JFTC Opens Secondary Review Concerning the Proposed Acquisition of Polypropylene and Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Manufacturing and Sales Business of SUMITOMO CHEMICAL by Prime Polymer and Solicits Comments from Third Parties

　The Japan Fair Trade Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “JFTC”) received the notification pursuant to the provision of the Antimonopoly Act (AMA) from Prime Polymer Co., Ltd. (JCN 4010401057155) (hereinafter referred to as “Prime Polymer”) and SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED (JCN 2010001071327) (hereinafter referred to as “SUMITOMO CHEMICAL”) concerning the proposed acquisition through absorption-type company split of polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene manufacturing and sales business of SUMITOMO CHEMICAL by Prime Polymer, and has reviewed possible impacts on competition from the proposed acquisition. With the knowledge that a more in-depth review is necessary, today, the JFTC requested Prime Polymer and SUMITOMO CHEMICAL to submit further reports, information or materials, prescribed in the provision of Article 10(9) of the AMA as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provision of Article 15-2(4) of the AMA. The JFTC also starts soliciting comments from third parties concerning possible impacts on competition that would arise from the proposed acquisition in the manner shown below.
　The request by the JFTC for reports, etc. does not imply that the proposed acquisition would pose any concerns with respect to the AMA.

Note: This acquisition will be executed by Prime Polymer, a joint venture between Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., acquiring SUMITOMO CHEMICAL’s polypropylene and linear low-density polyethylene manufacturing and sales business through an absorption-type split, and in consideration thereof, delivering shares of Prime Polymer to SUMITOMO CHEMICAL.

1. Submission of comments

　Please submit your comments by postal mail or e-mail, identifying your name, address and contact information (telephone number or e-mail address). If you submit as a corporation or an association, please identify the location of main office, name of a corporation or an association and name of a liaison person. Please describe, in Japanese, possible impacts on competition that you consider the proposed split would have, as specifically as possible. Submitting a comment by phone can’t be accepted.

(1) Address:

　Mergers and Acquisitions Division, Economic Affairs Bureau, General Secretariat,
　Japan Fair Trade Commission
　Toranomon Alcea Tower, 2-2-3 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001
　E-mail: po_2025_atsign_jftc.go.jp
　(Please replace “_atsign_” with “@”, when you send an e-mail.)

(2) Due date

　January 26, 2026 (GMT+9)

2. Privacy policy

　Comments received will be used only for the purpose of reviewing the proposed split. Please note that the JFTC will not make individual responses to the comments.
　The JFTC requests your identification and contact information solely for the purpose of contacting you in the event that any clarification is required regarding the content of your comments. The information provided will not be used for any other purposes.