ASAHI KASEI CORP.

History

Year	Detail
1922	ASAHI KASEI CORP. was founded as Asahi Fabric Co. Ltd. In 1922.
1923	Japan Nitrogenous Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. begins manufacturing synthetic ammonia in Nobeoka.
1924	Asahi Fabric Co. Ltd. begins manufacturing viscose rayon.
1931	Nobeoka Ammonia Fiber Co. Ltd. established, producing ammonia, nitric acid, and other chemicals.
1933	Nobeoka Ammonia Fiber acquires Japan Bemberg Fiber Co. Ltd. (producing Bemberg cupro fiber) and Asahi Fabric Co. Ltd. (producing viscose rayon), forming Asahi Bemberg Fiber Co. Ltd.
1935	Production of monosodium glutamate begins; launch of food product business.
1943	Asahi Bemberg Fiber acquires Japan Nitrogenous Explosives Co. Ltd., forming Japan Nitrogenous Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
1946	Name changed to Asahi Chemical Industry Co. Ltd.
1949	Company shares listed on the First Section of the Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya stock exchanges.
1952	Operation at Kawasaki Works begins with establishment of Asahi-Dow Co. Ltd. as a petrochemical joint venture with the Dow Chemical Company.
1957	Asahi-Dow begins production of polystyrene, entering the plastics business.
1959	Synthetic fiber operations begin with production of Cashmilon acrylic staple fiber in Fuji.
1960	Fabricated plastic product operations begin with introduction of Saran Wrap cling film to the Japanese market and New York Office opened.
1967	Construction materials operations begin with production of Hebel autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels.
1969	Petrochemical operations at Mizushima Works begin with establishment of Sanyo Petrochemical Co. Ltd.
1971	Start-up of glass fabric business with establishment of Asahi-Schwebel Co. Ltd.
1972	Ethylene plant begins operation at Sanyo Ethylene Co. Ltd. And Housing operations begin with launch of Hebel Haus steel-frame homes and establishment of Asahi Kasei Homes Corp.
1974	Asahi Medical Co. Ltd. (now Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd.) established; medical device operations begin with start of artificial kidney production.
1976	Textile operations reinforced with establishment of Asahi Kasei Textile Co. Ltd. And established Asahi Kasei Construction Materials Corp.
1978	Sunfural oral anticancer agent launched; start of pharmaceutical business.
1980	Hall element production begins with establishment of Miyazaki Electronics Co., Ltd. (now Asahi Kasei Electronics Co., Ltd.).
1982	Asahi-Dow merges with Asahi Chemical, synthetic resin operations are reinforced.
1983	Semiconductor operations begin with establishment of Asahi Microsystems Co. Ltd. (now Asahi Kasei Microsystems Co., Ltd.)
1992	Pharmaceuticals and liquors maker Toyo Jozo Co. Ltd. merges with Asahi Chemical.
1994	Asahi Kasei Textile merges with Asahi Chemical.
2000	Performance resin compounding facilities in Europe and U.S. acquired from Nippon Steel Chemical Co. Ltd.
2001	Company name changed from Asahi Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. to Asahi Kasei Corp.
2002	Shochu and low-alcohol beverage operations divested to Asahi Breweries Ltd., and The Nikka Whiskey Distilling Co. Ltd.
2007	Asahi Kasei Life & Living merges with Asahi Kasei Chemicals.
2008	Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Co. Ltd. and Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd. begin operation as core operating companies.
2009	Asahi Kasei E-materials Corp. begins operation as a core operating company; Asahi Kasei EMD name changed to Asahi Kasei Microdevices.
2012	Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical is merged into Asahi Kasei Medical & Acquisition of ZOLL Medical Corporation of the U.S.
2015	Acquisition of Polypore International LP of the U.S.
2016	Transformation to an operating holding company configuration through merger of Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp., Asahi Kasei Fibers Corp., and Asahi Kasei E-materials Corp. into Asahi Kasei Corp.
2018	Acquisition of Sage Automotive Interiors Inc. which develops and manufactures innovative automotive bodycloth and headliners preferred by automotive manufacturers around the world.