History
History
From the founding of 21st Century Trading Co., Ltd., the predecessor of HighChem, in 1993 to the present.
We would like to introduce the history of HighChem.
1993 - 1999
Founding period
During HighChem Corporation's founding period, Japan's chemical industry was in a time of transformation, facing increasing demands for cost reduction and stricter environmental regulations, particularly seeking opportunities in China. Recognizing this need as a business opportunity, President Taka Ushio established HighChem in Japan, creating a one-of-a-kind entity that would serve as the bridge between Japan and China in the chemical industry.
21st Century Trading Co., Ltd. was founded.
Founded "21st Century Trading Co., Ltd." as a consulting company providing information on the chemical industry in China.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's choline chloride plant was relocated to China
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's methanol plant was relocated to Inner Mongolia
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's 260,000 ton/year methanol plant in Niigata was disassembled and cured over a six-month period and then relocated to Inner Mongolia.
HighChem Company Limited was established.
With the successful export of products to China and the relocation of the plant, HighChem Company Limited was established, and the company began its journey as a trading company specializing in Chemicals between Japan and China.
2000 - 2008
Growth period
Developing business centered on OEM contract manufacturing in China
There was a mountain of challenges, including cultural differences between Japan and China, skill gaps in Chinese factories, and differing perceptions of quality between the two countries. Through continuous technical guidance and detailed support to Chinese factories, we successfully transformed each business venture into concrete results, steadily increasing our OEM contract orders.
Participated in the Chinese fine chemical inspection team
In response to the increasing number of Japanese companies considering expansion into China, we participated as part of a China fine chemical inspection delegation organized by Kagaku Kogyo Nippo-sha (Chemical Industry Daily News). President Ushio's participation in the inspection delegation created valuable relationships between Japanese and Chinese companies that continue to flourish today.
Established a local subsidiary in Shanghai
HighChem 's first Chinese base was established in Shanghai. We established a system to collect information in China, including investigating OEM manufacturing bases.
Established a local subsidiary in Chongqing
Established a local subsidiary in Tianjin
Established a local subsidiary in Guangzhou
2009 - 2013
Expansion phase
Expanding business fields in Trading Business
Launch of SEG® licensing business
Following the Lehman Shock in 2008, we decided to diversify our business. In Trading Business, we started handling bulk chemicals, food additives, and pharmaceutical ingredients. It was also during this period that we began shipping DMC, an electrolyte solvent, to Europe and the US, paving the way for globalization.
We also launched a licensing business for SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene glycol) technology based on C1 Chemicals, established our own technology for producing ethylene glycol from synthetic gas and expanded the business throughout China.
Expanding business fields
Started handling basic Chemicals, food additives, and electronic materials
Launched a Licensing Business for SEG® technology and made full-scale entry into C1 Chemical Business
Successfully commercialized the SEG® process
Successful trial run of pilot plant (Photo: 1,500 ton/year pilot plant)
Completed construction of our own catalyst factory in Nantong
Completion ceremony for Nantong catalyst plant
Opened an office in Zhengzhou
Obtained pharmaceutical sales, a manufacturing license and started handling pharmaceutical ingredients.
Shipment of electrolyte solvent DMC to Europe and the US begins
First plant using SEG® technology begins operation
Xinjiang Tianye's first-phase SEG® plant in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China began operation. It was highly praised as the world's first plant to produce high-purity ethylene glycol from coal-derived synthesis gas.
Established a local subsidiary in Atlanta, USA
Established "HighChem Tokyo Research Center" in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture
First shipment of "SEG® catalyst"
First shipment of SEG catalyst
2014 - 2019
Development period
Expansion of SEG® technology Licensing Business
In the SEG® Licensing Business, this was the peak period for the conclusion of license agreements. In particular, the SEG® license concluded in Yulin in 2018 for an annual production of 1.8 million tons was one of the largest in the world and marked the start of business investment. By 2024, we will have concluded 23 license agreements totaling approximately 10 million tons per year.
Established an office in Xi'an
Established an office in Qingdao
Established Nantong Research Center adjacent to Nantong Factory.
Trading Business and business restructuring in Tokyo
Clarifyied the direction to "Chemicals, Electronics, and Life science"
License agreement signed for SEG® in Yulin City for world's largest annual production capacity of 1.8 million tons
Ceremony to sign license agreement for 1.8 million ton/year SEG® plant
Acquired ceramics business from Yuken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Joined the Japan Business Federation
2020 -
A period of change and progress
As a "bridge" to a new era
～We are the BRIDGE～
HighChem took the global trend toward a low-carbon society as a business opportunity and established a new Sustainability & Innovation Div. In addition, in its new mid-term business plan starting in 2023, HighChem began exploring new business possibilities in the fields of "Energy, batteries, and Lifestyle" based on its C1 chemical technology, which it has been working on up until now.
HighChem's participation in the "Development of paraxylene production using CO2 as raw material" project was selected as a NEDO project.
Sustainability & Innovation Div. established
HighChem Tokyo Research Center completed in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture as our own facility.
Completion ceremony for HighChem Tokyo Research Center
Northern Headquarters established in Yulin City
Northern Headquarters Opening Ceremony
Yulin started up a 500,000 ton/year DMC production project
Launching ceremony of the 500,000 tons/year DMC project
