Kaneka Corporation
 | |
|
Nakanoshima Festival Tower - Kaneka Osaka headquarters | |
Native name | 株式会社 カネカ |
|---|---|
| Kabushiki gaisha | |
| Traded as |
TYO: 4118 NAG: 4118 |
| ISIN | JP3215800008 |
| Industry | Chemistry |
| Founded | September 1, 1949 in Osaka, Japan |
| Headquarters | Osaka, Japan |
Number of locations | 5 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Mamoru Kadokura (President)[1] |
| Products | Chemical products, functional resin, foam products, food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, electronic materials, solar cells, manufacturing and sales of synthetic fibers. Sale of licenses and building materials of construction methods. |
| Revenue | ¥33.046 billion (2014) |
| Total assets | ¥5,201 billion (2014) |
| Owners |
Nippon Life Insurance (5.13%) Japan Trustee Services Bank (4.63%) Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (4.59%) |
Number of employees | 8,907 (2014) |
| Subsidiaries |
Kaneka Americas Kaneka Belgium[2] Kaneka Europe Kaneka Nutrients Kaneka Singapore |
| Website |
www |
Kaneka Corporation (Japanese: 株式会社 カネカ) is a Japanese international chemical manufacturing company based in Osaka, Japan and founded in 1949. The company produces chemical products such as functional resin, foam resin, and synthetic fibers. The company was also engaged in the medical equipment business. In recent years, the company was the top manufacturer of raw material for production of coenzyme Q10, a substance that suppresses the progression of aging, as well as the global player in manufacturing apheresis devices, where blood of a donor or patient is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the circulation.[3]
History
In 1949, the company was founded by separating from the Kanegafuchi Spinning Company, Ltd. with capital of 200 million yen. The company started with developing and producing vinyl chloride named "Kanevinyl". In 1950, the Osaka "Kanevinyl" plant was completed and the mass production od PVC wire covering started in Sakamoto factory. Year later, the company developed vinyl chloride resin type "Kanebirakku" and started production in Osaka factory. In 1953, in addition to the margarine production in Takasagokogyosho, the company started production of a soft vinyl chloride compound "Kanevinyl". In 1957, the company started the production of acrylic synthetic fiber named "Kanekalon".
In 1961, the company developed and marketed "Belco" for Fats and Oils, Ltd. and started the production in Takasago, Hyōgo. In 1965, the company developed expandable styrene-acrylonitrile resin named "Kanepearl". In 1966, Osaka factory developed the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS RESIN). In 1967, the company developed vinyl chloride resin paste named "Kanevinyl paste", which began producing in Osaka factory. In 1968, the company established offices in Europe and New York. Production of extruded polystyrene foam board named "Kanelite Form" began in Kaneka Belgium.
In 1971, Kaneka Americas founded "Kanepearl" plant. In 1972, the company developed styrofoam paper,[4] while development and commercialization of production for flame-retardant ABS resin "Enpurekkusu" started in Osaka factory. In 1979, Kaneka Singapore was founded.[5] The production of modified silicone polymer named "Kaneka MS polymer" started in Kanepearl, now Kaneka Ken.
In 1980, the company marketed reaction intermediate HPG. In 1983, the company developed and marketed AMMPA Kaneka, intermediate for antihypertensive drug, as well as acrylic silicone polymer, Kaneka Gemlac. In 1985, the company developed and marketed polypropylene foam by using bead method. In 1986, the company developed and marketed plasmapheresis system. In 1989, the company developed modified PET resin named "Kaneka Hyperite".
In 1991, the company developed and marketed "Selesorb", a selective adsorption column for systemic lupus erythematosus. In 1993, the company established Nantong Sunrise Worsted Spinning Co., Ltd. as a joint venture with Kyusyu Kanekalon Co., Ltd. Kanematsu Corporation, and Toyobo Co., Ltd. In 1997, the company established Kaneka High-Tech Materials, Inc. to succeed the apical operations of Allied-Apical Company, Inc.
In 2000, the company acquired ISO 14001 certificate for its four plants located in Japan. In the same year, new Eperan factory in Michigan for Kaneka Texas Corporation was completed. The company also received ISO 9001 certificate for all related company divisions involved in making Kanelite Foam. In the same year, the company developed word's first non-fluorocarbon, non-halogen foaming agent type Kanelite Foam, the Type 3 insulation panel. In 2003, the company developed an imide film capable of forming a three-dimensional optical waveguide with a laser. In 2005, the company developed an industry's first acryl grafted vinyl chloride copolymer named "PRICTMER". One year later, in 2006, the company industrialized world's first telechelic polymer. In the same year, they developed a new injection molding resin by applying proprietary nanocomposite technology and developed toughness-enhancing master batches for epoxy resin. In 2008, the company developed a new resin with high mechanical strength and high light resistance named "ILLUMIKA", and developed world's most advanced high thermal conductive graphite sheet, named Graphinity.
In 2010, thew company developed new thermally conductive plastics with electric insulating properties, and the first dual UV/moisture-curing adhesive, together with ChemTech. In the same year, the company formed a capital alliance with the Belgian biotechnology company Eurogentec. In 2011, the company developed the first completely bio-based polymer with soft and heat-resistant properties, as well as a new thermosetting imide resin for a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite material with high heat resistance. In 2012, the company established Kaneka Asia Co., Ltd., an Asia regional umbrella hub based in Shanghai, China, as well as the Kaneka Americas Holding, Inc., an America regional umbrella hub based in Texas, United States. In 2013, the company established Kaneka South America Representative Ltd. and Kaneka Foods Indonesia. In the same year the company founded Kaneka US Material Research Center Facility, in partnership with Texas A&M University.[6]
Products
Bio-pharmaceutical research and development support
In March 6, 2015, the United States Food and Drug Administration authorized use of Lixelle Beta 2-microglobulin Apheresis Column, the first device to treat Haemodialysis-associated amyloidosis (DRA) developed and produced by Kaneka Corporation.[7] The Lixelle Column system is used for helping patient to eliminate agents that cause inflammation. The system is used in treatment of HIV, arthritis, cholesterol management and ulcerative colitis.[8]
Awards and recognition
In 1958, Kaneka Corporation received Deming Application Prize for quality. In 1981, the company won the "80 fiscal Society of Polymer Science Award" in molecular design and industrialization of modified silicone polymer "Kaneka MS polymer".
In 1982, the company received an award from the Chemical Society of Japan for the technical development of D-para-hydroxyphenylglycine manufacturing technology. In the same year, Kaneka North America, formerly known as Kaneka Texas Corporation, was established. In 1983, the company received a "Nikkei Superior Product and Service Award" for Kanekalon's artificial fur from the Nikkei Marketing Journal. In 1984, they received an award from the Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan for flame retardant fiber technology. In 1986, the company received an award from the Japanese Society of Fermentation Technology for beta hydroxy fatty acid. In 1987, the received an award from the Japanese Society of Fiber Science and Technology for Kanekalon coloring and spinning method. In 1988, the company received Inoue Harushige Award from the Research Development Corporation of Japan for amorphous solar panel research and commercialization. In 1989, the company received an award from the Society of Polymer Science of Japan for developing plasmapheresis system.
In 1992, the company received an award from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for developing silyl modified polymers (MS Polymers). A year later, they received an award from the Japanese Kinki Chemical Society for developing Apical NPI, as well as an award from the Japanese Society of Fiber Science and Technology for developing Protex, a flame retardant fiber.
In 2011, the company received the awards from the Society of Polymer Science of Japan for developing telechelic acrylate polymer. In the same year, the company received an award from the 21st International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference. Kaneka Corporation is on the of the world's leading producers of photovoltaic systems.[9]
Offices
The company has offices in the following locations:
- Osaka headquarters (Osaka, Kita-ku)
- Tokyo head office (Tokyo, Minato-ku)
- Nagoya office (Nagoya Higashi-ku)
- Takasagokogyosho (Hyōgo Prefecture), the main production base of food and pharmaceutical products
- Osaka factory in Settsu, Osaka, producing foam products, blood purification system, endovascular surgery equipment, vinyl chloride resin, among others.
- Shiga plant (Shiga Prefecture), producing electronics material
- Kashima plant (Ibaraki Prefecture), producing synthetic resin products
- Institutes in Takasago and Osaka
- Overseas locations in America, Belgium, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Vietnam, among others.
See also
- List of Japanese companies
- Modacrylic
References
- ↑ Jaén, Rebeca (17 February 2015). "Biotec firma un acuerdo con Kaneka para la creación de compuestos biológicos" (in Spanish). Alimarket. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ Sempill Watts, Melina (25 February 2015). "Engineering Students Devise System to Track Ghost Fishing Nets". Earth Island Journal. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Growth in Global Blood Supply Fuels Demand for Apheresis Equipment, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc." (Press release). PRR. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Styrofoams Market - Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 to 2020 : Future Market Insights". Digital Journal. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Kaneka Singapore Co (Pte) Ltd". JobsCentral. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Kaneka Corporation Partners with Texas A&M". KAGS TV. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ Pahon, Eric (6 March 2015). "FDA authorizes use of first device to treat patients with dialysis-related amyloidosis". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
- ↑ Balancia, Donna (7 March 2015). "Dialysis Product Lixelle Column Gets FDA Approval". HNGN. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ↑ "Global Photovoltaics Market Forecast to Grow at 18.30% CAGR During 2014-2020". AZO Cleantech. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.