Established as Shin‑Etsu Nitrogen Fertilizer Co., Ltd.
In September 1926 (Taisho 15), Shin-Etsu Nitrogen Fertilizer Co., Ltd. was established. Production of chemical fertilizers and lime nitrogen began, harnessing the bounty of nature.
Nakaezu Plant
Completed.
Started production of carbide and slag nitrogen at the Nakaezu Plant.
Completed Nakaeji factory.
Started production of carbide and lime nitrogen at Nakaeji factory.
Isoe Metal Testing Laboratory (
Current Gunma Business Office
Set up )
Established Isobe Metal Testing Laboratory (now Gunma branch).
In 1940, the company name was changed to Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
Renamed the company to Shin‑Etsu Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
Renamed company to Shin-Etsu Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
In 1945, the Takefu plant was established.
Takefu Plant
Set up.
Established Takehira factory.
In 1949, the company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Listed shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 1953, industrial production of silicone began, and the Deming Prize was awarded.
Started industrial production of silicone.
Received the Deming Prize.
Started industrial production of silicone.
Established "Nisshin Chemical Industries Co., Ltd."
Established Nichin Shin Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
Started production of vinyl chloride resin.
Started production of soda ash and chlorine.
Start of chloromethane production
In 1960, Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. was established.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
Establishment of Siles Co. in Portugal
Start of high-purity silicon production
Development of silicone RTV rubber
Established Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
Established Sirese Co., Ltd. in Portugal.
Started production of high-purity silicon.
Developed silicone RTV rubber.
In 1962, Shin-Etsu Cooperative Construction Co., Ltd. was established.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Cooperative Construction Co., Ltd. (now Shin-Etsu Astec Co., Ltd.)
Start of cellulose derivative production
Established Shin-Etsu Cooperative Construction Co., Ltd. (now Shin-Etsu Astec Co., Ltd.).
In 1963, a mortar coating called Metroz was developed.
Development of mortar-use Metrolos
Developed Metrolos for plastering.
In 1964, Nagano Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. was established.
Establishment of Nagano Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
Established Nagano Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
In 1965, a stomach-soluble coating agent (TC-5) was developed.
In 1965, a gastric‑soluble coating agent (TC‑5) was developed.
Development of gastric-soluble coating agent (TC-5)
Developed gastric soluble coating agent (TC-5).
In 1966, a silane coupling agent was developed.
Development of silane coupling agent
In 1967, Shin-Etsu Metal Industry Co., Ltd. was established.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
Start of high-purity rare earths production, including yttrium
Established Shin-Etsu Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
Commenced production of high-purity rare earths such as yttrium.
In 1968, Kashima PVC Monomer Co., Ltd. and Kashima Electrolysis Co., Ltd. were established, and Shin-Etsu Acetate Vinyl Co., Ltd. was also established.
In 1968, 'Kashima PVC Monomer Co., Ltd.' and 'Kashima Electrolysis Co., Ltd.' were established.
Establishment of Koshima PVC Monomer Co., Ltd. and Koshima Electrolysis Co., Ltd.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Vinyl Acetate Co., Ltd.
Established Shima PVC Monomer Co., Ltd.
Established Shima Electrolysis Co., Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Vinyl Acetate Co., Ltd.
In 1969, Naokaze Electronics Industry Co., Ltd. was established.
Establishment of Nakaezu Electronics Industry Co., Ltd.
Established Nakaezu Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
In 1970, the Kashima plant was completed.
Koshima Plant
Completion
Shima factory completed.
In 1971, the headquarters moved to the Asahi Tokai Building in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Relocation of headquarters to Asahi Tokai Building (at the time) in Ōmachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Moved headquarters to Asahi Tokai Building, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (at the time).
In 1972, Shinetsu Quartz Co., Ltd. was established, developing rare earth magnets.
In 1972, 'Shin‑Etsu Quartz Co., Ltd.' was established, and the development of rare earth magnets and production of HPMC began.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Quartz Co., Ltd.
Developed a rare earth magnet
Started manufacturing HPMC
Established Shin-Etsu Quartz Co., Ltd.
Commenced production of HMPCP.
In 1973, SynTech Inc. was established (USA), and Shinetsu Semiconductor SEH Malaysia Co., Ltd. was founded.
In 1973, 'Synthetik Inc.' was established in the United States, and the Malaysian branch of Shin‑Etsu Semiconductor was established. Epoxy molding compounds were developed.
Established Syntec Corporation (Japan)
Established Shin-Etsu Semiconductor SEH Malaysia Co., Ltd.
Developed epoxy molding compound
Established Syntek Corporation (USA).
Established Shin-Etsu Semiconductor S.E.H. Malaysia Co., Ltd.
In 1974, the SynTech Freeport plant began operations.
Syntec freeport plant began operations
Syntek Freeport plant commenced operations.
In 1976, Shinetsu Engineering Co., Ltd. was established, setting up the PVC Technology Institute and the Silicone Electrical Materials Technology Institute.
In 1976, 'Shin‑Etsu Engineering Co., Ltd.' was established, and the PVC Technology Institute and Silicon Electrical Materials Technology Institute were set up.
Established Shin-Etsu Engineering Co., Ltd.
PVC Technology Research Institute
(now PVC and high polymer materials research institute), Silicone Electronic Materials Technology Research Institute
Established
Commercialized synthetic fragrance Alpha-Phon
Established Shin-Etsu Engineering Co., Ltd.
PVC Technology Research Institute (now PVC & Polymer Materials Research Institute).
Established Silicone Electronic Materials Technology Research Institute.
Commercialized synthetic fragrance Alphairon.
In 1977, the Synthetic Technology Institute and the Magnetic Materials Institute were established.
In 1977, the Synthetic Technology Institute and Magnetic Materials Institute were established. Synthetic fragrance Aoba Alcohol was developed, and L‑HPC was commercialized.
Synthetic Technology Research Institute
Magnetic Materials Research Institute
Established
Developed synthetic fragrance Blue Leaf Alcohol
Commercialized L-HPC
Established Magnetic Materials Research Institute.
Developed synthetic fragrance Aoba Alcohol.
Commercialized L-HPC.
In 1979, Shinetsu Semiconductor's U.S. subsidiary, Shinetsu Handoutai America Inc., was established.
In 1979, the U.S. branch of Shin‑Etsu Semiconductor was established, and the manufacturing of synthetic quartz substrates for IC masks began.
Established Shin-Etsu Semiconductor Shin-Etsu Handou Tai America Co., Ltd.
Started manufacturing synthetic stone IC mask substrates
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor establishes Shin-Etsu Handou Tai America.
Commencement of manufacturing synthetic quartz substrates for IC masks.
In 1980, synthetic pheromones were developed.
Developed synthetic pheromone
In 1981, silicon nitride was developed.
Developed silicon nitride
In 1982, production of dichlorosilane began.
Commenced production of dichlorosilane
In 1984, the Shinetsu Semiconductor Shirakawa plant was completed.
In 1984, Shinetsu Semiconductor's European subsidiary, Shinetsu Handoutai Europe Ltd. (U.K.), was established.
In 1984, lithium tantalate (LT) was developed.
In 1984, the Shirakawa plant of Shin‑Etsu Semiconductor was completed.
In the same year, the European branch (UK) of Shin‑Etsu Semiconductor was established.
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor completes Aikawa plant
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor establishes Shin-Etsu Handoutai Europe Ltd. (UK)
Developed lithium tantalate (LT)
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor completes the Shirakawa plant.
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor establishes Shin-Etsu Handou Tai Europe (UK) Ltd.
Development of lithium tantalate (LT).
In 1985, K-Bin Inc. and Shinetsu Silicones of America Inc. were established.
In 1985, 'K‑Bin Inc.' and 'Shin‑Etsu Silicones of America Inc.' were established.
Established K-Bin Co.
Established Shin-Etsu Silicones of America
Developed molded products of high-purity boron nitride (PBN)
Establishment of K-Bin Co., Ltd.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Silicones of America.
Development of molded products of ultra-high purity boron nitride (PBN).
In 1986, Shinetsu Silicone Korea Co., Ltd. was established.
In 1986, Shin‑Etsu Silicon Co. was established in South Korea.
Established Shin-Etsu Silicon Korea
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Silicone Korea.
In 1987, Sōshin Silicone Co., Ltd. (now Taiwan Shinetsu Silicone Co., Ltd.) was established.
Established Sōshin Silicon Co., Ltd. in Taiwan in 1987.
Established Sungshin Silicon Co. (now Taiwan Shin-Etsu Silicon Co.)
Establishment of Sōshin Silicone Co., Ltd. (now Taiwan Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd.).
In 1988, the Precision Functional Materials Institute was established.
In 1988, Shinetsu Malaysia Co., Ltd. was established.
Established the Sentech Malaysia branch in the same year.
Precision Functional Materials Research Institute
Established
Established Shin-Etsu Malaysia
Establishment of the Institute of Precision Functional Materials.
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Malaysia.
In 1989, Microcy Inc. (USA) and Shinetsu Silicones Europe Ltd. were established.
Established Microcy Co., Ltd. in the United States and Sentech Silicones Europe Co., Ltd. in Europe in 1989.
Established Microcy Co. (USA)
Established Shin-Etsu Silicones Europe (Netherlands)
Establishment of Micro Sai Co., Ltd. (USA).
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Silicones Europe (Netherlands).
In 1990, Shinetsu International Europe Ltd. and Shinetsu Singapore Ltd. were established.
Established Shin-Etsu International Europe (Netherlands)
Established Shin-Etsu Singapore
Establishment of Shin-Etsu International Europe (Netherlands).
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Singapore.
In 1992, the Matsui-dera plant was established, along with the Isobe plant and Gunma office.
Established the Gunma office overseeing the Matsukita and Isobe factories in 1992.
Established Matsui Ta factory and a group office overseeing the Matsui Ta and Isoe factories
Establishment of Matsukita plant and the Gunma office overseeing the Matsukita and Isobe plants.
In 1993, Shinetsu Magnetics Co., Ltd. (USA) and Shinetsu Semiconductor's S.E.H. Sharlem Co., Ltd. (Australia) were established.
Established Sentech Magnetics Inc. in the United States and Ma's Sharum Co., Ltd. in 1993. Commenced full‑scale production of preforms for optical fibers.
Established Shin-Etsu Magnetics Co. (USA)
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor establishes S.E.H. Sherlam Co. (Germany)
Commenced full-scale production of preforms for optical fibers
Establishment of Shin-Etsu Magnetics Co., Ltd. (USA).
Shin-Etsu Semiconductor establishes S.E.H. Sharam Co., Ltd. (Malaysia).
Commencement of full-scale manufacturing of preforms for optical fibers.
In 1994, full-scale production of preforms for optical fibers began.
Developed dust‑proof covers for photomasks and pericules in 1994.
Developed photo mask dust cover and pellicle.
Developed a dust cover for photo masks, Periklu.
In 1995, Shinetsu Koken Co., Ltd. was established, along with Shinetsu Electronics Malaysia Co., Ltd., Shinetsu Electronics Materials Singapore Co., Ltd., and Shinetsu Semiconductor's Shinetsu Handou Tai Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Established Shinetsu Kōden Co., Ltd. and various Asian branches in 1995.
Established Shin-Etsu Photonics Co., Ltd. (Taiwan).
Established Shin-Etsu Electronics Malaysia Co., Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Electronics Materials Singapore Co., Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Handou Tai Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Semiconductor's "Shin-Etsu Optoelectronics Co., Ltd." (Taiwan).
Established Shin-Etsu Electronics Malaysia Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Electronics Materials Singapore Ltd.
Established Shin-Etsu Semiconductor's "Shin-Etsu Handou Tai Taiwan Co., Ltd."
In 1996, the company acquired Simcore Operations Co., Ltd. of Australia.
In 1998, the photolithographic resist business was commercialized.
Commenced commercialization of photoresist in 1998.
In 1999, the company acquired the PVC business in the Netherlands and established Shinetsu PVC Co., Ltd., developing liquid fluorine elastomer.
In 2000, the first phase of the Syntec Addis plant was completed, and the company entered the optical communication component business.
In 2001, the New Functional Materials Technology Research Institute was established, the preform plant for optical fibers at the Kashima plant was completed, and the second phase of the Syntec Addis plant was finished.
Established the New Functional Materials Technology Research Institute in 2001, completed a preform factory for optical fibers at the Kashima plant, and finished the second phase of construction at the Sentech Addis plant.
In 2002, Japan PVC Powel Co., Ltd. was established, and the PVC Technology Research Institute was renamed to the PVC and Polymer Materials Research Institute.
Established Nihon Suvi & Povar in 2002, renamed the PVC Technology Research Institute to the PVC & Polymer Materials Research Institute, and established Zhejiang Shinetsu Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
Established Nippon Acetate & Powel Co., Ltd.
Renamed the PVC Technology Research Institute to the PVC & Polymer Materials Research Institute.
Established Zhejiang Shin-etsu Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
In 2003, Shinetsu Organic Silicon International Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. was established, the German cellulose business was acquired, and SE Tairos Co., Ltd. was established.
Established Shinetsu Organic Silicon International Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in 2003, acquired the German cellulose business, and established SE Tairos Co., Ltd.
Established Shin-etsu Organic Silicon International Trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Acquired a German cellulose business and established SE Tairos Co., Ltd. (Germany).
Acquired a German cellulose business and established SE Tylor (Germany).
In 2005, Japan PVC Powel Co., Ltd. was fully acquired as a subsidiary, and the CSR Promotion Committee (now the Sustainability Committee) was established.
Fully acquired Nihon Suvi & Povar in 2005 and established a CSR Promotion Committee.
Made Nippon Acetate & Powel Co., Ltd. a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Established the CSR Promotion Committee (now Sustainability Committee).
Developed new high-performance technology for neodymium-based rare-earth magnets.
In 2006, the takeover bid (TOB) for Sanmei Semiconductor Industry was completed.
Completed a public takeover bid (TOB) of Sanmei Semiconductor Industry in 2006 and signed the Responsible Care Global Charter.
Completed a public takeover bid (TOB) for San-ik Semiconductor Industry Co., Ltd.
Signed the Responsible Care World Charter of the International Chemical Industry Association Council.
In 2007, the company jointly developed cutting-edge photomask blanks with Toppan Printing.
Co-developed cutting-edge photomask blanks with Toppan Printing.
In 2008, the first phase of the Syntec Plakemine Plant 1 was completed.
Completed the first phase of construction of the first Sentech Plakemine plant in 2008.
Completed Phase 1 construction of the Synthetix Plakemine Plant 1.
In 2009, high-brightness LED reflector materials and wavelength conversion films were developed.
Developed high-brightness LED reflector materials and wavelength conversion films.
In 2010, the company joined the UN Global Compact and completed Syntec Plakemine Plant 2.
Joined the UN Global Compact in 2010 and completed the second Sentech Plakemine plant.
Joined the UN Global Compact / Joined the Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ).
Completed Phase 2 construction of the Synthetix Plakemine Plant 1.
In 2011, Syntec Plakemine Plant 2 was completed, and Shinetsu Magnetics Materials Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Shinetsu Electronics Materials Vietnam Co., Ltd. were established.
Completed the second Sentech Plakemine plant in 2011 and established Sentech Magnetics Materials and Sentech Electronics Materials in Vietnam.
Completed the Synthetix Plakemine Plant 2.
Shintetsu Maku Tech Matsuialus Betanum Co., Ltd. and Shintetsu Electronics Matsuialus Betanum Co., Ltd. established.
In 2013, a sodium hypochlorite manufacturing facility was newly installed at the Nakaezu plant, and Asia Silicon Monomers Co., Ltd. was fully acquired as a subsidiary.
Installed new sodium hypochlorite production equipment at the Niijōzetsu plant in 2013 and fully acquired Asian Silicones Monomer.
New sodium hypochlorite manufacturing facility established at Nakaezu plant.
Asia Silicons Monomer Co., Ltd. fully acquired as a subsidiary.
Developed high-refractive-index encapsulant and substrate for high-brightness LEDs.
In 2014, Syntec Co., Ltd. received the President's 'E' Award for export contribution in the United States.
Shintect Co. received the 'President's "E" Award' for export contribution in the United States.
Syntec Corporation received the President's "E" Award for export contribution in the United States.
In 2016, the new research building of the Silicon Electronic Materials Technology Institute was completed, and a photomask blanks factory was completed within the Ikenojo branch factory in Echizen City.
Completed the new research building of the Silicone Electronic Materials Technology Research Institute in 2016, completed a photomask blanks factory within the Ikenojo branch plant in Echizen City, and commenced operation of a new hydroxyethyl cellulose plant in the United States.
New research building of the Silicone Electronic Materials Technology Institute completed.
Factory for photomask blanks completed within the Ikenojo branch plant in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture.
New HEC (hydroxyethyl cellulose) plant commenced operations in the United States.
In 2018, the establishment of a new integrated plant at Synthetik Plakemine was announced.
Announced new integrated plant at Shintect Plakemine.
In 2019, support for the TCFD recommendations was expressed, and the Shin-Etsu Chemical Group human rights policy was formulated.
Supported the TCFD recommendations and formulated the Shinetsu Chemical Group Human Rights Policy in 2019.
Stated support for TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) recommendations.
Shin-Etsu Chemical Group formulated a human rights policy.
Launched 5G-related products (quartz cross, thermosetting low-dielectric resin, heat dissipation sheet) into the market.
In 2020, the Synthetik Ethylene plant commenced operations, and the development of GaN substrates and related products was intensified.
Commenced operation of the Sentech Ethylene plant in 2020 and intensified development of GaN substrates and related products.
Shintect Ethylene plant commenced operations.
Accelerated development of GaN (gallium nitride) substrates and related products.
Launched materials for microLED display manufacturing.
Developed revolutionary molding silicone rubber that does not require secondary vulcanization.
In 2021, the executive officer system was introduced, and the headquarters was relocated to the Eiraku Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Implemented executive officer system.
Announced equipment investment in the Gunma facility's silicone business to contribute to carbon neutrality.
Proposed an integrated process for microLED displays.
Moved headquarters to the Eiraku Building in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
Completion of expansion of the integrated plant at Syntec Plakemine.
In 2022, revenue reached the 2 trillion yen range for the first time.
In 2022, revenue first reached the 2 trillion yen range, and announced an expansion of the high-performance silicone product line.
Announced capacity expansion focused on high-performance silicone product line.
Revenue reached the 2 trillion yen mark for the first time.
In 2023, ordinary profit reached the 1 trillion yen range for the first time, and a net‑zero emissions plan toward carbon neutrality by 2050 was formulated.
In 2023, operating profit entered the 1 trillion yen range for the first time, and formulated a carbon-neutral plan for 2050.
Operating profit reached the 1 trillion yen mark for the first time.
Developed a plan to achieve net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2050.
Established the Chihiro Kanagawa Future Science Foundation.
Invested 100 billion yen in enhancing high‑performance silicone products and expanding environmentally friendly products.
In partnership with Okite Electric Industry Co., Ltd., further promote the QST™ substrate business toward true societal implementation of GaN power devices.
Established the Silicone Green Business Promotion Office.
Developed a plan to achieve net‑zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2050 toward carbon neutrality.
Invested 100 billion yen to enhance high‑performance silicone products and expand environmentally friendly products.
In 2024, 'Sicle™' won the Nikkei Excellent Products & Services Award, and the construction of a new semiconductor lithography material plant in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, was announced.
In 2024, the transparent, water-resistant coating material "Sicle™" won the best award, and announced construction of a new semiconductor lithography material plant in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
Transparent, waterproof coating material 'Sicle™' won the 'Nikkei Excellent Product & Service Award' top prize from the Nikkei Newspaper.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by participating in the locally produced, locally consumed PPA (Gunma model).
Announced construction of a factory in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, becoming the fourth production base for semiconductor lithography materials.
Launched market development with the new adhesive technology 'ShineGrip™'.
Made San'eki Semiconductor Industry Co., Ltd. a wholly‑owned subsidiary.
Developed post‑processing semiconductor package substrate manufacturing equipment and new manufacturing methods.
Developed QST™ substrates toward 300 mm GaN.
Released the website 'Thermalvision™' to support solving thermal issues in electronic device design.
In 2025, three Thai group companies announced the introduction of renewable energy, and also invested in the pharmaceutical cellulose business.
In 2025, three Thai group companies announced the introduction of renewable energy and advanced investment in the pharmaceutical cellulose business.
Announced the introduction of renewable energy by three Thai group companies.
Announced active investment in the pharmaceutical cellulose business in Japan and Germany.
Developed a production system for lipid nanoparticles capable of handling small‑batch, multi‑product to mass production in collaboration with Hokkaido University.
We will give away the 2027 Shin-Etsu Chemical Group original calendar by lottery. The application deadline is November 15, 2026, and the winners will be announced with the calendar shipment in late December. The calendar theme is "Light," featuring light phenomena from around the world.
Shin-Etsu Chemical Industries has developed the industry's first silicone adhesive sheet for flood prevention, 'PitaRain Jar®', which can be easily applied without specialized tools. The silicone's rubber elasticity and adhesive strength provide excellent flood prevention performance, can be reused repeatedly, and does not corrode or degrade metal or concrete. The primary application is to attach it to gaps under doors or shutters and between water-retaining boards, which is considered more effective than using a soil bag or water-retaining board alone.
Shin-Etsu Chemical marked its 100th anniversary in September 2026. To commemorate the occasion, it published "Shin-Etsu Chemical: A Century of History" on its website.