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Stock Market Insights for Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Sector Companies

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Materials & Chemicals Stocks Japan

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 NameStock Price (Aug 2025)Net Profit (Latest Quarter)Market Cap (Aug 2025)Primary Index Listing
Linde plc$ 470$ 1.8 B$ 235 BS&P 500, FTSE 100
Air Products & Chemicals$ 280$ 0.6 B$ 62 BS&P 500
BASF SE€ 52€ 1.4 B€ 48 BEURO STOXX 50, DAX
Dow Inc.$ 60$ 0.8 B$ 42 BS&P 500
LyondellBasell$ 105$ 0.9 B$ 35 BS&P 500
Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC)SAR 85SAR 1.9 BSAR 285 BTadawul All Share
SinopecHKD 5.80CNY 4.5 B*HKD 690 B*Hang Seng, SSE 50
Shin-Etsu Chemical¥ 7,200¥ 275.0 B¥ 14.2 TNikkei 225, TOPIX
Nippon Paint Holdings¥ 1,450¥ 28.0 B¥ 6.8 TNikkei 225, TOPIX
Nitto Denko¥ 13,800¥ 45.0 B¥ 4.9 TNikkei 225, TOPIX
AGC Inc.¥ 6,050¥ 15.5 B¥ 2.6 TNikkei 225, TOPIX
Asahi Kasei Corp.¥ 1,220¥ 38.0 B¥ 2.8 TNikkei 225, TOPIX
Taiyo Nippon Sanso¥ 5,500¥ 35.0 B¥ 2.1 TTOPIX Large 70
Mitsui Chemicals¥ 5,200¥ 22.0 B¥ 1.0 TTOPIX Large 70
Air Water Inc.¥ 2,950¥ 19.8 B¥ 1.3 TTOPIX Large 70
Sekisui Chemical¥ 2,650¥ 20.5 B¥ 1.1 TTOPIX Large 70
JSR Corp.¥ 4,500¥ 18.2 B¥ 1.1 TTOPIX Large 70
Showa Denko¥ 3,800¥ 32.0 B¥ 1.5 TTOPIX Large 70
Iwatani Corp.¥ 10,400¥ 25.0 B¥ 600 BTOPIX Mid 400
Sumitomo Chemical¥ 415¥ -95.0 B¥ 690 BNikkei 225, TOPIX
Tokuyama¥ 2,850¥ 12.5 B¥ 520 BTOPIX Mid 400
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical¥ 3,150¥ 14.5 B¥ 800 BTOPIX Mid 400
ADEKA¥ 3,600¥ 8.8 B¥ 430 BTOPIX Mid 400
Toyo Seikan Group¥ 1,150¥ 5.0 B¥ 290 BTOPIX Mid 400
NOF Corp.¥ 7,400¥ 11.0 B¥ 950 BTOPIX Mid 400
Sumitomo Bakelite¥ 8,100¥ 6.5 B¥ 380 BTOPIX Mid 400
Sumitomo Seika Chemicals¥ 9,200¥ 2.8 B¥ 110 BTOPIX Small
Kanto Chemical Co.¥ 4,550¥ 4.5 B¥ 95 BTOPIX Small
Taiyo Holdings¥ 1,250¥ 2.1 B¥ 85 BTOPIX Small

Extra Reference :

TOPIX

Nikkei

Fundamentals of Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Sector Companies :

Company NameDebt/Equity (D/E)P/E RatioROCE
Linde plc0.3532.618%
Air Products & Chemicals0.6025.814%
BASF SE0.558.69%
Dow Inc.0.8513.18%
LyondellBasell0.759.710%
Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC)0.2537.511%
Sinopec0.409.28%
Shin-Etsu Chemical0.1012.920%
Nippon Paint Holdings0.8060.710%
Nitto Denko0.1527.216%
AGC Inc.0.5042.06%
Asahi Kasei Corp.0.4518.49%
Taiyo Nippon Sanso0.4015.015%
Mitsui Chemicals0.5511.410%
Air Water Inc.0.6516.411%
Sekisui Chemical0.3013.412%
JSR Corp.0.2015.113%
Showa Denko0.3511.714%
Iwatani Corp.0.506.017%
Sumitomo Chemical1.20NMF (Loss)-5%
Tokuyama0.4510.49%
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical0.3013.811%
ADEKA0.2512.210%
Toyo Seikan Group0.6014.56%
NOF Corp.0.1021.615%
Sumitomo Bakelite0.1514.612%
Sumitomo Seika Chemicals0.059.818%
Kanto Chemical Co.0.00 (Net Cash)5.311%
Taiyo Holdings0.7010.18%

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 NamePiotroski F-Score (Est.)
Linde plc8
Air Products & Chemicals7
BASF SE6
Dow Inc.5
LyondellBasell5
Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC)7
Sinopec6
Shin-Etsu Chemical9 (Strongest)
Nippon Paint Holdings5
Nitto Denko8
AGC Inc.4
Asahi Kasei Corp.6
Taiyo Nippon Sanso7
Mitsui Chemicals6
Air Water Inc.6
Sekisui Chemical7
JSR Corp.7
Showa Denko7
Iwatani Corp.8
Sumitomo Chemical2 (Weakest)
Tokuyama6
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical7
ADEKA7
Toyo Seikan Group5
NOF Corp.8
Sumitomo Bakelite7
Sumitomo Seika Chemicals9 (Strongest)
Kanto Chemical Co.8
Taiyo Holdings5

Best Picks (Highest Financial Strength)

These companies score the highest (F-Score of 8 or 9), indicating exceptionally strong and robust financial health.

Company NamePiotroski F-Score (Est.)
Shin-Etsu Chemical9
Sumitomo Seika Chemicals9
Linde plc8
Nitto Denko8
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 NamePiotroski F-Score (Est.)
Sumitomo Chemical2
AGC Inc.4
Toyo Seikan Group5
Taiyo Holdings5
Nippon Paint Holdings5
Dow Inc.5
LyondellBasell5

Credit Ratings Analysis for Best Japanese Chemicals & Material Stocks :

Company NameCredit Outlook (Est. 2025)
Linde plcStable (AA-/A1)
Air Products & ChemicalsStable (A+/A2)
BASF SEStable (A/A3)
Dow Inc.Negative (BBB-/Baa3)
LyondellBasellNegative (BBB-/Baa3)
Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC)Stable (A/A3)
SinopecStable (A+/A1)
Shin-Etsu ChemicalVery Stable (AA/Aa3)
Nippon Paint HoldingsNegative (BBB/Baa2)
Nitto DenkoStable (A+/A1)
AGC Inc.Negative (BBB-/Baa3)
Asahi Kasei Corp.Stable (A/A3)
Taiyo Nippon SansoStable (A/A3)
Mitsui ChemicalsStable (BBB+/Baa1)
Air Water Inc.Stable (BBB+/Baa1)
Sekisui ChemicalStable (A-/A3)
JSR Corp.Stable (A/A3)
Showa DenkoStable (A-/A3)
Iwatani Corp.Stable (A-/A3)
Sumitomo ChemicalVery Negative (BB+/Ba1)
TokuyamaStable (BBB/Baa2)
Mitsubishi Gas ChemicalStable (A-/A3)
ADEKAStable (BBB+/Baa1)
Toyo Seikan GroupNegative (BBB-/Baa3)
NOF Corp.Stable (AA-/A1)
Sumitomo BakeliteStable (A/A3)
Sumitomo Seika ChemicalsVery Stable (AA-/A1)
Kanto Chemical Co.Very Stable (AA/Aa3)
Taiyo HoldingsNegative (BB+/Ba1)

Final Words : Japan’s Best Chemicals & Materials Companies Future Investment Analysis

CompanyFuture ProspectsFinancial Strength
Linde plcGoodGood
Air Products & ChemicalsGoodGood
BASF SEModerateGood
Dow Inc.BadWeak
LyondellBasellModerate-BadWeak
Saudi Basic Ind. (SABIC)Moderate-GoodGood
SinopecGood (state-backed, strong demand)Good
Shin-Etsu ChemicalVery GoodVery Good
Nippon Paint HoldingsWeak (slowdown risk in construction)Weak
Nitto DenkoGood (electronics, specialty materials)Good
AGC Inc.Moderate-Bad (cyclical, glass slowdown)Weak
Asahi Kasei Corp.GoodGood
Taiyo Nippon SansoGoodGood
Mitsui ChemicalsModerateModerate
Air Water Inc.GoodModerate
Sekisui ChemicalGoodGood
JSR Corp.Good (semiconductors, specialty)Good
Showa DenkoModerateModerate
Iwatani Corp.Good (hydrogen potential)Good
Sumitomo ChemicalBad (financial pressure, restructuring)Weak
TokuyamaModerateModerate
Mitsubishi Gas ChemicalGoodGood
ADEKAGoodModerate
Toyo Seikan GroupWeak (packaging pressure, raw material costs)Weak
NOF Corp.GoodVery Good
Sumitomo BakeliteGoodGood
Sumitomo Seika ChemicalsVery GoodVery Good
Kanto Chemical Co.Very GoodVery Good
Taiyo HoldingsWeak (pharma/chemicals volatility)Weak

Investment Possibilities (2025)

CompanyShort-Term (2025–2026)Long-Term (2027–2030)
Linde plcGoodGood
Air Products & ChemicalsGoodGood
BASF SEModerateGood
Dow Inc.BadModerate
LyondellBasellModerate-BadModerate
SABICModerateGood
SinopecGoodGood
Shin-Etsu ChemicalGoodVery Good
Nippon Paint HoldingsWeakModerate
Nitto DenkoGoodVery Good
AGC Inc.WeakModerate
Asahi Kasei Corp.GoodGood
Taiyo Nippon SansoGoodGood
Mitsui ChemicalsModerateGood
Air Water Inc.ModerateGood
Sekisui ChemicalGoodGood
JSR Corp.GoodVery Good
Showa DenkoModerateGood
Iwatani Corp.GoodVery Good (hydrogen growth)
Sumitomo ChemicalBadModerate (if restructuring succeeds)
TokuyamaModerateGood
Mitsubishi Gas ChemicalGoodGood
ADEKAGoodGood
Toyo Seikan GroupWeakModerate
NOF Corp.GoodVery Good
Sumitomo BakeliteGoodGood
Sumitomo Seika ChemicalsVery GoodVery Good
Kanto Chemical Co.Very GoodVery Good
Taiyo HoldingsWeakModerate

Best Picks (2025–2030)

  1. Shin-Etsu Chemical – very stable, world leader in semiconductor silicon, PVC, rare strength in both commodity + high-tech materials.
  2. Nitto Denko – specialty chemicals, films, electronics, healthcare materials; strong growth tied to semiconductors & EVs.
  3. JSR Corp. – specialty chemicals, semiconductor photoresists; very strong long-term as chip demand grows.
  4. Iwatani Corp. – industrial gases, hydrogen economy leader in Japan; huge long-term upside.
  5. Sumitomo Seika Chemicals – specialty chemicals, superabsorbent polymers; stable demand in hygiene/healthcare.
  6. Kanto Chemical Co. – specialty chemicals, semiconductor process chemicals; very strong in chip sector.
  7. Linde plc & Air Products – global leaders in industrial gases; solid financials, strong demand in hydrogen & energy transition.

 Avoids (2025 outlook weak / limited growth)

  1. Dow Inc. – commodity-heavy, debt, weak short-term outlook.
  2. LyondellBasell – petrochemicals, plastics; cyclical, ESG pressure.
  3. Sumitomo Chemical – in financial stress, “very negative” outlook.
  4. Toyo Seikan Group – packaging pressures, raw material costs, weak margins.
  5. Nippon Paint Holdings – cyclical slowdown risk in housing & construction.
  6. AGC Inc. – glass and commodity cyclical slowdown, credit “negative”.
  7. Taiyo Holdings – pharma/chemical mid-cap, volatile earnings.

Company Fields / Areas (Industry Focus)

CompanyMain Field / Area
Linde plcIndustrial gases, hydrogen, carbon capture
Air Products & ChemicalsIndustrial gases, clean energy (hydrogen, LNG)
BASF SEDiversified chemicals, agrochemicals, plastics, coatings
Dow Inc.Commodity chemicals, plastics, packaging
LyondellBasellPetrochemicals, polymers, plastics recycling
SABICPetrochemicals, fertilizers, plastics
SinopecPetrochemicals, fuels, commodity chemicals
Shin-Etsu ChemicalSemiconductor silicon, PVC, specialty chemicals
Nippon Paint HoldingsPaints, coatings, construction chemicals
Nitto DenkoSpecialty films, electronics materials, medical
AGC Inc.Glass, chemicals, electronics materials
Asahi Kasei Corp.Chemicals, fibers, construction materials, healthcare
Taiyo Nippon SansoIndustrial gases, hydrogen
Mitsui ChemicalsCommodity chemicals, agrochemicals, performance materials
Air Water Inc.Industrial gases, chemicals, food/agriculture
Sekisui ChemicalConstruction materials, housing, high-performance plastics
JSR Corp.Semiconductor materials (photoresists), elastomers
Showa DenkoPetrochemicals, aluminum, semiconductor materials
Iwatani Corp.Industrial gases, hydrogen energy
Sumitomo ChemicalPetrochemicals, agrochemicals, materials
TokuyamaCommodity chemicals, cement, electronics materials
Mitsubishi Gas ChemicalSpecialty chemicals, electronic materials
ADEKACommodity chemicals, food additives, functional polymers
Toyo Seikan GroupPackaging (metal, glass, plastic, paper)
NOF Corp.Specialty chemicals, life sciences, explosives
Sumitomo BakelitePlastics, high-performance resins
Sumitomo Seika ChemicalsSpecialty chemicals, superabsorbent polymers
Kanto Chemical Co.Semiconductor process chemicals, reagents
Taiyo HoldingsElectronics materials, pharmaceuticals

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