Ruìwēng Chemical (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.

In 1950, Japan Zeon was founded as a company manufacturing vinyl chloride. The technology for producing vinyl chloride resin was introduced from B.F. Goodrich Chemical of the United States, which led the world at that time. In 1959, under the technical guidance of the same company, Japan Zeon became the first in Japan to manufacture synthetic rubber.

Founded in 1950.

Founded in 1950, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025.

Japan Zeon was founded in 1950, starting as a vinyl chloride manufacturing company.

Zeon was founded in 1950.

Headquarters were established within Japan Light Metal Co., Ltd. at 3-7-7 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

Shortly after the end of the war, in 1950, Japan Zeon began its operations as a company manufacturing vinyl chloride.

Established Japan ZEOON Co., Ltd. with a capital of 5 million yen for the manufacture and sale of synthetic resins. Headquarters located at 7-3-7 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, within the premises of Japan Light Metal Co., Ltd.

Established Japan Zeon Co., Ltd. with a capital of 5 million yen for the purpose of manufacturing and selling synthetic resin. Headquarters were set up within Japan Light Metal Co., Ltd. at 7‑3 Ginza‑Nishi, Chuo‑ku, Tokyo.

Established Japan Zeon Co., Ltd. with a capital of 5 million yen for the purpose of manufacturing and selling synthetic resins.

Technical partnership with BF Goodrich Chemicals Co. for vinyl chloride resin production.

Completed the Kamihara plant in Shizuoka Prefecture and began production of vinyl chloride resin.

Established a research institute.

Completed the Takaoka plant in Toyama Prefecture and began production of vinyl chloride resin.

In 1959, Japan Zeon became the first private company in Japan to manufacture synthetic rubber, following the technical guidance of B.F. Goodrich Chemical of the United States. At that time, only one semi-government, semi-private company was producing synthetic rubber under the Synthetic Rubber Production Special Measures Law.

1959: Production of Japan's first synthetic rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), began.

1959: Began production of Japan's first synthetic rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR).

Completed the Kawasaki plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, the first synthetic rubber production in Japan. Established the Central Research Institute.

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Relocated headquarters to Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku.

Completed the Tokuyama plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture and began production of butadiene and SBR using the GPB method (butadiene extraction technology developed in-house).

Completion of the Tokuyama plant (Yamaguchi Prefecture) and commencement of production of butadiene and SBR under the GPB Act.

The Tokuyama plant (Yamaguchi Prefecture) was completed, and production of butadiene and SBR began using the GPB method (butadiene extraction technology based on proprietary technology).

Started production of BR at the Tokuyama plant.

Closed the Kamihara plant.

Completed the Mizushima plant in Okayama Prefecture and began production of vinyl chloride resin.

BF Goodrich Chemicals Co. transferred all of its shares to the Japanese side.

In 1971, the GPI plant was completed and production of isoprene rubber (IR) began.

1971: GPI plant completed, production of isoprene rubber (IR) began.

1971: GPI plant completed, started production of isoprene rubber (IR).

The English company name was changed from Geon to Zeon.

The GPI (isoprene extraction technology using proprietary technology) facility was completed at the Mizushima plant, and IR production began.

Nippon Zeon of America was established.

Production of C5 petroleum resin began at the Mizushima plant.

Production of NBR began at the Tokuyama plant.

Production of synthetic fragrance began at the Mizushima plant.

The processing products division was separated and became independent as Zeon Chemical Co., Ltd.

Entered the electronic materials business.

Production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber "Zetpol®" began at the Takaoka plant.

Received the Deming Award for company-wide quality management.

Production of thermoplastic elastomer SIS began at the Mizushima plant.

Production of heavy-duty toner began at the Kawasaki plant.

Production of solution polymerized SBR began at the Tokuyama plant.

Zeon Chemicals Texas Inc. was established in the United States, producing hydrogenated nitrile rubber locally.

In 1989, Japan Zeon acquired the specialty rubber business from Goodrich Chemical of the United States and established itself as a world-leading manufacturer under the name "Zeon Specialty Rubber."

1989: Acquired the special rubber business from Goodrich Chemical Co., USA.

1989: Acquired the specialty rubber business from BF Goodrich Chemicals Inc., establishing a global leading position as "Specialty Rubber ZEOON."

1989: Acquired a specialty rubber business from overseas manufacturers. Acquired the specialty rubber business from Goodrich Chemical Co. in the U.S., establishing Zeon as a world‑leading specialty rubber manufacturer.

1989: Acquired a specialty rubber business from overseas manufacturers.

Acquired the NBR business of BP Chemicals Ltd. in the U.K.

Entered the RIM business.

Zeon Chemicals Europe Limited was established in the United Kingdom.

Established Zeon Chemicals Europe Limited in the United Kingdom.

Acquired BF Goodrich Chemicals Co.'s specialty rubber business.

Zeon Europe GmbH was established in Germany.

Obtained the first worldwide approval for the manufacturing of a supplemental artificial heart.

Medical equipment integrated factory completed at Takaoka factory.

Cycloolefin polymer "ZEONEX®" plant completed at Mizushima factory.

Environmental materials business fully launched.

Takaoka and Tokuyama factories obtained ISO9002 certification; in 1995, Kawasaki and Mizushima factories also obtained it.

Merger processing purification tank production facility completed at Mizushima factory.

Takaoka and Tokuyama plants obtained ISO9002 certification; Kawasaki and Mizushima plants also obtained it.

PVC business transferred to Shin Daiichi PVC Co., Ltd.

Established the Yonezawa factory of precision chemicals (now Zeon Chemicals Yonezawa Co., Ltd.) in Yonezawa City.

Established Zeon Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. In April 1998, started C5 petroleum resin production.

Established Zeon Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand.

Established Zeon Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.

Petroleum resin production facility of Zeon Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. completed.

Launched COP "ZEONOR®".

Takaoka factory obtained ISO14001 certification; in 1999, Tokuyama, Mizushima, and Kawasaki factories obtained it.

Takaoka plant obtained ISO14001 certification; Tokuyama, Mizushima, and Kawasaki plants also obtained it in 1999.

Production facility for "ZEORORA®" completed at Takaoka factory.

Acquired NBR business from DSM Polymer Co., USA.

Acquired special rubber business from Goodyear Co., USA.

In 2000, the company withdrew from the vinyl chloride business and entered the processing field of optical film. This marked a major shift from general-purpose to specialty and high-value-added products, moving away from being a raw material manufacturer.

2000: Withdrawal from the PVC business founded earlier, and expansion into the processing field (optical film).

2000: Exited the PVC business, entered the processing sector with optical film.

2000: Exited the vinyl chloride business and entered the processing field (optical film). Shifted from general products to specialty and high‑value products, marking a major turning point.

Stopped PVC resin production at Mizushima factory and withdrew from PVC business.

Changed corporate emblem and English corporate name to "Zeon Corporation" on the occasion of the 50th anniversary.

Made Tokyo Materials Co., Ltd. a core trading company and incorporated it into the group.

Completed Optes Takaoka manufacturing plant.

Launched LCD plastic film "ZeonorFilm®".

Completed the optical film factory, Optes Takaoka Manufacturing Plant, Ltd.

Awarded the GSC Minister of Environment Award for ZEORORA® development.

Applied for delisting from the Nagoya Stock Exchange (delisted in April 2003).

Established a new company for manufacturing and selling logistics materials.

Founded RIMTEC Co., Ltd.

Commenced construction of the heavy-duty color toner plant.

Completed the factory for COP diffusion plates for LCDs.

Started construction of a heavy-duty color toner plant. Completed the COP-made LCD diffuser plate factory.

Established RIMTEC Co., Ltd.

Completed the new CMB factory in Guangzhou, China.

Developed a new low‑k interlayer dielectric film.

Increased COP production capacity to 15,000 tons.

Completed the Precision Optical Research Institute and the fifth building of ZeonorFilm® in Takaoka.

Relocated headquarters to the current address.

Expanded ZeonorFilm® production capacity.

Established new manufacturing equipment for the ether solvent CPME and launched it.

Expanded ZeonorFilm® production capacity. Established new equipment for ether-based solvent (CPME) production and launched it.

Completed the machine‑tooling building of the Precision Optical Research Institute.

Completed the chemical research building in Yonezawa City.

Completed Building 10 of the Research and Development Center.

Received the IEEE CPMT Young Award for developing cycloolefin polymer insulating film.

Expanded capacity of synthetic fragrance and leaf alcohol manufacturing equipment.

Completed Research & Development Center Building 10. Received IEEE CPMT Young Award for developing cycloolefin polymer insulating film. Expanded capacity of synthetic fragrance and leaf alcohol production equipment.

Received the IEEE CPMT Young Award for developing cycloolefin polymer insulating film.

Received the 2006 Organic Synthesis Society Award for developing and industrializing CPME.

Received the Organic Synthesis Chemistry Society Award for the development and industrialization of CPME.

Won the 2nd Japan Manufacturing Award for optical film.

Completion of a new optical film factory in Higashiomi City, Toyama Prefecture.

Completion of an integrated production center at the Mizushima plant.

Application for delisting from the Osaka Stock Exchange (delisted in March 2010).

Received the Bronze Award at the CPME CPhI Innovation Awards 2010.

Expansion of ZeonorFilm® production capacity.

Establishment of Zeon Chemicals Singapore Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.

Received the Profiles in Sustainability Award (Product Category) at InformexUSA 2011 in CPME.

Establishment of Zeon Korea Co., Ltd. in South Korea.

Established Zeon Korea Co., Ltd. in Korea. Won the Profiles in Sustainability Award (Product Category) with CPMI.

Received the Profiles in Sustainability Award (Product Category) at InformexUSA 2011 for CPME.

Established Ruien (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd. in China.

New equipment for "tilted extension phase difference film" completed in Himi City, Toyama Prefecture.

Established Zeon Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Vietnam.

Completion of the new hydrogenated NBR (Zetpol®) plant at Kawasaki Factory.

In 2013, production of solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) began in Singapore. As a high-performance tire rubber, we promoted high added value by incorporating various molecules.

2013: Production of solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) began in Singapore.

2013: Started production of solution polymerization styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) in Singapore.

Toupé Co., Ltd. was made a subsidiary through a public takeover offer.

Zeon Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. expanded its new petrochemical resin plant to an annual capacity of 40,000 tons.

Expanded Zeon Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.'s petroleum resin new plant to an annual capacity of 40,000 tons.

A new oblique extension phase‑contrast film plant was completed in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture.

Zeon Chemicals Singapore Pte. Ltd. completed its facility and began production of S‑SBR.

In 2015, a mass production plant for the dream new material, single-layer carbon nanotubes with the characteristics of being "light and strong" and "good electrical and thermal conductivity," was completed, accelerating development.

In 2015, a facility responsible for manufacturing powder slash materials, which are being adopted as surface materials for automotive interior components, was established.

2015: Mass production plant for carbon nanotubes completed.

Established in 2015, it is responsible for manufacturing powder slash materials, which are being adopted as surface materials for automotive interior components.

2015: Completed a mass production plant for carbon nanotubes.

Founded in 2015, it manufactures powder slash materials used as surface materials for automotive interiors. Powder slash materials are also produced in Japan and China.

The LCD plastic film facility in Higashiimichi City, Toyama Prefecture was expanded.

Zeon India Private Limited was established in India.

A carbon nanotube manufacturing plant was completed at the Tokuyama Factory.

In 2017, a facility responsible for selling high-performance materials was established in Silicon Valley, USA.

Established in 2017 in Silicon Valley, USA.

Founded in 2017 in Silicon Valley, USA. Zeon Kasei Mexico S.A. de C.V.

ZS Elastomer Co., Ltd. began operations following the integration of the solution‑polymerized SBR business with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

With the integration of the solution polymerization SBR business with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., ZS Elastomer Co., Ltd. began operations.

An Asia Technical Support Laboratory was opened in Singapore.

Zeon Specialty Materials Inc., a local sales company for high‑performance materials, was established and began operations in California, USA.

In 2018, a manufacturing and sales facility for acrylic rubber and binders for lithium-ion batteries was established.

Manufacturing and sales facility for acrylic rubber and binders for lithium-ion batteries established in 2018.

A manufacturing and sales base for acrylic rubber and lithium-ion battery binders established in 2018. Ruìwēng Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Manufacturing and sales facility for acrylic rubber and lithium-ion battery binders established in 2018.

Zeon Chemicals Europe Limited (UK) was liquidated.

Taiwan Ruien Co., Ltd. was established in Taiwan.

Zeon Chemicals Asia Co., Ltd., which manufactures and sells acrylic rubber in Thailand, was established. Commercial production began in August 2021.

Received the Daikouchi Memorial Technology Award for phase‑contrast film development.

Zeon Opto Bio Lab Co., Ltd. was established.

Signed the UN Global Compact.

Signed the UN Global Compact.

TFC Co., Ltd. was absorbed and merged on April 1, 2020.

A new line for large‑screen TV optical film was completed in Tsuruga City.

70th anniversary of founding

70th anniversary.

Awarded the 2020 Japan Adhesion Society Technical Award for research on label adhesives using asymmetric SIS.

Expressed support for the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations.

Launched the crystalline COP new product "ZEONEX®C2420".

Launched new crystalline COP product "ZEONEX®C2420."

Decided to increase production capacity of Leaf Alcohol, a flagship synthetic fragrance product. Completion scheduled for fall 2022.

Decided to increase leaf alcohol production capacity. Scheduled completion in autumn 2022.

Co-developed a new technology to produce butadiene from biomass with RIKEN and Yokohama Rubber.

Co-developed a new technology to produce butadiene from biomass with RIKEN and Yokohama Rubber.

Commenced production of high thermal conductivity heat dissipation materials (TIM).

Start of commercial acrylic rubber production in Thailand.

Established the "Health Management Declaration" and "Guidelines for Actions Toward Well-being."

Decided to expand the second series of the large TV phase-difference film manufacturing line at Optes Co., Ltd. (Tsuruga plant).

Established Zeon Ventures Inc. in the United States.

Decided to add a second series of large TV phase-difference film production lines at Optes Co., Ltd. (Tsuruga Plant).

Absorbed and merged with Optes Co., Ltd., renaming the Himi Nijo plant and Tsuruga plant.

Acquired Aurora Microplates LLC (United States).

Moved from the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange to the Prime Market.

Renovated the headquarters office.

Established the Sustainability Basic Policy.

Completed the leaf alcohol capacity enhancement project at Mizushima plant and held the completion ceremony.

Completed the Integrated Production Center (IPC) at Takaoka plant.

Completed the Integrated Production Center (IPC) at Takaoka plant.

Acquired Edge Precision Manufacturing, Inc. (United States).

Expanded the world’s widest large TV optical film (ZeonorFilm®) manufacturing line at Tsuruga plant.

Expansion of the world's widest large‑TV optical film (ZeonorFilm®) production line at the Tsuruga plant.

Completed the capacity enhancement project for the fragrance plant at Zeon Chemicals Miyasawa and commenced full-scale production.

Completion of capacity expansion at the fragrance plant in Zeon Chemical USA, Yonezawa, and commencement of full production.

Completion of the COP recycling plant at the Takaoka factory.

Completed the COP recycling plant at Takaoka plant.

Celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025.

Celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025.