Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Member of SETOLAS

Company

The History of
Kyowa Chemical Industry

STORY 01

Factory Built from Scratch

In 1947, Matsushima Ryohei established Kyowa Chemical Factory in Takamatsu, Japan.
Immediately after the war, when the city was still recovering, the factory was built on the rubble of a salt field with only a handful of employees. The history of "Kyowa" began.

Kyowa Chemical Industry's plant in 1947

Kyowa Chemical Industry's plant in 1947

STORY 02

Origin of the name “Kyowa Chemical Industry”

Based on the integration of two philosophies, “a company belongs to its employees”, and “a company where all employees cooperate (Kyowa)”, the name "Kyowa Chemical Industry" was conceived.
** “Kyowa” is the Japanese word for cooperation.

Origin of the name “Kyowa Chemical Industry” 1
Origin of the name “Kyowa Chemical Industry” 2

STORY 03

We must succeed!

While on a visit to Osaka Port during the Great Depression, Matsushima Yoshio, who later became Kyowa’s first president, witnessed a city in shambles filled with poverty.
It was there that he firmly swore “It is wrong that people have to endure such hardship. We must provide opportunities for our employees and their families! We must succeed!”

Kyowa’s first president, Matsushima Yoshio

STORY 04

The First Spring Recreational Celebration

The first and most memorable spring recreational celebration was held in 1951, under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom.
In the middle of the feast, when sake was starting to run low, a normally very quiet employee suddenly uttered, “Hey Boss! We will work hard to grow our company so that next year’s celebration can be twice the number of people!” At that time, all seven employees could gather on two mats under one cherry blossom tree.

The First Spring Recreational Celebration 1
The First Spring Recreational Celebration 2

STORY 05

Establishment of
Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

In 1950, the production of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide started from a pilot plant under the name Kyowa Chemical Industry. Consistent production growth proved to Mr. Matsushima that Kyowa could be a successful and sustainable business.
On Thursday, September 17, 1952, Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. was officially established.

Establishment of Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 1
Establishment of Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. 2

STORY 06

Resourcefulness and Ingenuity

In 1951, resources and equipment were difficult to obtain. At the time, sake barrels were abundantly not being used by the breweries. In an insightful thought, Kyowa determined that the sake barrels could be used as tanks for raw materials. These became the first tanks used as storage for bittern.

The second president with the bittern tank at that time

The second president with the bittern tank at that time

STORY 07

R&D in the Early Days

Research and development were equally challenging. Equipment was limited to only items such as a small toy-like microscope and a handmade electric dryer. Litmus paper and an employee’s tongue were used to test pH measurement.
“Unique products through unique technologies”
Limited financial capabilities and access to complex manufacturing equipment prompted the company to develop their methods and processes.
After countless trial and error experiments, Kyowa was determined to develop the best products using unique technologies. As a result, Kyowa became the first company in the world to be successful in the industrial synthesis of hydrotalcites.

R&D in the Early Days 1
R&D in the Early Days 2

STORY 08

“Unique products through unique technologies”

For Kyowa at that time, manufacturing using complicated and big equipment like other large companies was financially difficult. There was no choice but to develop manufacturing methods that matched our financial capability.
After performing countless trial and error experiments, we aimed to develop the best products in the world with our unique technologies. As the result, we became the first in the world to be successful in the industrial synthesis of hydrotalcite.

“Unique products through unique technologies”
is our motto.