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Company History

1941 Founder Fumio Kasahara established Kimitsu Chemical Institute, aiming to advance the chemical utilization of seaweed.
1947 Renamed Kimitsu Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
1961 Received the Kanto Area Invention Award from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
Founder Fumio Kasahara was awarded a Doctorate degree in Engineering by Tokyo University for his developments on Alginate.
1969 A Technical Assistance contract established with the Korean Agriculture and Fishing Industry Development Public Corporation and Korean Seaweed Process Co., Ltd.
1973 Fumio Kasahara, PhD awarded “The Medal with Purple Ribbon”.
1983 Fumio Kasahara, PhD was awarded “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette”.
1986 Animals medicines manufacturing license acquired.
1987 Established Industrias Quimicas Kimitsu Chile Ltda., a production and marketing company in Chile.
1988 An alginate manufacturing plant constructed and commenced operation in Chile.
Established Osaka Algin Co., Ltd.
1995 Celebrated the 50 years anniversary, also planned “Secondary Expansion”.
1996 Established Alva, a seaweed cultivator / supplier in Chile.
1999 A new PGA production line constructed in Chile plant.
2000 ISO 9002 certificate achieved.
2001 Renamed KIMICA Corporation on the occasion of its 60 years anniversary.
Established KIMICA America Inc., a marketing subsidiary in North America.
2003 ISO 9001 certificate achieved.
Relocated the head office of Osaka Algin Co., Ltd., from Chuo-ku, Osaka to Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.
2004 Increased corporate capital to JP¥100,000,000.
2005 Equity participation in M2 S.A., a seaweed cultivator / supplier in Chile.
2006 Equity participation in Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group Co., Ltd., one of the largest alginate manufactures in China.
2007 A pharmaceutical manufacturing license acquired.
2010 Relocated the head office to Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
2013 Started Solar photoelectric generation in Chiba Plant, Japan.
Published “Best in the world” by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
2014 FSSC22000 certificate achieved.
Established an API plant in Chiba Plant, Japan.
2015 Renamed KIMICA Chile Ltda to Alginatos Chile S.A. (Alchi).
2016 Awarded 14th Brave business award by the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Subsidiary acquisition Qingdao Bright Moon Marine Sci-Tech Co., Ltd. (current Qingdao KIMICA Bright Moon Marine Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.),concluded joint venture agreement with Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group Co., Ltd.
2017 Relocated Alginatos Chile (Alchi) Santiago office to Antonio Varas.
2018 Established KIMICA Europe GmbH in Germany.
2020 Received JAPAN SDGs Award (SDGs Partnership Award) by the Japanese government.
2021

Received ”TOKYO Telework Award” by the Governor of Tokyo.

President & CEO Fumiyoshi Kasahara received a Doctorate degree in Pharmacy from Takasaki University of Health and Welfare for his developments on Calcium Alginate.

Certified as "Sustainable★Selection 3 Stars".

Received the 30th Food Safety, Security and Environmental Contribution Award.

Received the Grand Prize and Minister of the Environment Award at the 22nd Green Purchasing Award.

Received the Minister of the Environment Award Grand Prize at the 9th Good Life Award.
2022

Established KIMITEX Corporation.

Nominated for the Earthshot Prize.
New R&D Facility opened in Chiba Plant
2023

Relocated the head office to YANMAR Bldg. 5th Floor, 2-1-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku Tokyo

  • 1941
    Founder Fumio Kasahara

  • 1941
    Plant in the 1940s

  • 1961
    Founder Fumio Kasahara received a Doctorate degree in Engineering by Tokyo University

  • 1988
    Chile plant construction staff

  • 1988
    Chile plant

  • 1996
    Alva, a seaweed cultivator

  • 2006
    Signing ceremony with Qingdao Bright Moon Seaweed Group Co., Ltd.

  • 2013
    Published " Best in the world"

  • 2016
    The 14th Brave business award ceremony speech

  • 2016
    Qingdao KIMICA Bright Moon Marine Sci-Tech Co., Ltd.

  • 2020
    Japan SDGs Award ceremony, with Prime Minister Suga

  • 2021
    The 30th Food Safety, Security and Environmental Contribution Award ceremony

  • 2021
    The 22nd Green Purchasing Award ceremony

  • 2021
    The 9th Good Life Award ceremony

  • 2022
    New R&D Facility in Chiba Plant