History

1919

・Established as Osaka Sansuiso K.K.

1920

・Began making and selling oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis of water.

・Created a company logo composed of 2 Hydrogen molecules and 1 Oxygen molecule to represent water (H2O) - the main component in electrolysis.

1922

・Completed facilities for hardened oils. Began making hardened fish oil with surplus hydrogen.

▲Hardened Oil Plant ca. 1922.
1929

・Completed facilities for fatty acids. Began making fatty acids, glycerin, and edible oils.

1932

・Began making oleic acid and stearic acid mainly for use in textile oils and as a raw material for candles.

1935

・Began making laundry soaps using hardened oil.

▲Promotional balloon for Wan-wan laundry soap.
1938

・Began commercial sale of household detergents (sodium coco-sulfate).

1941

・Began making and selling hardened oils for food oil substitutes (margarine).

1942

・Opened a sales office in Tokyo.

1943

・Became a subsidiary of Kanegafuchi Boseki K.K. and changed the company name to Kanegafuchi Yushi Kogyo K.K.

1944

・Began making PHARMACOPOEA JAPONICA Grade glycerin.

1948

・Changed the company name to Sansuiso Yushi Kogyo K.K.

1949

・Listed on the Osaka Stock Exchange.

1951

・Entered the plasticizer business after beginning commercial sale of nDOP (Di-n-octyl phthalate) plasticizers made from higher alcohols (palm/coconut oil-based alcohols).

・Completed facilities for high pressure hydrogenation. Began making higher alcohols (CONOL) using high pressure hydrogenation.

▲Fushimi Port's unloading facility ca. 1953.
Currently the Fushimi Port Park area (Fushimi-ku, Kyoto).
1957

・Completed facilities for epoxy-type plasticizers. Began making SANSO CIZER E-2000 Series.

・Began making SANDREXTM for laundry detergents, SINOLINTM for surface active agents, and cyclohexylamine.

・Succeeded in the industrial production of cyclohexylamine (CHA) using hydrogenation.

1961

・Began commercial sale of the plasticizer SANSO CIZER DOP (Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate).

・Began making Japan's first succinic anhydride (RIKACID SA).

▲Kyoto Plant ca. 1961
1962

・Began making the diprotic acid-based plasticizers SANSO CIZER DIDA (diisodecyl adipate) and DOA (Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate).

1963

・Began making Japan's first acid anhydrides such as tetrahydro phthalic anhydride (RIKACIDTM TH) and hexahydro phthalic anhydride (RIKACIDTM HH). Entered the epoxy resin curing agent business.

・Began making the non-phthalic plasticizer SANSO CIZER DOTH (4-cyclohexen-1,2-dicarboxylic acid Di(2-ethylhexyl)) using original in-house materials (RICACID TH).

・Constructed Tokushima Plant (Tokushima, Tokushima Pref.).

▲Tokushima Plant ca. 1963
1964

・Created our current logo.

・Began making epoxy hexahydro Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (SANSO CIZER E-PS).

・Constructed Kawasaki Plant in the industrial complex area of Tonen Sekiyu Kagaku (presently Tonen Kagaku or Tonen Chemical Corporation).

▲Kawasaki Plant right after completion.
1965

・Began making hydrogenated bisphenol A (RIKABINOLTM HB) and reduced lanolin (RIKALANOLTM).

1966

・Established Albess Co., Ltd. for the sale of surfactants.

1967

・Changed the company name to Shin Nihon Rika K.K. (New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd.)

1968

・Completion of Research Laboratory in Kyoto Plant.

▲Research laboratory right after completion.
1969

・Commissioned by Research Development Corporation of Japan to develop new organic gelling agents.

・Established Nikko Co., Ltd.

1970

・Began sales of low-volatile and low-temperature-resisting SANSOCIZER DUP plasticizers.

1971

・Began sale of unsaturated fatty alcohols (UNJECOLTM) and special higher alcohols.

・Completed production facilities for hydrogenated bisphenol A (RIKABINOL HB) at Tokushima Plant.

・Succeeded in developing new organic gelling agents and completed the corresponding production facilities.

▲Article on the successful development of organic gelling agents.
1972

・Merged with Nissan Chemical Industries and established Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd. to manufacture plasticizers.

1973

・Awarded the 5th Ichimura Prize by New Technology Development Foundation for the development of organic gelling agents.

1974

・Completed a plant for making unsaturated fatty alcohols (UNJECOL) at Tokushima Plant.Produced Japan's first unsaturated fatty alcohol using a process of high pressure hydrogenation.

1976

・Presented on the modifying effects (improvement in transparency and dimensional stability) of adding trace amounts of organic gelling agents (GELOL D) to polyolefin.

1977

・Began commercial sale of the liquid acid anhydrides RIKACID MH and MH-700(4-Methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride).

1978

・Awarded the 12th Industrial Technology Award by the Japan Oil Chemists' Society for the industrial production and implementation of production technology for long-chain unsaturated alcohols using contact high pressure hydrogenation.

1979

・Established Chiba Fatty Acid Co., Ltd. jointly with Nippon Oil and Fats Co., Ltd. and Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K. for the production of fatty acids.

・Then CEO Koichi Murai was awarded the Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor.

1980

・Began commercial sale of the new plasticizer SANSO CIZER DINP (diisononyl phthalate).

・Established Rika Fine-tech Inc. (formerly Rika Hercules Inc.), jointly with Hercules Incorporated for the production of rosin derivatives.

1982

・Completed a new building at the Research Laboratory.

・Began commercial sale of the sorbitol‐based nucleating agent GELOL MD.

1983

・Began commercial sale of the antistatic plasticizer (SANSO CIZER C-1100).

1984

・Developed oxidation technology and began commercial sale of 1,2,3,4-butane-tetracarboxylic acid (RIKACID BT-W).

・Began commercial sale of RIKABION Series amphoteric surfactants.

・Then CEO Koichi Murai was awarded Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, Fourth Class.

1985

・Completed a facility for making diprotic acid plasticizers (SANSO CIZER DIDA, DOA, etc.) at Kawasaki Plant.

1986

・Awarded the Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of an antistatic plasticizer (SANSO CIZER C-1100).

1988

・Established Iwatani Rika Co., Ltd. jointly with Iwatani International Corporation for the production of surfactants.

1989

・Completed a multi-hydrogenation facility at Kyoto Plant.

・Issued Swiss franc-convertible bonds worth SFr.75,000,000.

・Established Henkel Rika Sdn. Bhd. (presently Emery Oleochemicals Rika Sdn.Bhd.) jointly with Henkel Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd. and Lucky Ltd. in Malaysia for the production of higher alcohols and glycerin.

▲Contract signing ceremony for joint venture with Henkel Rika
1990

・Moved from Second Section to First Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.

・Established Taiwan NJC Corporation jointly with Nice Enterprise Co., Ltd. and Chi-Chang Chem-Co., Ltd. for the production and sale of surfactants.

1991

・Completed a facility for making 1,2,3,4-butane-tetracarboxylic acid (RIKACIDTM BT-W) at Kyoto Plant.

1993

・Began commercial sale of vegetable unsaturated fatty alcohols (RIKACOL).

1996

・Completed an oxidation process facility at Kyoto Plant and a plant for making exclusive new organic gelling agents at Tokushima Plant. Succeeded in developing thermoplastic polyimide commissioned by Research Development

・Corporation of Japan (presently Japan Science and Technology Corporation).

・All operation bases (Osaka Head Office, Tokyo Office, Research Laboratory, Kyoto Plant, Tokushima Plant and Kawasaki Plant) were accredited under ISO-9001.

1997

・Established Rika International Ltd. in England.

・Awarded the 47th Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of a new raw material for polyimide resins (3,3',4,4'-diphenylsulphone-tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride: RIKACID DSDA).

1998

・Established SK NJC Co., Ltd. in Korea jointly with SK Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation for the production of polyester resin as a raw material.

・Established RiKAmerica Inc. to begin the sale of chemical products in the U.S.

1999

・Changed the company name of the jointly owned venture Henkel Rika Sdn. Bhd. to Cognis Rika Sdn. Bhd. (presently Emery Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd.)

・Acquired Rika Hercules Inc. and changed the name to Rika Fine-tech Inc.

2000

・Completed a multi-hydrogenation facility at Tokushima Plant.

・SK NJC Co., Ltd. in Korea completed a production facility for 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (SKY CHDM) under our technical guidance.

2001

・Completed Nissin Chemical's Shizuoka Plant.

2004

・Established Sakai Plant (in Sakai, Osaka).

・Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd. began making alkyl ether acidic surfactants (SINOLIN SPE Series).

・Acquired ISO-14001 certification for Kyoto Plant and Research Laboratory, Tokushima Plant and Kawasaki Plant.

2005

・Acquired ISO-9001 certification for all business locations: Osaka Head Office, Tokyo Office, Research Laboratory, Kyoto Plant, Tokushima Plant, Kawasaki Plant and Sakai Plant.

2006

・Consolidated the production of surfactants in Chiba and closed Nissin Chemical's Shizuoka Plant.

2007

・Awarded the 41st Industrial Technology Award by Japan Oil Chemists' Society for the improvement of the temporal stability of unsaturated alcohols through selective hydrogenation of conjugated double bonds.

・Established Grandee Biotechnologies Sdn.Bhd. in Malaysia jointly with Taiwan NJC Corporation for the production of surfactants.

2008

・Acquired Chiba Fatty Acid Co.

・Renewed ISO-14001 certification for Kyoto Plant and Research Laboratory, Tokushima Plant, Kawasaki Plant and Sakai Plant.

2009

・Completed an acid anhydride production facility at Sakai Plant and built a system for their production at both an Eastern and Western base.

・Changed the name of Cognis Rika Sdn. Bhd. to Emery Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd.

2010

・Acquired Nitto Kasei Kogyo K.K.. (A producer and seller of stabilizers for metallic soap and polyvinyl chloride).

・Established NJC Korea Co., Ltd. in Korea for the sale of chemical products.

・SSold shares for SK NJC Co., Ltd. (Korea) to SK Chemicals Co., Ltd. and dissolved the joint venture.

・Merged Albess Co., Ltd., and Nikko Co., Ltd., with Albess Co. Ltd., as the surviving company.

2011

・Awarded the 60th Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of low-viscosity ester and low-viscosity ester-derived lubricant oils for hydrodynamic bearings.

2012

・Merged Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd. and Chiba Fatty Acid Co., Ltd. with Nissin Chemical Co., Ltd. as the surviving company.

2013

・The 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (RIKACID-CHDA) facility was completed at the Tokushima Plant.

・Awarded the 63rd Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of a new amino acid-type amphoteric surfactant (ENGEPON ASP Series).

・Moved from First Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange to First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

2014

・Introduced a business division system.

・Changed company name of RiKA International Ltd. to NJC Europe Ltd.

・Changed company name of RiKAmerica Inc. to NJC America Inc.

・Withdrew from the benzene derivative business.

2016

・Transitioned to a company with Audit and Supervisory Committee Members.

・Changed company name of Grandee Biotechnologies Sdn. Bhd. to Nice Rika Biotechnologies Sdn. Bhd.

2017

・Awarded the 67th Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of a cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride-type hardener allowing for thin film curing of epoxy resin.

2018

・Awarded the 68th Industrial Technology Award by Osaka Industrial Research Association for the development of 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid (RIKACID TCR-100).

Company

  • President's Message

  • Management Philosophy and Code of Conduct

  • Compliance

  • Company Profile

  • Organization Chart

  • Directors

  • History

  • Locations

  • Group Companies

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