Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd. is a global chemical producer with operations across Asia, China, Europe, and the United States. The company specializes in the development and sale of diverse chemical products, including performance coatings, materials for paper production, resins essential for printing inks and adhesives, and advanced electronic component materials. For the papermaking industry, Arakawa provides a comprehensive suite of chemicals such as water-repellents, sizing agents, surface enhancers, and strengthening agents, which are vital for manufacturing various paper products like books, newspapers, tissues, and corrugated cardboard. Their portfolio also encompasses a wide array of coating solutions and adhesive compounds. This includes various printing inks for offset, book/magazine gravure, and food-package gravure applications; tackifiers for adhesives and tapes; release agents for specialty papers; and polymerization emulsifiers critical for synthetic rubber manufacturing. They also produce ester gums designed to improve chewing sensations and a range of resins that serve as foundational raw materials for paints and film coatings. Notable branded offerings include ARKON hydrogenated petroleum resins and PINECRYSTAL colorless rosin derivatives. Furthermore, Arakawa delivers a comprehensive selection of electronic materials, spanning numerous resin types such as rosin-modified phenolic, polyurethane, alkyd, polyester, modified epoxy, and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins, alongside rosin ester products, cleaning systems, and associated peripherals. The company also innovates with photo-curing polymers, organic-inorganic hybrid resins, and hybrid polyimide films. Founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1876, the company was initially known as Arakawa Forest Chemical Industries, Ltd. before officially changing its name to Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd. in April 1977.