ARAKAWA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

In 1876 (Meiji 9), during the early dawn of modern Japan, the first Arakawa Masachika, who had been running a herbal medicine shop under the name "Tamaya" in a corner of 2-chome, Fushimi-cho, Osaka, founded the Arakawa Masachika Store, focusing on expanding its commercial area and sales channels by trading rosin (pine resin) and television oil. This became the foundation of our company, which has been a manufacturer of various rosin-derived derivatives for 150 years, establishing its own technology.

Founded: 1876 (Meiji 9)

In the early days of modern Japan, when the sun was still young, the first Arakawa Masachika ran a herbal medicine shop under the name "Tamaya" in a corner of Osaka Fushimi-cho 2-chome. He founded the Arakawa Masachika Store, which sold "Rojin" (Matsuyani) and "Tevin" oil, aiming to expand his commercial domain and distribution network. This is the origin of our company, which has been a manufacturer of various derivatives based on "Rojin" (Matsuyani) for 150 years, establishing its own technology.

Since its founding in 1876 (Meiji 9), our Arakawa Chemical Group has continued a 150-year history rooted in the chemistry of natural resin rosin (pine resin).

Registered in 1905

A trademark renewal commemorative certificate was registered.

Registered in 1910

A trademark renewal commemorative certificate was registered.

Before the development of the chemical industry in our country, in 1914 (Taisho 3), we established a factory in Osaka's Shitano area to manufacture rosin-related products, thereby establishing a pioneering position in the pine resin chemical products field.

In 1928 (Showa 3), we began manufacturing and selling "ester gum," an industrial raw material for paints, and subsequently developed a wide range of applications including adhesives, chewing gum, paints, and other diverse fields.

We began manufacturing and selling "Ester Gum," an industrial raw material for paints, and since then have developed a wide variety of applications, including adhesives, chewing gum, paints, and more.

Company established: January 1931 (Showa 6)

In 1937 (Showa 12), we successfully developed a denatured rosin phenolic resin and launched it under the product name "Tamano". It was mainly used as varnish for printing inks, paint varnish, and other electrical insulating varnishes, and we continued to develop new products in the same series through continuous technological improvements.

We successfully developed a deactivated phenolic resin from rosin and released it under the product name "Tamano". Its main uses include varnish for printing ink, paint varnish, and other electrical insulating varnishes. We continued to develop new products in the same series through ongoing technological improvements.

In 1945 (Showa 20), we suffered significant losses due to the defeat in the Pacific War, but we restarted after the war with the Imabuchi plant (now Osaka plant) as our core.

After suffering significant losses due to the defeat in the Pacific War, we started anew with the now Osaka factory, which survived the war, as our core.

In 1954 (Showa 29), we developed and manufactured "Size Pine," a sizing agent for paper used as a stain inhibitor for inks, bringing a new wind to the paper industry.

We developed and manufactured "Size Pine", a paper sizing agent used as a stain blocker for ink, bringing a fresh breeze to the paper industry. Previously, paper companies typically purchased lignin and produced their own sizing agents in-house. By producing and selling a paste-like sizing agent that is saponified, highly water-dilutable, and easy to use, we eliminated the sizing agent manufacturing step for paper companies, gaining overwhelming support for this advantage.

In 1960 (Showa 35), we developed the polyacrylamide-based paper strength enhancer "Polistone."

In 1961 (Showa 36), the manufacturing plant for the emulsion polymerization agent "Rondis" was completed, contributing to the expansion of domestic and international demand.

The plant for producing the emulsion polymerization agent "Longis" for synthetic rubber was completed, and with the rapid expansion of the synthetic rubber industry accompanying the arrival of the "car society", we expanded significantly not only domestically but also in overseas markets.

In 1964 (Showa 39), we developed the world’s first hydrogenated petroleum resin "Alcon" and subsequently began full-scale production.

We developed the world’s first hydrogenated petroleum resin "Alcon".

In 1967 (Showa 42), we made our first overseas expansion by establishing a joint venture, Tianli Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. (now Taiwan Arakawa Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.) in Keelung, Taiwan, and began producing rosin-related products.

We began full-scale production of the hydrogenated petroleum resin "Alcon" and received favorable evaluations both domestically and abroad. Additionally, as our first overseas expansion, we established a joint venture, Tianli Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (now Taiwan Arakawa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) in Keelung City, Taiwan, and started production of lignin-related products.

We constructed the Mizushima plant within the Mizushima Compound in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and began full-scale production of "Alcon".

In 1982 (Showa 57), we established a local subsidiary in the United States.

We established a local subsidiary in the United States.

In 1987 (Showa 62), we commercialized the light-cured resin "Beam Set" as a functional coating agent and expanded its use to a wide range of fields, including displays.

In 1987 (Showa 62), we developed the ultra-faint color resin "Pine Crystal" and expanded it to the electronics and medical fields.

We commercialized the light-curable resin "Beam Set" as a functional coating agent, expanding its use across a wide range of fields including displays.

We succeeded in making lignin colorless and odorless, and developed the ultra-light-colored lignin "Pine Crystal".

In 1990 (Heisei 21), we successfully developed "Pine Alpha," a precision electronic component cleaner that replaces freon.

We successfully developed "Pine Alpha", a precision electronic component cleaner that replaces freon.

In 1993 (Heisei 5), we opened the Tsukuba Research Institute with a view to developing new products in electronics and other fields expected to grow.

We established the Tsukuba Research Institute and advanced new product development in fields such as electronics, which are expected to grow in the future.

In 1995 (Heisei 7), we established a local subsidiary in Wuzhou, China.

We established a local subsidiary in Wuzhou, China.

In 1996 (Heisei 8), we established a local subsidiary in Xiamen, China.

We established a local subsidiary in Xiamen, China.

In 1998 (Heisei 10), we licensed the "Alcon" manufacturing technology to Dow Chemical and jointly established a sales company in Germany.

We licensed the "Alcon" manufacturing technology to Dow Chemical and jointly established a sales company in Germany.

In November 1999 (Heisei 11), we listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

Listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

In October 2000 (Heisei 12), we listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

In 2003 (Heisei 15), we added Japan Pernox Co., Ltd. (now Pernox Co., Ltd.) to our group and expanded our business in the electronic materials sector.

We added Japan Pernox Co., Ltd. (now Pernox Co., Ltd.) to our group and expanded our business in the electronic materials sector.

Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges.

In March 2003 (Heisei 15), we listed on the First Sections of the Tokyo and Osaka Stock Exchanges.

In 2004 (Heisei 16), we established local subsidiaries in Nantong and Wuzhou, China.

We established local subsidiaries in Nantong and Wuzhou, China.

In 2008 (Heisei 20), we established our third local subsidiary in Wuzhou, China.

We established our third local subsidiary in Wuzhou, China.

In 2009 (Heisei 21), we jointly developed the hybrid polyimide film "Pomiran" with Taiwan's TaiMai Tech Co., Ltd. and industrialized it.

We jointly developed and industrialized the hybrid polyimide film "Pomiran" with Taiwan TaiMaiTech Co., Ltd.

In 2010 (Heisei 22), we acquired Dow Chemical's "Alcon" business.

We acquired Dow Chemical’s "Alcon" business.

In 2011 (Heisei 23), we merged three local subsidiaries in Wuzhou, China, and established a sales company in Shanghai, China.

We merged the three local subsidiaries in Wuzhou and established a sales company in Shanghai, China.

In 2019 (Reiwa 1), we established ARAKAWA CHEMICAL VIETNAM CO., LTD.

We established ARAKAWA CHEMICAL VIETNAM CO., LTD. in Thailand and other Asian regions.

In 2022 (Reiwa 4), the Tokyo Stock Exchange underwent a market reorganization, and in April of that year we moved to the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Transitioned to the Prime Market following the Tokyo Stock Exchange market reorganization.

In 2026, we will celebrate our 150th anniversary.

Celebrating 150 years of founding.