Showa Denko ("SDK"; TSE:4004) announces that, effective October 2, 2017, it completed acquisition of all shares in SGL GE Holding GmbH (SGL GE), a graphite electrode production company, and made it a wholly owned subsidiary of SDK. The acquired company's name was changed to 'SHOWA DENKO CARBON Holding GmbH' as of the same date.

Through acquisition of full ownership of former SGL GE, SDK now has graphite electrode production bases in Europe and Southeast Asia, in addition to its existing bases in Japan, the United States, and China, and becomes the leading supplier in the global graphite electrode industry. SDK will strive to generate synergy as early as possible, pursue more cost competitiveness, enhance business durability, and achieve further growth in a highly competitive market.