1940s

  1. 1947

    Established SEKISUI INC. with the goal of running a general plastic business.

    Founding members
  2. 1948

    Opened a plant in Nara ( – 1957),
    with automatic injection molding giving rise to the first plastic automatic injection molding business in Japan

    Company name changed to SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.

    【Corporate Symbol】
    The 3S 's from the three words of the original company name (SEKISUI Sangyo) are arranged inside a hexagonal mark (the chemical symbol for benzene) and made to resemble the Japanese character for "water"

    Opened a new plant in Osaka ( – 1971),
    producing PVA and cellophane tape

    Handbag made of PVA (poval film)

Tips_1940s

The long-desired factory finally begins operation, delivering molded products made from a new material to the world

Nara Plant – our first company plant

1950s

  1. 1950

    Exhibited a trial cellophane tape product at the Osaka Hankyu Plastics Exhibition

    Details

  2. 1952

    Opened a new plant in Kyoto,
    and started full scale production of ESLON Pipe, a hard PVC pipe

    Details

  3. 1953

    Opened a new plant in Tokyo ( – 2015),
    and started production of plastic molding products to become the supplier in the Kanto region.

    Details

    First listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange, and in 1954, first listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

  4. 1955

    Succeeded in molding injection of the PVC pipe fittings that played an important role in the popularization of ESLON Pipe

    Company song is established

  5. 1956

    Developed Japan's first plastic rain gutters, ESLON Rain Gutters.

    Production of rain gutters in 1956
  6. 1957

    Opened a new plant in Nara,
    becoming the largest plastic molding plant in Asia

    Product launch of Poly Buckets, buckets made from polyethylene

  7. 1958

    Production begins for S-LEC, an interlayer film for laminated glass

  8. 1959

    The 3S Principal is officially adopted as a corporate philosophy

    【Corporate Philosophy – the 3S Principal】
    This principal hasn't changed since the company was established, but part of the principal was re-interpreted in 1992

Tips_1957

The Poly Bucket – a standard wedding gift that every bride desires!

Nowadays, you can find Poly Buckets throughout Japan, but when it was first introduced in Japan in the second half of the 1950s, it was the latest lifestyle product that was a part of every bride’s arsenal. It became popular for its usefulness and as a stylish gift.

An advertisement photograph from 1957

1950s

  1. 1960

    Opened a plant in Ritto, Shiga

    Shiga Ritto Plant in the 1960s
    Built as the main factory for extrusion molding of PVC pipe, etc.

    Opened a plant in Minakuchi, Shiga

    Shiga Minakuchi Plant in the 1960s

    The SEKISUI House Model A trial was a success, further advancing the housing business division.
    In the same year, SEKISUI House Sangyo Co., Ltd. (now SEKISUI House Co., Ltd.) was spun off as a separate company.

    The first SEKISUI House Model A.
    It was the first time light gauge steel was used as a general housing construction material. At the time, there were dreams of an all- plastic house.
  2. 1961

    Opened the Central Research Laboratory (now High Performance Plastics Company’s Research & Development Institute) in Minase, Osaka

    A class at the Central Research Laboratory (now High Performance Plastics Company’s Research & Development Institute) and SEKISUI CHEMICAL Kogakuin University. The campus featured a school building, a student dorm, a gym, and other facilities. In its 5 years of operation, over 450 students studied here.
  3. 1962

    Opened a plant in Musashi

    The Musashi Plant in 1962 (left) and the first shipment of tape (top) Kraft and paper tape production commenced in 1963, with polyethylene film production following in 1964, becoming a base for packaging material.

    The "Clean Up Our Streets” movement was started as a campaign commemorating the company's 15th anniversary, and a cleaning revolution fueled by the Poly-Pail spread throughout Japan

Tips_1962

The 15th anniversary "Clean Up Our Streets” movement begins.

A city beautification movement was developed based on a slogan: “Make Tokyo beautiful through the hands of ten million”.
This lead to the popularization of Poly-Pails. SEKISUI CHEMICAL also sought after city beautification through a revolutionary advertisement series in the 1960s based around a motto: “Bring the Olympics to beautiful Tokyo”. These sales promotion activities connected with the public, and many public organizations and ladies’ societies favorably took up the cause, leading the Poly-Pail to unprecedented success and praise as a “revolution in cleaning” from various media outlets.

Concrete and wooden trash cans slowly disappear from the streets.
【Advertisement Series from the 1960s (June 1962)】
The advertisement series for the "Clean Up Our Streets" movement won the grand prize in the Nikkei Advertising Awards C Category (18 industries, including chemical, electronic, etc.) in 1963.
  1. 1963

    Production of SEKISUI Bath, the first FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic) bathtub manufactured in Japan, begins

    SEKISUI PLASTICS CORPORATION (SPC) opened in Pennsylvania, U.S., for the manufacture of expandable polystyrene paper, the first plant to be set up in the U.S. by a Japanese manufacturer

Tips_1963-

History of Sporting Activity

We’ve thrived in sporting activities for much of our history. Our rowing club won in the Japan Business Sporting Four in 1960, and our table tennis club won in Business Championships in 1962, 1963, and 1965.
Our baseball club won the 1963 Intercity Baseball Championship representing Kyoto. Our ladies’ basketball club rose to number one in the Japan League in 1993, our track and field club (men) began in 1994 (until 2002), and our female athletic group began in 1997. In the same year, Hiromi Suzuki won the world title in the women’s marathon at the World Championships in Athens, and in 2000, Naoko Takahashi won the gold medal in the Women’s Marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney.

Table tennis club
Baseball club

Tips_1963

First Japanese manufacturing company to expand to the U.S.

In 1963, SEKISUI CHEMICAL established SEKISUI PLASTICS CORPORATION (SPC) in Pennsylvania, U.S., to manufacture expandable polystyrene paper. This was the first expansion into the U.S. for a Japanese manufacturing company. In the same year, SEKISUI MALAYSIA CO., LTD. was established in Singapore to manufacture pipes for tin -- mine and general water supply, and SEKISUI continued to actively expand globally until the later half of the 1970s.

SEKISUI PLASTICS CORPORATION
  1. 1964

    TOKUYAMA SEKISUI CO., LTD. is established,
    and production of vinyl chloride resin begins

    Construction site for TOKUYAMA SEKISUI. Initial capital was 2.5 billion yen. This was a large project, as it amounted to nearly half of our capital at the time (5.7 billion yen)

Tips_1960s

Promoting Domestic Localization

With the economic expansion period coming to an end in 1961 after a long run, performance improvements were widely sought after, such as local product development and transportation cost reduction. This led to the establishment of many local production companies all over Japan from 1962 to 1963, laying the foundation for the various local production companies currently located throughout the country.

Advertisements at the Time
Established HOKKAIDO SEKISUI INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (currently SEKISUI CHEMICAL HOKKAIDO CO., LTD.) in 1963
  1. 1965

    The first year of income reductions, deficits, and omitted dividends. In 1967, capital was reduced by half

Tips_1965

Challenges I

Since establishment, business operations have continued to expand, but the burden of interest from excess capital investment and rapid increases put pressure on our operations. In addition, a recession led to poor sales and excessive stock, which in September of 1965 (calculations were only made biannually during that time) led to the first ever income reductions, deficits, and omitted dividends since establishment. In 1967, capital was reduced by half. However, using these challenges as a catalyst, the Softlon business (foam) was started in 1968, and the SEKISUI HEIM modular house was announced in 1970, planting the seeds for a great support even today for the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group.

Split Yarn, a network structure synthetic fiber created utilizing stretching technology
Advertisement for Printel synthetic paper
  1. 1967

    The SEKISUI Tento Mushi Matsuri (ladybug festival) was held all over Japan

    Details

  2. 1968

    Softlon expandable polyolefin business begins, and Sunoko for bathrooms achieved widespread popularity in the late 1960s.

Tips_1968

Active Global Expansion Period I

The Softlon business (foam), started in 1968, received high praises globally, and in 1969 SEKISUI VOLTEK, LLC. was established as a joint venture with an American company. In 1971, SEKISUI ALVEO AG was established in Switzerland, becoming a base for European expansion. SEKISUI S-LEC MEXICO S.A. de C.V. was established in 1971 for the interlayer film for laminated glass business, SEKISUI ESLON B.V. was established in 1974 for the rain gutter business, and other companies were established that support the global expansion goals today of the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group.

Softlon
VOLTEK, LLC.
The pattern for the opening ceremony of ALVEO B.V. in 1973
ESLON B.V.

1970s

  1. 1970

    Exhibited the SEKISUI HEIM (HEIM M1) modular house at the International Good Living Show in Tokyo

    Details

  2. 1971

    Full-scale entry into housing business with launch of SEKISUI HEIM

    Details

  3. 1972

    Headquarters moved to Dojima Kanden building
    (the current Osaka headquarters)

  4. 1974

    Full-scale production of FFU synthetic wood begins

  5. 1975

    Launched ESLON RCP
    reinforced plastic composite pipe product

  6. 1979

    Micropearl plastic particles are commercialized

    Dicsplayed liquid crystal that used Micropearl S

    Started medical projects at the Central Research Institute

    Awarded the Deming Prize, the highest honor for total quality management from production to sales and service

Tips_1970s

There is something strong supporting the World Exposition from underground. That something is ESLON Pipe.

In 1970, the Senri Hills in Osaka hosted the Japan World Exposition among world attention. SEKISUI's ESLON pipe supported the Exposition from underground. All of the water used at the Exposition, including drinking water and plant water systems, was delivered by ESLON pipes. The Exposition was a great success, welcoming approximately 64 million people, and SEKISUI's technology contributed to this success.

"290 days left til the World Expo"
A newspaper advertisement

1980s

  1. 1981

    Established a dual-headquarters system, opening a Tokyo headquarters in Toranomon, Tokyo

  2. 1982

    Opened a plant in Gunma

    Product launch in Sendai of the Two-U Home, a wooden structured modular house, expanding nationwide from 1984

    Details

  3. 1985

    Product launch of the world's first plastic vacuum blood collection tubes

    Details

  4. 1986

    Developed the "SPR method", pipe rehabilitation method

    Introduced manufacturing technology from Liblock Systems in the Netherlands, completed as the SPR method. This was an advanced effort in anticipation of infrastructure deterioration in the future.

Tips_1980s

Additional development of lines of business

We established an Applied Electronics Research Institute (now R&D Center) in 1987 for the IT (electronics) field, which has struggled with supplying external parts for electrical appliances since the period of high economic growth. This led us on a journey to strengthen our cutting edge research and development based on accumulated technology.


1990s

  1. 1990

    Opened the Housing Integration Institute (now Housing Technology Institute)

  2. 1992

    Opened the Kyoto Technology Center (now Kyoto Research & Development Institute)

  3. 1995

    Product launch of Desio, a 3-story house launched as a memorial product for the housing business’ 25th anniversary

    Desio, a 3-story house.

    Development and production of Japan’s first polyethylene water distribution pipes begins

  4. 1996

    The home refurbishing business (Fami S) begins full commercial operations

    The company's capital exceeds 100 billion yen (the current capital)

    A new corporate logo established

Tips_1996

A new corporate logo is born!

In honor of our 50th anniversary, we renewed our English logo in 1997. The new logo offers a softer impression than our previous one, and it expresses the attitude of creating kinder products by people in a natural environment – one of our goals. The red circle contained in the letter E represents the idea of aiming for a more prosperous coexistence, matching with our slogan of “living together”.

Logo transition
  1. 1997

    Product launch of homes equipped with photovoltaic systems

    Homes equipped with photovoltaic systems

    Female Athletics Group established (SEKISUI Fairies, 2012 – )


2000s

  1. 2000

    Naoko Takahashi (Female Athletics Group) wins the gold medal in the women’s marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney (first Japanese female to win in track and field)

  2. 2001

    Product launch of Fi-Block, a thermal expansion fire protection material

    Company Division organization implemented

Tips_1998-2001

Challenges II

We remember the new challenges around the turn of the century. The housing bubble burst, causing our operating profits of over 60 billion yen in 1996 to fall into the red only 2 years later in 1998. There was then a global IT recession, and both fiscal 2000 and 2001 were in the red. We began our company organization system in 2001, together with urgent management measures. We went about restructuring the company, with a reduction of fixed costs and production scales and implementation of an early retirement system. Through these measures, we sped up business selection and concentration, as well as administrative decision making, leading to operational profits in 2002. Since then, we have continued to move towards new growth.

  1. 2002

    Founded the "SEKISUI CHEMICAL Innovations Inspired by Nature Research Support Program" as part of the 65th anniversary celebrations.

  2. 2003

    SEKISUI HEIM M1 selected as part of the 100 Best Examples of Modern Japanese Architecture

  3. 2004

    Launched in-home care service business (established SEKISUI OASIS)

Tips_2000s

CSR management - Contribute to society through business -

The Creation Research Grant Program for Learning in Nature aims to support research activities of universities and research organizations trying to utilize fundamental scientific knowledge discovered in nature. Established in 2002, it is held each year as one of our 55th anniversary commemorative initiatives.

  1. 2006

    Daiichi Pure Chemicals Co., Ltd. Becomes member of SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group aiming to strengthen the medical business

  2. 2007

    Global Children’s Eco Summit, the 60th anniversary program established in 2007

  3. 2008

    New plant opened in Taga

  4. 2009

    Established a joint venture production and sales company in Thailand as the first overseas advancement of the housing business

    Acquired the polyvinyl alcohol-resin business from the American company, Celanese Corporation, and established SEKISUI SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AMERICA, LLC. and SEKISUI SPECIALTY CHEMICALS EUROPE, S.L.

Tips_2000s

Active Global Expansion Period II

After recovering in 2002, we began planning once again for active global expansion aimed at new growth. A water distribution pipe joint venture company was established in Qingdao, China, in 2002, leading to actual expansion in China, a country with remarkable growth. The following year, bases were also established in China for the interlayer film for laminated glass and medical business (vacuum blood collection tubes). Plants for the interlayer film business were successively put into operation in the Netherlands in 1997, in Thailand in 2002, in China in 2004, and in the U.S. in 2007. For our medical business, we inherited the diagnostic reagent business from Genzyme Corporation (now SEKISUI DIAGNOSTICS, LLC. ) in 2010, and have expanded our business in Europe and America.


2010s

  1. 2011

    Production and sales for housing business are integrated into a single system

  2. 2012

    Hosted the Global Children’s Eco Summit as part of the 65th anniversary celebrations. Established the "SEKISUI Environment Week" and the "Greenest Person award" based on children’s ideas

    The Global Children’s Eco Summit

Tips_1972-

Environmental Management Progress

Air and water pollution in Japan became a social matter in the 1950s, and we established our Environmental Management Department in 1972, planning out reduced environmental burdens for society through promoting environmental management systems, zero emission activities, etc. Additionally, in 2003, we began evolving into an environmental management organization, striving to think about and develop not only risk management but also the environment as an integral part of management.
In 1993, we introduced a Product Environmental Impact Evaluation system to examine the contribution and care given to the environment in the product development and planning stages. We established the Environmental Contribution Product system in 2003, registering products that demonstrate great positive contributions to the environment for our customers, and this has allowed us to secure both ecology and economy through creating and expanding this system.

1972

Environmental Management Office established

2000

First zero-emissions factories

2003

Environmental Management Promotion Department established

2006

Environmental Contribution Product system implemented

2012

65th anniversary commemoration
Held the World Eco Summit
Established “SEKISUI Environment Week” and “Eco-friendly” system in response to children’s proposals

  1. 2013

    The "SPR method" for pipeline rehabilitation was awarded the Okochi Memorial Prize

  2. 2015

    Development of sound insulation interlayer film for laminated glass awarded the Okochi Memorial Production Prize

    Launched full-scale operations at the Chlorinated Poly-Vinyl Chloride (CPVC) resin and compound plants in Thailand

  3. 2016

    Misaki Onishi, a member of the female athletics group (the Sekisui Fairies) competed in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

    ©Rikujyo Kyogi, a monthly publication

    Advisor Okubo received the Deming Prize

    Okubo Advisor at the award ceremony
    (front row, 2nd from left)
  4. 2017

    70th anniversary

    Film type lithium ion battery business started. First product was installed in the "Smart Power Station 100% Edition"

    In addition to large-scale development of thin film lithium ion batteries and coating processes, we established a new electrode-coating insulating material and processing technology, offering safety, longevity, and high volume at the same time.

    【Film-Type Lithium-Ion Batteries】
    Using a coating process, we have developed a large-capacity film-type lithium-ion battery which simultaneously achieves high safety, long service life, and large capacity. Commercialization is taking place with the number one target being the field of stationary and home storage batteries.

    【Bio-refinery】
    By establishing technology that uses a microbial catalyst to convert gases generated at garbage disposal facilities into ethanol, we aim to create the complete resource recycling society without dependence on fossil fuels.

  5. 2019

    【Complex large-scale town “Asaka Lead Town” of SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group's Urban Development】
    Opened a complex large-scale town that used 102 products and services of SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. We concentrated the total power of the group to contribute for the solution of regional and social problems under the motto "Safe & Sound: a sustainable eco-friendly town"(Images are for illustration purposes.)

    Ground

    Underground

    Tokyo Head Office relocated to current Okura Prestige Tower


2020s

  1. 2020

    Long-term Vision ”Vision 2030” (for FY2020 to FY2030)

  2. 2021

    Women's Track & Field Team SEKISUI Fairies Wins First Queen's Ekiden

  3. 2022

    75th anniversary

To be Continued ...