Detergents and household goods maker Lion Corp. said Thursday it will shut down the Osaka plant of its joint venture with Dutch chemical manufacturer Akzo Nobel sometime around September.
Lion said it will transfer 33 workers at the Osaka plant to another plant in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, or divisions within the Lion group.
It said it will also add production facilities at the Yokkaichi plant to meet growing demand for material used in softeners, and take steps to boost its cost competitiveness.