Asahi Kasei Corp

TSE:3407

Earnings Call Transcript 2021-Q3

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Good afternoon. Thank you very much for joining the conference call on Asahi Kasei Corporation's Earnings for Q3 FY 2020. This is Futoshi Hamamoto from Investor Relations.

We will begin with a presentation from Yutaka Shibata, CFO, and then take questions. Other participants from Asahi Kasei are Yozo Sato, Corporate Accounting and Control; Takuya Takahashi, Basic Materials Strategic Business Unit, or SBU; Yukifumi Kuwaba, Performance Products SBU; Hiroaki Sugiyama, Specialty Solutions SBU; Akira Fukuda, Separator Administration, Specialty Solutions SBU; Izumi Kawata, Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation; Kensuke Sakai, Asahi Kasei Homes Corporation; and Yuji Kib Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation.

I will give the floor to Mr. Shibata now.

[Yutaka Shibata, executive]

[Interpreted] Good afternoon. This is Yutaka Shibata, CFO. Thank you for joining us for our Q3 FY 2020 earnings briefing. Let us begin with Slide 2, which shows an overview of Q3 results. This time, I will discuss both quarterly Q3 results and the 9 months cumulative results as the 2 look quite different.

For the October to December quarter alone, consolidated net sales came to JPY 547.3 billion. Operating income grew JPY 52.7 billion. Both figures were up from the same period previous year. Quarterly operating income for materials returned to a year ago level, thanks to recovery in the second half in automotive-related markets and petrochemical market prices.

Homes and Health Care were up year-on-year, thanks to firm performance continuing from the first half in real estate for Homes and Critical Care for health care.

Now for the cumulative 3 quarters from April to December, the group posted net sales of JPY 1,536.7 billion and operating income of JPY 129.5 billion. Both figures are down from the same period previous year due to the impact of COVID-19 in the first half. The decline comes from material. Fortunately, the situation bottomed in Q1 and performance has been steadily improving since Q2 on the back of recovery in automotive-related markets. Meanwhile, Homes and Health Care operating income increased from the same period a year ago despite the negative impact of COVID-19.

Let us now go to Slide 8 shows profit and loss for the cumulative 3 quarters from April to December. Net sales came to JPY 1,536.7 billion, down JPY 51.9 billion from the same period previous year. Gross profit came to JPY 500.7 billion for a gross profit margin of 32.6%, almost unchanged from a year ago. SG&A came to JPY 371.2 billion, an increase by JPY 2.1 billion from a year ago. Due to COVID-19, some expenses such as that for travel came down.

On the other hand, there was an increase in amortization of goodwill and intangible assets associated with the acquisition of Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Labor expenses increased for operations that were strong during the period.

Operating income came to JPY 129.5 billion down JPY 10.7 billion from the same period previous year, bringing down operating income margin by 0.4 percentage points to 8.4%. The net of nonoperating items was a net income of JPY 2.8 billion, down JPY 2.7 billion from the same period previous year. Foreign exchange loss improved, but equity and earnings or losses of affiliates came down by JPY 5.4 billion, a major factor here was PTT Asahi Chemical, which produces MMA and Acrylonitrile, or AN, in Thailand.

The net of extraordinary items was a net loss of JPY 14.1 billion, which has declined by JPY 14.6 billion from the same period previous year. Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment came down, and we recognized JPY 11.6 billion in loss on fire at plant facilities related to the fire at a semiconductor plant last October.

Pretax income came to JPY 118.2 billion, down JPY 28 billion from the same period previous year. Income taxes amounted to JPY 36.5 billion, less JPY 4.6 billion from a year ago. Net income attributable to owners of the parent came to JPY 80 billion, down JPY 23.8 billion year-on-year.

Please turn to Slide 9. The balance sheet as of the end of December 2020. Compared to the end of March 2020, total assets increased by JPY 49 billion. Intangible assets decreased with the progress in goodwill amortization. Cash and deposits increased. Investment securities valuation increased against the backdrop of rising stock prices in the Japanese market.

Liabilities on the right side increased by JPY 18.3 billion, mainly coming from an increase in interest-bearing debt of JPY 14.9 billion. Net assets were up JPY 30.6 billion between dividend payments of about JPY 45.8 billion and net profit for the term of JPY 80 billion as well as net gain on investment securities revaluation on rising stock prices. Debt-to-equity ratio was 0.52% on a gross basis and 0.34% on a net basis.

Please turn to Slide 10. Consolidated cash flows. Cash flows from operating activities were net cash inflow of JPY 175.4 billion. Main inflows were income before income taxes totaling JPY 118.2 billion, and depreciation and amortization totaling JPY 80.2 billion. Year-on-year, operating cash flows increased despite a decrease in income before income taxes owing to improved efficiency in operating capital, such as a reduction in inventories.

Cash flows from investing activities were net cash outflow of JPY 104.7 billion, reflecting investment in plant and equipment, and payments for the transfer of business of Adient PLC. Free cash flows were net inflow of JPY 70.7 billion. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period totaled JPY 247.1 billion.

Please turn to Slide 11. Sales and operating income increased and decreased by segment for the 9-month period. In materials, sales volume differential had a negative impact during the 9-month period, affected by a decrease in demand during the first half in the automotive-related market and the apparel market. The impact of lower prices of petrochemical products was negative in terms of sales price differential but was positive in terms of fuel and raw material cost difference in others. The net effect of changes in terms of trade was negative.

As mentioned earlier, automotive-related and petrochemical markets improved in Q3. And so the operating income for materials for Q3 alone recovered to the level comparable to the previous year.

Going back to Slide 3, full year forecast. We are forecasting net sales of JPY 2,091 billion and operating income of JPY 160 billion. We are seeing a good progress in each of the segments. Compared to the guidance announced in November, operating income forecast is revised upward by JPY 20 billion. By segment, the largest upward revision is for materials by JPY 14 billion.

Homes is revised upward by JPY 2.5 billion and Health Care by JPY 5.5 billion. Operating income is projected to decrease from Q3 to Q4. There are 2 main reasons. One is a seasonal factor, Q4 being a low demand quarter for many businesses. The other is concentration of various leading investments made in different businesses in preparation for the next fiscal year and beyond. So it is not that we expect a softer tone of businesses for Q4.

Let me elaborate on the situation in the Materials segment. In Basic Materials, operating income forecast is revised upward by JPY 3.4 billion as we expect improved terms of trade for Acrylonitrile, AN. Performance products is revised upward by JPY 4.1 billion as we expect recovery in automotive and other markets. Specialty Solutions is revised upward by JPY 5.9 billion. In light of the sale of inventory of certain semiconductor products, from the plant affected by the fire as well as firm performance expected for the separator business.

Please turn to Slide 4. Net income is forecasted at JPY 71 billion, which is JPY 16 billion lower than the November forecast. There are 2 main reasons for this downward revision. One is an increase in extraordinary loss as an impact of the fire at the semiconductor plant. The other is an increase in income tax expense in relation to Veloxis acquired in fiscal 2019, we decided in Q3 to implement reorganization within the Asahi Kasei Group. Veloxis was listed in Denmark, but is actually operating out of the U.S.

And since the acquisition, we have been working to realize the intra-group reorganization and optimization. And along with that process, there will be taxation on gain on the intra-group asset transfer, the amount of which is currently estimated at around JPY 25 billion. But we expect to save a comparable amount in corporate income tax in FY 2021.

Year-end dividend is forecasted to be JPY 17 per share for a total annual dividend of JPY 34 per share based on the operating forecast. No change to our basic policy to pursue stable dividends and continuously increased dividends and to determine the year-end dividend based on the full year results.

That concludes my presentation. Thank you for your attention.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] We will now take questions. Yamada from Mizuho Securities.

[Mikiya Yamada, analyst]

[Interpreted] First, on material. I understand that among performance products, automotive-related business is recovering. Does the upward revision reflect that contribution only for Q3? Or does it also reflect expectations for continued strength in Q4?

And on separators, you mentioned that you expect firm performance. How much growth do you expect? Can you provide us with a number perhaps? Further, on the fire and associated extraordinary loss, can you explain how you are accounting for fixed costs related to nonoperating assets? Are such costs transferred to nonoperating expenses or to extraordinary loss?

[Yukifumi Kuwaba, executive]

[Interpreted] Kuwaba from Performance Products. Between Q3 and Q4, we expect automotive-related demand to remain firm. However, consumables will be down significantly in Q4 compared with Q3 and partly because Q4 demand is seasonally slow and also because some fixed costs have been pushed back from Q3 into Q4.

For engineering plastics and synthetic rubber for automotive applications, demand remains firm, and we, therefore, expect Q4 to be up. For fibers, including Sage-related operations, some fixed costs have been pushed back from Q3 into Q4, and we expect Q4 to be down from Q3.

[Mikiya Yamada, analyst]

[Interpreted] That means you are expecting quite a lot of fixed costs in Q4 then?

[Yukifumi Kuwaba, executive]

[Interpreted] Yes, that is correct.

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda from Separator administration. Regarding LIB separator shipments, first half shipments were up 30% year-on-year. Q3 was up 50% plus. And for Q4, we expect an increase slightly below 50% so that the second half total would be up by around 50% year-on-year. Settle from corporate accounting and control.

Regarding the fire-related loss, yes, production-related fixed costs during the nonoperating period have been transferred to extraordinary loss. The amount is not large. It is about 10% of the JPY 11.6 billion loss booked in Q3.

[Mikiya Yamada, analyst]

[Interpreted] Does that mean when production resumes later, we will not have to worry about a large amount of fixed costs being recognized just then and pushing down operating income?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] That is correct.

[Mikiya Yamada, analyst]

[Interpreted] My next question is related to Veloxis and the tax expenses. Is it correct to understand that there will be taxation on gain from capital reallocation this year, but next year, there will be a tax shield that reduces income taxes for a similar amount? And is the USD 94 million sales of the Veloxis drug for the first 3 quarters, in line with the business plan or actually higher?

[Yutaka Shibata, executive]

[Interpreted] First, regarding tax expenses. In Q3, we decided on an intra-group reorganization. The process involves asset transfer resulting in taxable gains, and we plan to book such tax expenses in Q4. But also as part of the reorganization process, when we liquidate companies that are no longer needed, associated losses will be deductible. That will happen in FY 2021. These are 2 separate steps whose tax impacts will cancel each other out in the end.

Just to make sure, liquidation will happen in the next financial year, so associated losses are only deductible then, whereas asset transfer happens this year, so taxation on gain also happens this year.

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] Kiva from Asahi Kasei Pharma. Regarding your question about Veloxis operations, yes, they are in line with the business plan, even with COVID 19. Sales figures are also in line.

[Mikiya Yamada, analyst]

[Interpreted] The cumulative 9-month sales in U.S. of $94 million and Q3 sales of $34 million look higher than the 30% growth that you were forecasting, don't they?

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] Our view is that the business is continuing steady growth.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Watabe from Morgan Stanley MUFG securities.

[Takato Watabe, analyst]

[Interpreted] My first question is on critical Care. Can you tell us why Q3 operating income was only JPY 12 billion compared with JPY 15 billion in Q2? And what should we expect for Q4, including the outlook for ventilators, please?

[Yutaka Shibata, executive]

[Interpreted] Shibata speaking. Quarterly figures for critical care are affected by fluctuations in ventilator shipments. We received a $350 million bulk order from the U.S. government. Approximately half of that was booked as sales in the first half, and the remainder is booked in Q3 and Q4. Most of the first half figure was actually in Q2 and shipments have been coming down since. So Q3 and Q4 are both down quarter-on-quarter.

[Takato Watabe, analyst]

[Interpreted] Other than ventilators, is the rest not much different from the previous year?

[Yutaka Shibata, executive]

[Interpreted] That is generally correct, although the impact of COVID-19 varies by product.

[Takato Watabe, analyst]

[Interpreted] Other than that $350 million order from the U.S. government, isn't there anymore, perhaps outside of the United States?

[Yutaka Shibata, executive]

[Interpreted] We did get some unexpected orders from other countries, too. But with vaccines being rolled out and initial demand for ventilator systems already being met, we only expect shipments of accessories and disposables for the time being.

[Takato Watabe, analyst]

[Interpreted] My next question is about Homes where real estate operations are considerably boosting operating income. What is your outlook for FY 2021? I know it might be a little early, but is there anything you can tell us now? And how is the current home order environment? It appears to have improved in January, but is that only because January is a rather quiet month?

[Masateru Sakai, executive]

[Interpreted] Sakai from Asahi Kasei Homes. Regarding real estate, there has been a rather large number of condominium units delivered this year. In other words, FY 2021 will probably not be at the same level.

Regarding the environment for home orders, orders received in January were up year-on-year, thanks to a successful nationwide online campaign and continued contribution from larger homes. However, after a second stage of emergency was declared in parts of Japan, visitor count at our Model Home Parks were down 40% year-on-year in January. We are, therefore, closely monitoring the situation.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Miyamoto from SMBC Nikko Securities.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] First, on Specialty Solutions. Q3 operating income was up JPY 2.7 billion from Q2. Did that come from firm performance in separators? On the other hand, your Q4 forecast is down JPY 4 billion from Q3. And is that because of the fire at the semiconductor facility or perhaps seasonality? Can you help us understand the quarter-on-quarter changes for this business category from Q2 through Q4, please? .

[Hiroaki Sugiyama, executive]

[Interpreted] Sugiyama from Specialty Solutions. The increase in sales and operating income from Q2 to Q3 was mainly driven by the recovery in automotive-related business, but also supported by firm performance in separators and electronic materials.

Now regarding Q4, the quarter is typically a slow 1 for many products in general, and the forecast duly reflects that. Separators will be down as revised prices apply now that we are in a new calendar year. For electronic devices, we also expect Q4 to be slightly down from Q3. The impact of the fire on Q3 results was smaller than anticipated, but there will be some impact in Q4, too. Market conditions will also have an impact.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] Can you provide more detail on LIB separator shipments? You said Q3 shipments were up 50% plus from the same period previous year, which is very strong. Was there any difference between wet process and dry process separators or between applications?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda from Separators. For wet process separators, shipments increased year-on-year, thanks to added capacity for both consumer electronics and automotive applications. Regarding dry process separators, demand had slowed down significantly back in 2019 after fire incidents involving energy storage systems or ESS, but there has been a recovery since and shipments, therefore, increased.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] Did you say shipments are up across applications?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Yes.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] Now on Veloxis. I read the recent interview of Asahi Kasei Pharma's President in an industry journal. It appears that the Veloxis drug is gaining share in the kidney transplant market. How has net sales during the first 3 quarters increased year-on-year?

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] From Asahi Kasei Pharma. I am afraid I cannot provide detailed numbers, but there continues to be steady growth.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] Can you tell us about the share among new kidney transplants? Back in 2019, when you announced the acquisition, you said that the share was 20%. How much is it now?

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] The share is approximately 30% now.

[Go Miyamoto, analyst]

[Interpreted] And what plans do you have going forward? Do you intend to extend its application to other organ transplants or expand into other geographical regions?

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] We are currently in the process of evaluating potential additional indications.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Umebayashi from Daiwa Securities.

[Hidemitsu Umebayashi, analyst]

[Interpreted] My first question is about separators. Earlier, you said that dry process separator demand for ESS is recovering. Do you also see an increase in dry process separator used for automotive applications? And what about led battery separators? Are they also benefiting from the recovery in automotive-related demand? Are shipments recovering perhaps from Q3?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda from Separators. First, on the use of dry process separators in automotive applications. EVs with a target range of 400 to 500 kilometers per charge, which would be replacements for gasoline engine cars. They require lithium-ion batteries with very high energy density, typically with NMC cathodes with high nickel content. For such batteries, coated wet process separators are becoming the de facto standard, and we address this market with our wet process separators.

On the other hand, for dry process separators, there is an emerging demand for use in batteries with medium to low energy density that typically use LFP cathodes. This is in addition to the use in high-power output batteries for hybrid vehicles for such batteries, dry process separators are generally preferred.

As for led acid battery separator, sales volume in Q3 was very strong, partly due to the recovery of automotive-related markets from Q2 to Q3. And also because Q3 is usually the peak season for automotive markets due to strong replacement demand, particularly in the northern hemisphere ahead of winter.

[Hidemitsu Umebayashi, analyst]

[Interpreted] I see. So what you're saying regarding the dry process separator is that they are now different types of electric vehicles, and an increase in models with shorter cruising range is driving the shift from wet process to drive process separator. Would that be a fair summary?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Yes, I think you can say that.

[Hidemitsu Umebayashi, analyst]

[Interpreted] I see. My next question is on Homes on Q4 profit forecast. I understand orders for order built homes are expected to be sluggish, but still, given the usual seasonality, this projection seems too low. So is it that you are expecting fewer deliveries of unit homes? And also about the real estate, which was growing very strongly during the first 9 months, but appears to significantly lose that steam in Q4. Can you comment on that?

[Kensuke Sakai, executive]

[Interpreted] Sakai from Homes. One factor for lower sales and profit projection for Q4 is, as you have correctly pointed out, deliveries of condominium units in real estate. Deliveries of condominium units were concentrated in the first 9 months and are expected to drop in Q4. Given the nature of this business, the operating results of the condominiums business tends to fluctuate and are not evenly distributed. So when there are many units to be delivered, sales and profit increase and vice versa.

[Hidemitsu Umebayashi, analyst]

[Interpreted] I see. One additional question. With the price of steel going up, should we not worry about cost increase in Homes?

[Kensuke Sakai, executive]

[Interpreted] Steel price was coming down at 1 point but is now going up rapidly. So depending on how things turn out, there might be an impact.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Watanabe from Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

[渡邉 亮一, analyst]

[Interpreted] I have a question on semiconductors. I understand the extraordinary loss for this fiscal year. And what about the impact in the next fiscal year? What items are included in this year's extraordinary loss? And when do you expect the operations to be restored?

[Isao Satou, executive]

[Interpreted] This is Satou from Corporate Accounting and Control to respond to your question on extraordinary loss. Basically, we are working to charge everything this fiscal year. So there are some additional loss expected for Q4, but there shouldn't be any for the next fiscal year. That's the current assumption.

[渡邉 亮一, analyst]

[Interpreted] And what is the amount you expect to book in Q4?

[Isao Satou, executive]

[Interpreted] The extraordinary loss for 9 months on a consolidated basis totaled approximately JPY 14 billion. And the full year consolidated forecast is JPY 20 billion. You can assume the majority of the difference would be the additional loss related to the fire.

[渡邉 亮一, analyst]

[Interpreted] Could you also tell us what kind of items were not accounted for in Q3?

[Isao Satou, executive]

[Interpreted] We're still not certain whether they would actually be included in Q4 but what we anticipate in Q4 would be such items as provision for dismantling and removal, which require cost estimates from the contractors. That's 1 factor not included in Q4 -- or Q3.

[渡邉 亮一, analyst]

[Interpreted] I see. My next question is on Homes. Order forecast for the second half remains unchanged from the November forecast. For Q4, you expect a year-on-year decline. While you said orders in January were actually higher year-on-year, thanks to successful online events during that month. Do you think the recovery was just for January? Or do you think it could be sustained through February and beyond?

[Kensuke Sakai, executive]

[Interpreted] Sakai from Homes. As was mentioned earlier, online events held in January were very successful. And also, the order level in January of last year was low due to the effect of the consumption tax hike. And thus, the year-on-year increase.

We're hoping for this momentum to continue in February onward. But as was explained earlier, due to the state of the emergency declaration, the number of visitors to model houses dropped significantly in January. We're closely monitoring the trends and assessing the impact.

[渡邉 亮一, analyst]

[Interpreted] So you're saying that it's not that online events are replacing physical model houses in stimulating the traffic. But rather currently, online events prove effectively, but you still need visitors to physical venues, correct?

[Kensuke Sakai, executive]

[Interpreted] Yes, that is correct. It so happened that in January, we had lots of visitors to the online events, which served to boost orders. Should this continue, we should see a sustained recovery. But given that the rate of orders placed by visitors to model homes is relatively high in our case, we are keeping a close eye on the trends in that channel.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Okazaki from Nomura Securities.

[Shigeki Okazaki, analyst]

[Interpreted] My first question is on basic materials. Changes in operating income from Q2 to Q3 as well as from Q3 to Q4. Can you also comment on supply and demand of AN and the market price spread for Q3 and Q4, respectively?

[Takuya Takahashi, executive]

[Interpreted] Takahashi from Basic Materials. As you can see on Slide 35, operating income for Q2 and Q3 were JPY 1.8 billion and JPY 4.1 billion, respectively, and projected to be JPY 5.2 billion in Q4, representing a gradual increase. Sales volume dropped in Q2, then more or less recovered in Q3 and is surpassing the previous year's level in Q4.

Market prices of petrochemicals are rising, resulting in the improved price spread. So overall, operating conditions are gradually improving. As for AN, in Q3, demand was firm, driven primarily by ABS, while supply was becoming tighter, partly due to maintenance turnaround campaigns in the industry and because there was no inflow into the Asian markets from the U.S. and Europe, where the supply and demand was tight.

In November, we were forecasting the price spread of $300 to $400 per ton. In Q3, the spread widened gradually but stayed within the forecasted range at $378 with propylene $932 and AN $1,309. Currently, the AN price is nearing $1,700.

For Q4, there are some uncertainties with Chinese New years and others. But we are projecting AN price to be between $1,650 and $1,700 and propylene $950 for a spread of $700 to $750.

[Shigeki Okazaki, analyst]

[Interpreted] Are you expecting AN supply and demand balance to remain firm in the next fiscal year?

[Takuya Takahashi, executive]

[Interpreted] Yes. In terms of competitive landscape, there are no new plants coming online for a while until the end of this calendar year at the earliest. ABS production is not likely to decline for now. So the demand should stay firm.

In terms of supply, some plants will come back online after maintenance turnaround. But we expect the tight balance to continue through the first half of FY 2021.

[Shigeki Okazaki, analyst]

[Interpreted] I see. My next question is on Specialty Solutions. Changes in operating income from Q2 to Q3. Did I hear you correctly that contribution of profit increase of separator was not that large? Can you also comment on the competitive landscape of separator? Has it changed from 3 months ago, especially in relation to electric vehicles?

[Hiroaki Sugiyama, executive]

[Interpreted] Sugiyama from specialty Solutions. Both sales and profit increased from Q2 to Q3 and increased profit of separator was 1 big factor. Major factor was, as mentioned earlier, a recovery in automotive-related product offerings, which include led acid battery separator. LIB separator also grew.

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda for Separator. From Q2 to Q3, our dry process LIB separator felt some impact of ESS customers shifting to new models using separators supplied by our competitors. But process separator grew in volume for both consumer electronics and automotive applications. Led acid battery separator also grew in volume, driven by seasonal replacement demand. Overall, separator recorded higher sales and profit. There were no major changes in the competitive landscape from Q2 to Q3.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Sano from JPMorgan Securities Japan.

[Tomotaro Sano, analyst]

[Interpreted] I have a question on Specialty Solutions, the impact of the fire. What was the impact on operating income in Q3? And what about projection for Q4?

[Izumi Kawata, executive]

[Interpreted] Kawata from Asahi Kasei Microdevices. Impact on operating income during Q3 was minor, partly because we were able to sell inventory of work in progress goods and finished goods at the plant to satisfy the demand that was recovering at the time. That helped us keep the impact to a minimal level in Q3. Whereas for Q4, with the depletion of the inventory, we are going to feel the direct impact of the suspended production. I hope that answers your question.

[Tomotaro Sano, analyst]

[Interpreted] Yes. Another question on separator. I'm curious about a joint venture to be set up between your subsidiary, Polypore International and SemCorp Group. Since Asahi Kasei also has a dry process separator business. I'm wondering whether or not there is a risk of cannibalization with cost competitive dry process separator to be supplied by this joint venture, at least for a short term? Or is it that since you have 49% equity, profit made there would benefit you anyway, so it makes no difference? Or could it be that there is no risk of cannibalization because the quality level is different between those made by Asahi Kasei and those to come out of the joint venture?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda for Separator. The intent of setting up the joint venture is to quickly enter the Chinese ESS market, which is projected to grow rapidly over the next 2 to 3 years to further expand the business. This is a very cost-competitive business, and the joint venture is targeting dry process separator for medium to low-density batteries.

[Tomotaro Sano, analyst]

[Interpreted] A follow-up question. It may start with the Chinese ESS market. But I assume that the joint venture partner is aspiring to ultimately become a top global dry process separator manufacturer. So do you believe that this joint venture could be limited to strictly supply only to the Chinese ESS market?

[Akira Fukuda, executive]

[Interpreted] Fukuda for Separator. The joint venture will be established after all relevant filings are made and accepted for the approval by the authority. And all this work has yet to be completed. So we hope we'll have another opportunity to share the details with you once the joint venture is set up.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Watabe from Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities.

[Takato Watabe, analyst]

[Interpreted] Allow me to ask another question. Operating income for the Health Care business category improved rather significantly in Q3. I see that Veloxis sales of Envarsus XR grew only slightly from Q2 to Q3. So can you elaborate on quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year changes of Q3 operating income?

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Hamamoto from Investor Relations. Health care overall posted higher sales and profit from Q2 to Q3. Both pharmaceuticals and medical devices recorded increased sales and profit. In medical devices, increased sales and profit were mainly attributable to increased sales volume of Planova virus removal filters, partly owing to the impact of COVID-19.

Another factor was a reduction in SG&A expenses. Year-on-year increase was also basically attributable to a growth in sales volume of Planova and reduced SG&A expenses. Added with an improvement in fixed cost per unit of Planova, owing to improved capacity utilization rate following a production increase. Overall, medical devices posted a steady increase in sales and profit.

[Unknown Executive]

[Interpreted] [ Kaba ] from Asahi Kasei Pharma. From Q2 to Q3, profit for pharmaceuticals increased, owing to higher sales as well as fixed cost reduction. Year-on-year, profit increased owing to higher sales, particularly driven by a big increase in sales of teribone osteoporosis drug. Kevzara, agent for rheumatoid arthritis also grew in sales, reduction in fixed cost due to COVID-19 also contributed to higher profit in pharmaceuticals.

[Futoshi Hamamoto, executive]

[Interpreted] Our time is up, so we will end Asahi Kasei's earnings call here. Thank you for your participation. .

[Statements in English on this transcript were spoken by an interpreter present on the live call.]