1947
The company was established Sekisui Sangyo Co., Ltd., in order to run a general plastic business.
1948
The company name changed to Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., which started the plastic automatic injection molding business.
1950
Developed Japan's first cellophane tape, which gained a favorable reputation
1952
Began full-scale production of "Eslon Pipe," a hard PVC pipe that greatly contributed to infrastructural developments such as water supply/drainage, power supply and gas distribution systems
1953
Listed on the Osaka Stock Exchange
1954
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
1955
Succeeded in molding injection of PVC pipe fittings
1956
Developed Japan's first plastic rain gutters ("Eslon Rain Gutters")
1959
Opened a New York office
1962
Established Sekisui Chemical Deutschland: an export, import and sales company for the European market
1969
Began production of plastic bathtubs
For the first time, Sekisui entered an overseas market by establishing a plant in the United States.
Sekisui Plastics Corporation (SPC) was opened in Pennsylvania to manufacture expandable polystyrene paper. SPC was the very first plant to be set up in the U.S. by a Japanese manufacturer. In the same year, Sekisui Malaysia Co., Ltd., was established in Singapore to manufacture of pipes to supply water to tin mines. Sekisui’s overseas expansion continued until the mid-1970s.
Sekisui Singapore (PTE), Ltd., formerly Sekisui Malaysia Co., Ltd.
Sekisui Plastics Corporation (Pennsylvania)
1970
Developed Japan's first modular house ("Heim M1") and cumulatively sold more than 400,000 houses.
Developed polyethylene products. The company's plastic garbage bin products of "Poly-Pail" and "Poly-Bucket" greatly contributed to beautification of towns in Japan.
Sekisui's "Softlon," a radiation cross-linked foamed polyolefin product, became widely used in IT, automotive and building industries.
Exported the company's technology to the U.S. and Europe, expanded production and sales networks through joint management with local companies and actively promoted overseas operations.
Received the Deming Prize, the highest honor for outstanding management (including production, sales and service) for the company's active promotion of TQC activities.
1973
Alveo B.V. (currently Sekisui Alveo B.V.) was established in Holland for the manufacture and sale of Softlon. Sekisui currently boasts 13 manufacturing bases across the globe with more than 40 sales offices.
1974
The oil shock forced companies to review the concepts of mass production and large-scale consumer spending, which led to the advancement of energy conservation and heightened functionality in the field of piping machinery and materials. These advances heralded the development of a wide range of products using new materials and technologies. One of the products to emerge from these developments was the wide-diameter Reinforced Compound Plastic pipe (RCP). At the same time, Fiber-reinforced Foamed Urethane (FFU) was developed in the field of functional materials. Sekisui is growing on a global scale with the current RCP, also manufactured by XINJIANG YONGCHANG-SEKISUI COMPOSITES CO., LTD., in China, and FFU is now used for railroad sleepers throughout the world.
RCP construction in process
FFU is used for deodorizing lids in sewage processing facilities.
1987
Developed and began sales of the "Two-U Home," a wooden-structured modular house constructed with the company's unit technology and 2x4 technology
The company's consolidated net sales greatly increased during the 1980s, from 335.5 billion yen (1980) to 808.6 billion yen (1990).
1996
Acquired ISO 9000 series quality system certification.
The company's capital exceeded 100 billion yen.
Started the company's first overseas factory for "S-LEC FILM" (an interlayer film) in the Netherlands.
As part of the company's social action program, Sekisui began providing support for the nature conservation project of Nippon Keidanren.
Introduced the environmental management system and acquired an ISO 14001 certification.
1997
50th anniversary of the company's founding.
Construction of expandable polyolefin factory in Thailand completed.
Sekisui industry in Chugoku region.
Two-U Home factory in Kuban completed.
1999
S-LEC B.V. interlayer film factory completed in Europe.
2000
Interlayer film manufacturing and sales company established in Thailand
2001
Sekisui launched a three-company system: an internal company system, consisting of a housing company; an urban infrastructure and environmental products company; and a high-performance plastics company.
2002
Sekisui began local production and sales in China of many types of high-performance plastic products for infrastructure development, medical applications and automotive uses, such as water supply and drainage pipes, vacuum blood-collecting tubes and interlayer films.
WUXI SSS-DIAMOND PLASTICS CO., LTD., a joint company with Mitsubishi Plastics, opened in China to manufacture of polyethylene EF couplers.
Sekisui (Qingdao) Plastics Co., Ltd., a joint water-supply pipe materials venture was established in China.
Business rights for expandable polyolefin manufacture in China were acquired and SHANGHAI SEKISUI HOLY PLASTICS CO., LTD., was established.
Packaging tape company SEKISUI HIGH PERFORMANCE PACKAGING (LANGFANG) CO., LTD., opened in China.
2003
Sekisui adopted a new catch phrase: "Achieving the Cutting-edge – Sekisui Chemical, Full of Surprises."
Global promotion of the noise-insulating interlayer films operations began in Europe with the completion of a newly built raw resin factory.
Expandable polyolefin manufacturer Youngbo Chemical Co., Ltd., in Korea joined the Sekisui Group.
Interlayer film manufacturing company SEKISUI S-LEC (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., opened in Suzhou, China.
BEIJING SEKISUI TRANK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., established for the manufacture and sale of vacuum blood-collecting tubes in China.
Sales companies in China integrated, and Sekisui Heim and Sekusui Fami-S China was established.
2004
Sekisui began production and sales of vacuum blood-collecting tubes in China.
2005
Sekisui began full-scale overseas operations for pipeline rehabilitation works and established a joint venture in South Korea. Also, Sekisui started accepting orders for rehabilitation works for sewage pipes in the United States.
Sekisui established joint ventures for the adhesive business with H.B. Fuller Company (USA).
China business vision, "CHINA500," established.
XINJIANG YONGCHANG-SEKISUI COMPOSITES CO., LTD., opened in China for the manufacture and sale of reinforced plastic pipes.
Sekisui Refresh Co., Ltd., opened in Korea for the manufacture and sale of pipeline renewal materials.
SEKISUI SPR AMERICAS, LLC, opened in Atlanta, Georgia.
2006
Start of GS21 Go! Frontier, The Sekisui Chemical Group Midterm Management Vision 2006–2008
Sekisui Sanideng Co., Ltd., was established in Taiwan for the manufacture and sale of plastic valves and pipes.
Commencement of manufacture of the world's first non-centrifugal blood collection tubes
2007
The year 2007 marked the 60th anniversary of the company's founding.
Two events from the "60th Anniversary Program" held:
"Global Children's Eco Summit"
"Manufacturing Based on Learning from Nature – Junior Forum 2007"
The company was awarded the Medal for Chinese Red Cross Humanitarian Services for donating 500,000 plastic vacuum blood-collecting tubes (sterilized plastic vacuum blood-collecting tubes) to the China Bone Marrow Databank, Red Cross Society of China.
2008
Chevalier Pipe Technologies GmbH was acquired, expanding the pipeline rehabilitation business.
The establishment of joint venture LLC SUMI-LON led to the launch of glass-fiber reinforced plastic pipes in the Russian market.
The Shiga Minakuchi and China plants added new production lines for interlayer film for automobiles.
Sekisui Medical launched a pharmacokinetics contract services business in the U.S. markets through acquisition of XenoTech.
SEKISUI CPT ASIA was established in Singapore as a sales company for the pipeline rehabilitation business.
New production lines for raw materials of interlayer film for laminated glass were added in the Netherlands.
2009
Sekisui was selected as one of the Global 100 “Most Sustainable Corporations in the World” (the Global 100).
The Sekisui Chemical Group Vision was established.
The New Midterm Management Vision GS21-SHINKA! was formed.
An interlayer film raw materials business was acquired from a U.S. corporation.
Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America, LLC, and Sekisui Specialty Chemicals Europe, S.L. were established.
First full-scale overseas advancement of Sekisui Heim Unit House Business – Housing.
A manufacturing and distribution joint venture was established in Thailand.
SEKISUI-SCG INDUSTRY CO., LTD., and SCG-SEKISUI SALES CO., LTD. were established.
"SHIN-Parfait" (housing equipped with a photovoltaic power generation system) was released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the housing company.
Acquisition of European manufacturer of expandable polyolefin.
The establishment of joint venture LIBYA ESLON (SEKISUI) led to the launch of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic pipes in the Libyan market.
2010
The Taga No. 2 plant (K-2 line), which is the main production base for products in the IT field, was developed.
Two subsidiaries related to medical business in China merged to establish SEKISUI MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY (CHINA), LTD.
The "BR series" products rolled out nationwide to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the housing business.
The "Two-U Home JX" series was released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the housing business.
The "House where Children Grow Up Wisely" – "Kageyama′s Model 2010" was released.
The "New Heim bj" was released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the housing business.
The "Automated SPR Method," a newly developed construction method for pipeline renewals, was developed.
SEKISUI MEDICAL CO., LTD., expands its medical instrument business.
Sekisui Chemical and NEC form a joint partnership in the field of Smart House.
From "environment, safety and comfort" to "sustainable housing": Steel-framed unit housing "Shin-DOMANI" is launched.
Sekisui Chemical hosts "Innovations Inspired by Nature Forum in Nagoya."
Sekisui Heim launches one-story house "Comfortable House (Raku no Ie)."
2011
Sekisui Heim launches the next generation house SMARTHEIM.
Sekisui is endorsed as a CO2 emission reduction business for houses with solar power generation systems.
Sekisui acquires performance film manufacturer Suzutora Corporation and changes the company name to SEKISUI NANO COAT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
The three-floor rental accommodation Letoit FⅢ Patio is launched.
Swing Corporation becomes a partner in the water business.
The New Crescasa model is launched nationwide to commemorate building more than 100,000 houses with built-in solar-power-generation systems.
Production and sales in the house construction business are integrated in the Tokyo, Kinki and Chubu areas.
A joint venture company is established in India for a vehicle components molding business.
The 2nd Stage Rolling Plan for the Midterm Management Plan GS21-SHINKA! is developed.
SEVOL, a new brand in the PVOH resin business, is developed.