| 1831 |
The NAGASE Group traces its roots to 1832 when founder Denbei Nagase established Urokogataya, a dyestuffs wholesale business that handled safflower, funori seaweed, and starches in Nishijin, Kyoto. Later on, we established a foothold in the chemical industry by starting to handle synthetic dyes. |
| 1901 |
Entering the 1900s, the NAGASE Group started doing business with overseas manufacturers to pursue the possibilities of chemicals. As it expanded its import business, NAGASE established an office in Lyon, France in 1901. That spurred the expansion of partnerships with overseas manufacturers, including Basel Chemical Co. of Switzerland (at that time called Ciba), as well as Eastman Kodak Co. (now Kodak) and DuPont of the United States. While importing state-of-the-art products from overseas, including technology not yet available in Japan, and making great strides as a trading company specializing in chemical products, the NAGASE Group delivered new value. |
| 1913 |
Tokyo branch office in 1913 |
| 1917-12 |
December 1917: The head office in Osaka at the time of Nagase’s incorporation |
| 1919 |
Employees assigned to the London office, around 1919 (Tokutaro Nagase second from left in front row) |
| 1943-06 |
Advertisement of Nagase's name change in June 1943 |
| 1952 |
Founded in 1952, Nagase RooTAC INDUSTRIES,INC. (formerly TOTAKU INDUSTRIES, INC) has been a pioneer in the pipes and hose industry, creating the world’s first flexible hose. Driven by our core principle of prioritizing customer satisfaction through exceptional quality, we continuously innovate to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Join us as we pave the way for a brighter future with solutions that matter. |
| 1952 |
Founded in 1952. The world’s first flexible hose manufacturer. |
| 1966 |
Division for Kodak Products Service Corner at Shinsaibashi branch (1966) |
| 1967 |
Setsunan Kasei (1967) |
| 1969-10 |
The newly completed Tokyo branch office building (October 1969) |
| 1970 |
In 1970, it established Nagase-CIBA Ltd. (now Nagase ChemteX Corporation) as a joint venture with Ciba for manufacturing epoxy resins. |
| 1970 |
The Harima Factory after completion of phase one of construction, 1970 |
| 1971 |
The following year, it established Engineering Plastics, Ltd. (EPL) in a 50-50 joint venture with GE. |
| 1971 |
Nagase-CIBA in 1971 |
| 1980 |
The headquarters building of Union Carbide Corporation in New York City, occupied until 1980 |
| 1982 |
The 150th anniversary party, 1982 |
| 1990 |
In 1990, it established the Nagase R&D Center (now the Nagase Bio-Innovation Center) as a base for R&D into bio-related materials. |
| 2007 |
In 2007, it opened the Nagase Application Workshop, an open innovation laboratory, in a push to also secure an advantage in R&D functions. |
| 2007-06-18 |
Advertisement in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (June 18, 2007) |
| 2012 |
In 2012, the NAGASE Group made the biotechnology specialist Hayashibara Co., Ltd. a subsidiary to strengthen its food ingredients business. |
| 2019 |
In 2019, it made Prinova Group LLC, a US-based company that sells and processes food ingredients and has a global sales network, a subsidiary. |
| 2020 |
With the establishment of the Sustainability Committee and formulation of the Sustainability Basic Policy in 2020, it has also been focusing on sustainability in recent years. |
| 2032 |
Looking forward to our 200th anniversary in the year 2032, we will contribute to the society as a Business Designer that creates a sustainable future. |
