1922 - 1950s##1922-1950
Growth as a diversified chemical manufacturer
Growing as a modern nation, Japan required technologies to develop its agricultural and industrial chemical sectors. Sufficient supply of daily necessities was crucial to Japan’s transition from post-war recovery to high economic growth.
Annual Revenue
1922
Founding of Asahi Kasei
Asahi Fabric Co., Ltd. Established
1923
Japan Nitrogenous Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. achieved Japan's first commercial ammonia synthesis
1924
Asahi Fabric Co., Ltd. began producing viscose rayon
1931
Formal establishment of Asahi Kasei
Nobeoka Ammonia Fiber Co., Ltd. established, producing
ammonia, nitric acid, and other chemicals
1935
Launch of food product business
Production of monosodium glutamate began
1946
Japan Nitrogenous Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. name changed to Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Annual Revenue
1957
Launch of plastics business
Asahi-Dow began production of polystyrene
1959
Launch of synthetic fiber business
Production of Cashmilon™ acrylic staple fiber began
Establishment of base in North America
New York Office opened
(Asahi Chemical Industry America Inc. established in 1971; currently Asahi Kasei America, Inc.)
1960s - 1970s##1960-1970
Branching into new filelds
In an era of high economic growth, it became necessary to develop public infrastructure for improved residential living and advanced medical technology.
Annual Revenue
1960
Launch of fabricated plastic products business
Saran Wrap™ cling film introduced to the Japanese market
1961
Establishment of base in Southeast Asia
Bangkok Office opened
(Asahi Kasei Asia-Pacific Co., Ltd. established in 2019)
1962
Production of acrylonitrile began
1964
Establishment of base in Europe
Hamburg Office opened
(Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH established in Dusseldorf in 2016)
1966
Establishment of base in Europe
Hamburg Office opened
(Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH established in Dusseldorf in 2016)
1967
Launch of construction materials business
Production of Hebel™ autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) panels began
1968
Launch of petrochemicals business
Sanyo Petrochemical Co., Ltd. established
1971
Launch of electronics business
Asahi-Schwebel Co., Ltd. established
1974
Launch of medical business
Artificial kidney production began
1978
Launch of pharmaceuticals business
Sale of Sunfural™ oral anticancer agent began
1979
Establishment of base in South Asia
Bombay Office opened
(Asahi Kasei India Pvt. Ltd. established in Mumbai in 2012)
1980s - 1990s##1980-1990
Promoting globalization
Cell phones, personal computers, audiovisual equipment, and other technologies gained popularity with the advent of the information age.
Annual Revenue
1980
Miyazaki Electronics Co., Ltd. (currently Asahi Kasei Electronics Co., Ltd.) established, production of Hall elements began
1982
Reinforcement of plastics business
Asahi-Dow merged with Asahi Chemical
1983
Launch of LSI business
Asahi Microsystems Co., Ltd. established
1988
Establishment of base in China
Beijing Office opened
(Asahi Kasei Business Management (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (currently Asahi Kasei (China) Co., Ltd.) established in Shanghai in 2007)
1992
Launch of liquors business, reinforcement of pharmaceuticals business
Toyo Jozo Co., Ltd. merged with Asahi Chemical
2000s - 2010s##2000-2010
Taking on new challenges
Global environmental issues such as global warming and the challenge of aging populations in developed countries became pressing.
Annual Revenue
2001
Company name changed from Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. to Asahi Kasei Corp.
2003
Adoption of holding company–core operating company configuration
2012
Launch of critical care business
ZOLL Medical Corporation of the U.S. acquired
2017
Launch of overseas homes business
Capital alliance with McDonald Jones Homes Pty Ltd of Australia (establishment of Synergos Companies in the U.S. in 2019, launch of NEX Building Group in Australia in 2021)
2018
Sage Automotive Interiors, Inc. of the U.S. acquired
2019
Akira Yoshino, Honorary Fellow of Asahi Kasei Corporation, received Nobel Prize in Chemistry for invention of the lithium-ion battery
2020s##2020
Toward the next hundred years
Changes in the global situation and the rapid advance of technology such as artificial intelligence result in greater uncertainty and volatility in the business environment.
Annual Revenue
2020
Reinforcement of pharmaceuticals business
Veloxis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of the U.S. acquired
2022
Launch of CDMO business
Bionova Scientific, LLC of the U.S. acquired
2022
Centennial of Asahi Kasei's founding
2024
Reinforcement of global specialty pharma platform
Acquisition of Calliditas Therapeutics AB of Sweden
