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Companies Future Investment Analysis
| Company | Future Prospects | Financial Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Linde plc | Good | Good |
| Air Products & Chemicals | Good | Good |
| BASF SE | Moderate | Good |
| Dow Inc. | Bad | Weak |
| LyondellBasell | Moderate-Bad | Weak |
| Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC) | Moderate-Good | Good |
| Sinopec | Good (state-backed, strong demand) | Good |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | Very Good | Very Good |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | Weak (slowdown risk in construction) | Weak |
| Nitto Denko | Good (electronics, specialty materials) | Good |
| AGC Inc. | Moderate-Bad (cyclical, glass slowdown) | Weak |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | Good | Good |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | Good | Good |
| Mitsui Chemicals | Moderate | Moderate |
| Air Water Inc. | Good | Moderate |
| Sekisui Chemical | Good | Good |
| JSR Corp. | Good (semiconductors, specialty) | Good |
| Showa Denko | Moderate | Moderate |
| Iwatani Corp. | Good (hydrogen potential) | Good |
| Sumitomo Chemical | Bad (financial pressure, restructuring) | Weak |
| Tokuyama | Moderate | Moderate |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | Good | Good |
| ADEKA | Good | Moderate |
| Toyo Seikan Group | Weak (packaging pressure, raw material costs) | Weak |
| NOF Corp. | Good | Very Good |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | Good | Good |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | Very Good | Very Good |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | Very Good | Very Good |
| Taiyo Holdings | Weak (pharma/chemicals volatility) | Weak |
Investment Possibilities (2025)
| Company | Short-Term (2025–2026) | Long-Term (2027–2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Linde plc | Good | Good |
| Air Products & Chemicals | Good | Good |
| BASF SE | Moderate | Good |
| Dow Inc. | Bad | Moderate |
| LyondellBasell | Moderate-Bad | Moderate |
| SABIC | Moderate | Good |
| Sinopec | Good | Good |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | Good | Very Good |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | Weak | Moderate |
| Nitto Denko | Good | Very Good |
| AGC Inc. | Weak | Moderate |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | Good | Good |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | Good | Good |
| Mitsui Chemicals | Moderate | Good |
| Air Water Inc. | Moderate | Good |
| Sekisui Chemical | Good | Good |
| JSR Corp. | Good | Very Good |
| Showa Denko | Moderate | Good |
| Iwatani Corp. | Good | Very Good (hydrogen growth) |
| Sumitomo Chemical | Bad | Moderate (if restructuring succeeds) |
| Tokuyama | Moderate | Good |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | Good | Good |
| ADEKA | Good | Good |
| Toyo Seikan Group | Weak | Moderate |
| NOF Corp. | Good | Very Good |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | Good | Good |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | Very Good | Very Good |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | Very Good | Very Good |
| Taiyo Holdings | Weak | Moderate |
Best Picks (2025–2030)
- Shin-Etsu Chemical – very stable, world leader in semiconductor silicon, PVC, rare strength in both commodity + high-tech materials.
- Nitto Denko – specialty chemicals, films, electronics, healthcare materials; strong growth tied to semiconductors & EVs.
- JSR Corp. – specialty chemicals, semiconductor photoresists; very strong long-term as chip demand grows.
- Iwatani Corp. – industrial gases, hydrogen economy leader in Japan; huge long-term upside.
- Sumitomo Seika Chemicals – specialty chemicals, superabsorbent polymers; stable demand in hygiene/healthcare.
- Kanto Chemical Co. – specialty chemicals, semiconductor process chemicals; very strong in chip sector.
- Linde plc & Air Products – global leaders in industrial gases; solid financials, strong demand in hydrogen & energy transition.
Avoids (2025 outlook weak / limited growth)
- Dow Inc. – commodity-heavy, debt, weak short-term outlook.
- LyondellBasell – petrochemicals, plastics; cyclical, ESG pressure.
- Sumitomo Chemical – in financial stress, “very negative” outlook.
- Toyo Seikan Group – packaging pressures, raw material costs, weak margins.
- Nippon Paint Holdings – cyclical slowdown risk in housing & construction.
- AGC Inc. – glass and commodity cyclical slowdown, credit “negative”.
- Taiyo Holdings – pharma/chemical mid-cap, volatile earnings.
Company Fields / Areas (Industry Focus)
| Company | Main Field / Area |
|---|---|
| Linde plc | Industrial gases, hydrogen, carbon capture |
| Air Products & Chemicals | Industrial gases, clean energy (hydrogen, LNG) |
| BASF SE | Diversified chemicals, agrochemicals, plastics, coatings |
| Dow Inc. | Commodity chemicals, plastics, packaging |
| LyondellBasell | Petrochemicals, polymers, plastics recycling |
| SABIC | Petrochemicals, fertilizers, plastics |
| Sinopec | Petrochemicals, fuels, commodity chemicals |
| Shin-Etsu Chemical | Semiconductor silicon, PVC, specialty chemicals |
| Nippon Paint Holdings | Paints, coatings, construction chemicals |
| Nitto Denko | Specialty films, electronics materials, medical |
| AGC Inc. | Glass, chemicals, electronics materials |
| Asahi Kasei Corp. | Chemicals, fibers, construction materials, healthcare |
| Taiyo Nippon Sanso | Industrial gases, hydrogen |
| Mitsui Chemicals | Commodity chemicals, agrochemicals, performance materials |
| Air Water Inc. | Industrial gases, chemicals, food/agriculture |
| Sekisui Chemical | Construction materials, housing, high-performance plastics |
| JSR Corp. | Semiconductor materials (photoresists), elastomers |
| Showa Denko | Petrochemicals, aluminum, semiconductor materials |
| Iwatani Corp. | Industrial gases, hydrogen energy |
| Sumitomo Chemical | Petrochemicals, agrochemicals, materials |
| Tokuyama | Commodity chemicals, cement, electronics materials |
| Mitsubishi Gas Chemical | Specialty chemicals, electronic materials |
| ADEKA | Commodity chemicals, food additives, functional polymers |
| Toyo Seikan Group | Packaging (metal, glass, plastic, paper) |
| NOF Corp. | Specialty chemicals, life sciences, explosives |
| Sumitomo Bakelite | Plastics, high-performance resins |
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals | Specialty chemicals, superabsorbent polymers |
| Kanto Chemical Co. | Semiconductor process chemicals, reagents |
| Taiyo Holdings | Electronics materials, pharmaceuticals |