Tanaka Chemical Corporation
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 4080
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Category Detail
- Manufacturing Machinery & Electrical Equipment
- Prefecture
- Fukui Prefecture
- Establishment Year
- December 1957
- Listing Year
- February 2000
- Official Website
- https://www.tanaka-chem.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Nippon Kodoshi Corporation, Central Glass, Kanto Denka Kogyo, Taoaka Chem, Sugai, Mitsui Mining & Smelting, Double Scope, GS Yuasa Corporation, Furukawa Battery, FDK, Matsuya R&D
Overview
Tanaka Chemical Corporation is an industry-leading company founded in 1957 with strengths in manufacturing cathode materials for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries.
Current Situation
Tanaka Chemical Corporation achieved standalone sales of approximately 57.6 billion yen and net profit of approximately 1.3 billion yen for the fiscal year ended March 2023, building a stable business foundation within the industry. Its core business is the manufacturing and sales of cathode materials for secondary batteries, demonstrating high competitiveness in the market for residential and automotive battery materials. The company focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies, acquiring patents for lithium composite oxides and next-generation materials, and driving innovation. To reduce environmental impact, it maintains ISO 14001 certification and engages in factory greening and enhancement of wastewater treatment facilities. As a consolidated subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical, it ensures financial stability through capital support, positioning the expansion of the EV market as a key growth driver in the medium to long term. In recent years, it has continued investments in expanding production facilities and strengthening its global supply chain. Moving forward, it aims to expand market share through R&D and marketing of high-efficiency cathode materials.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Upon its founding in 1957, it started with the manufacture of Maglite.
- Major supplier of lithium-ion battery cathode materials in Japan.
- High management stability as a consolidated subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical.
- Production bases consolidated in the Fukui Coastal Industrial Zone.
- Pioneering manufacturer of materials for alkaline manganese dry batteries.
- Successfully co-developed next-generation iron manganese cathode materials.
- Early adopter of environmental management ISO 14001.
- History intertwined with the growth of Japan's battery industry.
- Received awards from the Japan Greening Center for factory greening.
- Experienced business transitions including announcement of no annual dividend.
- Focused on facility strengthening through multiple factory expansions and relocations.
- Domestic top-class quality control systems at manufacturing sites.
- Holds numerous patents for secondary battery materials domestically and internationally.
- Conducts community contribution activities as a regionally rooted company.
- Contributes to the industry through technology sharing for lithium-ion battery materials.
Hidden Connections
- Strengthened technology and capital through capital alliance with Sumitomo Chemical.
- Proprietary precursor manufacturing technology attracting attention from overseas battery manufacturers.
- Actively participates in environmental protection activities in Fukui Prefecture, emphasizing regional ties.
- Selected as a constituent stock in the Tokyo Stock Exchange's J-Stock Index.
- Received high ratings in environmental assessment by the Development Bank of Japan.
- Bases in Osaka and Tokyo provide access to Asian markets.
- Collaborates with NEC and Sekisui Chemical on joint development of next-generation battery materials.
- Recognized as a core company in technology within Japan's battery materials industry.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Expansion of demand for secondary batteries for electric vehicles (EVs)
- Rising market needs for energy-saving and environmentally friendly products
- Ongoing development of high-performance cathode materials and precursor technologies
- Strengthened collaboration within the Sumitomo Chemical Group
- Global expansion centered on Asian markets
- Increased demand for storage batteries due to spread of renewable energy
- Increased investments in new materials and technologies
- Development of sustainable manufacturing processes
- Promotion of innovation through industry-academia-government collaboration
- Diversification of raw material procurement
Strategic Goals
- Achieve 20% share in global cathode materials market
- Contribute to environment with 30% reduction in CO2 emissions
- Mass production of new materials for lithium-ion batteries
- Build global manufacturing and supply systems
- Promote sustainable resource utilization
- Technological innovation through increased R&D spending
- Establish reliable supply chain
- Strengthen EV-related market sales by 50%
- Strengthen revenue base through product diversification
- Enhance image and active contributions to local communities
Business Segments
Secondary Battery Materials Supply
- Overview
- Stably supplies high-quality materials to battery-related companies domestically and internationally, contributing to product performance improvements.
- Competitiveness
- Technological strength enabling integrated production from material development to manufacturing
- Customers
-
- Battery manufacturers
- Automotive manufacturers
- Electronics manufacturers
- Industrial machinery manufacturers
- Energy companies
- Renewable energy operators
- Aerospace industry
- Precision equipment manufacturers
- Chemical distributors
- Overseas battery manufacturers
- Products
-
- Lithium-ion cathode materials
- Ternary cathode materials
- Iron manganese cathode materials
- High-density nickel hydroxide
- Precursor manufacturing materials
- Catalyst raw materials
- High-purity metal oxides
- Dry battery materials
- Electrolyte additives
- Powder materials
Catalyst Raw Materials Sales
- Overview
- Supplies high-performance catalyst materials suited to various industrial fields, supporting product performance enhancements.
- Competitiveness
- Advanced purity control and customer specification responsiveness
- Customers
-
- Chemical product manufacturers
- Fuel cell manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Environmental companies
- Industrial catalyst manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Precision chemical manufacturers
- Electronic materials manufacturers
- Specialty chemical trading companies
- Renewable energy companies
- Products
-
- Manganese-based catalyst raw materials
- Nickel-based catalysts
- Cobalt-based catalysts
- Rare element catalyst materials
- High-activity catalyst products
- Environmentally friendly catalysts
- Industrial catalyst materials
- Fuel cell materials
- Inorganic catalyst powders
- Custom catalyst formulations
Inorganic Chemical Products Manufacturing and Sales
- Overview
- Provides high-quality inorganic chemicals essential to manufacturing processes across diverse industries.
- Competitiveness
- Long years of manufacturing expertise and quality assurance systems
- Customers
-
- Electronic component manufacturers
- Machinery manufacturers
- Chemical manufacturers
- Paint manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Construction materials manufacturers
- Environmental equipment manufacturers
- Materials testing research institutions
- Trading companies
- Overseas clients
- Products
-
- Manganese carbonate
- Nickel hydroxide
- Manganese oxide
- Nickel salts
- Industrial inorganic powders
- High-function additives
- Eco-friendly chemicals
- Special oxides
- Heat-resistant materials
- Technical consulting
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- High technological capabilities and manufacturing expertise
- Thorough quality control
- Financial stability supported by Sumitomo Chemical
- Efficiency improvements from consolidated domestic production sites
- Robust research and development organization
- Advanced environmental initiatives
- Technological superiority through patent holdings
- Extensive customer network
- Risk diversification through product diversity
- Manufacturing experience in both materials and catalysts
- Building long-term trusted relationships
- Stable supply of high-quality materials
- Product lineup aligned with market growth
- Recognition in domestic and international markets
- Brand value enhanced by environmental certifications
Competitive Advantages
- Strengthened funding through Sumitomo Chemical's capital participation
- Specialized material development expertise
- Cost competitiveness from production efficiency improvements
- Market leadership via early development of next-generation cathode materials
- Leading domestic position in lithium-ion battery materials
- Product design technology emphasizing safety
- Proprietary precursor manufacturing technology
- Thorough quality maintenance and management at consolidated domestic factories
- Supply system secured for multiple customer segments
- Speed in developing environmentally friendly products
- Diversification strategy in catalyst materials
- Building regional closeness and long-term customer relationships
- Production capacity enhancement through regular equipment investments
- Ongoing development of high-value-added materials
- R&D capabilities responsive to market needs
Threats
- Changes in the pace of technological innovation in the secondary battery market
- Rise of overseas competitors
- Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
- Cost increases from stricter environmental regulations
- Price fluctuations in imports/exports due to exchange rate changes
- Fluctuations in market demand for battery products
- Competition in developing new materials and alternative technologies
- Rising domestic production costs
- Supply chain uncertainties
- Risk of patent infringement disputes
- Trade disruptions due to geopolitical risks
- Changes in customer companies' business strategies
Innovations
2023: Development of High-Capacity Iron Manganese Cathode Materials
- Overview
- Jointly developed next-generation cathode materials achieving 70% higher battery capacity than conventional products.
- Impact
- Contributes to expansion in automotive applications by improving battery performance
2022: Acquisition of U.S. Patent for Precursor Manufacturing Technology
- Overview
- Obtained a U.S. patent for precursor technology related to lithium composite oxides.
- Impact
- Successfully secured technological exclusivity in international markets
2021: Enhancement of Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure for Manufacturing Facilities
- Overview
- Significantly expanded wastewater treatment facilities associated with production of lithium-ion battery products.
- Impact
- Contributes to reduced environmental impact and improved manufacturing efficiency
2020: Commencement of Operations for Expanded Main Raw Material Dissolution Equipment
- Overview
- Increased production capacity in Fukui City to meet growing demand.
- Impact
- Achieved improved supply stability and production efficiency
Sustainability
- ISO 14001 environmental management system certification
- Improvement of local environment through factory greening
- Reduction of environmental impact through modernization of wastewater treatment facilities
- Promotion of waste reduction and energy conservation
- Strict compliance with environmental laws and regulations
- Promotion of sustainable resource utilization
- Efforts to reduce industrial waste
- Environmental protection through collaboration with local communities
- Exploration of renewable energy utilization
- Promotion of environmentally considerate product development
- Employee education to raise environmental awareness
- Verification of suppliers' environmental standards compliance