Sun-A Kaken
Basic Information
- Stock Code
- 4234
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Category Detail
- Industrial Materials
- Prefecture
- Tokyo
- Establishment Year
- September 1942
- Listing Year
- April 2000
- Official Website
- http://www.sun-a-kaken.co.jp/
- TSE Information
- TSE Information
- Yahoo! Finance
- Yahoo! Finance
- Other Companies
- Hiyoshi San, Dainick, Fujix, Showa Pax, Kureha, Taisei Lamick Group, Toami, Maruto Sangyo, Toin, JSP, Efpiko, Shoei Corporation
Overview
Sun-A Kaken is a plastic composite processing product manufacturer founded in 1942, specializing in the packaging materials field and has established a solid position within the industry.
Current Situation
Sun-A Kaken achieved consolidated sales of approximately 27.9 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2023, but is undergoing business restructuring amid operating and net losses. Its main packaging materials-related products center on food and pharmaceuticals, and it also produces high-function materials such as protective films for LCD screens. In recent years, it acquired the surface protection film business from Resonac Corporation to strengthen its product lineup. It operates multiple factories domestically and is working on quality control and production efficiency improvements. It is also focusing on sustainability, promoting initiatives to reduce environmental impact. To differentiate from competitors, it is actively engaged in technology development and new business development. Moving forward, it aims to expand its customer base by diversifying and adding higher value to packaging materials. It is formulating management strategies for sustainable growth alongside improvements in its financial structure.
Trivia
Interesting Facts
- Packaging materials specialist manufacturer with over 80 years of history since founding.
- Manufactures packaging materials for a wide range from food to pharmaceuticals and electronic devices.
- Holds top share in Japan for LCD protective film technology.
- Acquired surface protection film business in 2024 for business diversification.
- Proprietary multi-layer lamination technology highly evaluated.
- Pioneer in developing environmentally friendly materials from early on.
- Established multi-site production system in Shizuoka and Nara Prefectures.
- Product development leveraging membrane technology cultivated over many years in the chemical field.
- Major shareholders include Shinsei Paper & Pulp Trading and Showa Pax.
- Strengthened internal controls as a company with a board of auditors.
Hidden Connections
- Complex relationship with Showa Pax, which has deep capital ties, as both competitor and trading partner.
- Engages in both competition and collaboration with Hiyoshi Sangyo and Toami in the packaging materials industry.
- The 2024 acquisition of the surface protection film business suggests strategic collaboration with Resonac.
- Pharmaceutical packaging material technology meets some of Japan's highest quality control standards.
- Head office in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, but manufacturing depends on local factories in Shizuoka and Nara.
- Strengthening plastic-related business by making Tobu Resin Kogyo a 100% subsidiary.
- Specializes in packaging and packing materials within Nikkei's industrial materials category, holding strengths.
- High likelihood of patents on multi-layer film printing and processing technology.
Future Outlook
Growth Drivers
- Increasing demand for advanced and multifunctional packaging materials
- Expansion of demand for eco-packaging development due to stricter environmental regulations
- Demand for surface protection films accompanying higher performance of electronic devices
- Trend toward advanced packaging functions in pharmaceuticals
- Expansion of packaging market due to growth in domestic and international food industries
- Business expansion through new customer development and cross-industry collaborations
- Improved production efficiency through technological innovation
- Strengthening sales and development through DX utilization
- Demand for environmental products due to rising global environmental awareness
- Strengthening business portfolio through investments and M&A
Strategic Goals
- Expand packaging materials sales to approximately 40 billion yen
- Achieve over 70% sales ratio for environmentally friendly products
- Expand market share in surface protection film business
- Achieve carbon neutrality in production processes
- Establish latest production facilities at 6 sites domestically and internationally
- Double the number of patents through technology strengthening
- Expand revenue base through business development in diverse industries
- Advanced utilization of digital technology and business efficiency
- Achieve 30% overseas sales ratio through global expansion
- Build sustainable corporate model in collaboration with local communities
Business Segments
Packaging Materials Manufacturing
- Overview
- Manufactures and supplies high-quality packaging materials for a wide range of industries.
- Competitiveness
- Technology development capabilities and diverse product lineup are strengths.
- Customers
-
- Food manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical manufacturers
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Logistics companies
- Packaging materials distributors
- Industrial equipment manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Retail chains
- Food processors
- Beverage manufacturers
- Daily goods manufacturers
- Printers
- Chemical industry manufacturers
- Agriculture-related companies
- Products
-
- Plastic films for packaging
- Protective films
- Multi-layer laminated films
- Barrier films
- Antibacterial packaging materials
- Plastic bags
- Vacuum packaging materials
- Printed packaging films
- Heat-resistant films
- Environmentally friendly packaging materials
- Special functional films
- Pharmaceutical packaging materials
- Industrial protective films
- Electronic component protectors
- Surface protection films
Surface Protection Film Business
- Overview
- Provides functional films utilizing advanced surface protection technology to a wide range of industries.
- Competitiveness
- Differentiates through advanced coating technology and quality control systems.
- Customers
-
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Industrial machinery manufacturers
- Precision equipment manufacturers
- Smartphone manufacturers
- OA equipment manufacturers
- Optical equipment manufacturers
- Disaster prevention equipment manufacturers
- Medical equipment manufacturers
- Building materials manufacturers
- Home appliance manufacturers
- Communications equipment manufacturers
- Products
-
- LCD screen protective films
- Hardness-enhancing films
- Reflection-suppressing protective materials
- Antibacterial protective films
- Anti-static films
- Optical adjustment films
- Scratch-resistant coating materials
- Multi-layer protective films
- Surface-hardening films
- Anti-fouling coating films
Industrial Plastic Container Manufacturing
- Overview
- Provides safe and multifunctional plastic containers for food and pharmaceuticals.
- Competitiveness
- Excels in diverse material selection and standard compliance.
- Customers
-
- Food processing companies
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Chemical manufacturers
- Logistics companies
- Food wholesalers
- Beverage manufacturers
- Daily goods manufacturers
- Agriculture-related companies
- Food service industry
- Retail chains
- Products
-
- Foamed plastic containers
- Heat-resistant containers
- Antibacterial containers
- Recyclable plastic containers
- Medical containers
- Food packaging containers
- Industrial containers
- Disposable containers
- Transparent plastic containers
- Plastic materials for containers
Environmentally Friendly Product Development
- Overview
- Develops packaging materials using biomass and recycled materials with environmental considerations.
- Competitiveness
- Mass-produced industry's first composite material eco-package.
- Customers
-
- Environmentally conscious companies
- Food manufacturers
- Beverage manufacturers
- Retailers
- Local governments
- Recycling businesses
- Products
-
- Biodegradable films
- Recycled material packaging
- Resource-saving packaging materials
- Reusable packaging materials
R&D and Technical Services
- Overview
- Provides technical services to support material performance improvements and practical application of new technologies.
- Competitiveness
- Support system backed by extensive track record and specialized technical team.
- Customers
-
- Chemical manufacturers
- Packaging materials companies
- Electronic device manufacturers
- Automotive parts manufacturers
- Research institutions
- Products
-
- Material improvement support
- Surface treatment technology development
- Functional film testing
- Product design consulting
Competitive Advantage
Strengths
- Wide lineup of packaging material products
- High-function protective film technology
- Long history and stable transaction base
- Development capabilities for environmentally friendly products
- Stable supply system with multiple factories
- Comprehensive technology development capabilities
- Reliability in the pharmaceutical field
- Expansion of surface protection film business
- High-quality control system
- Flexibility to accommodate multiple industries
- Advanced compliance with environmental regulations
- Strong customer network
- Rapid product development capabilities
- High technical skills of employees
- Stable financial foundation
Competitive Advantages
- Advanced technology in packaging materials
- Differentiation through proprietary surface treatment technology
- Rich product lineup and customization capabilities
- Strong production system with abundant manufacturing equipment
- Market superiority through advanced development of environmentally friendly products
- High reliability and track record in food and pharmaceutical fields
- Strong customer base and long-term transaction relationships
- Rapid technological innovation and responsiveness to market needs
- Risk diversification through diversification in industrial materials field
- Stable supply through company-wide quality management system
- Management strategy emphasizing sustainability
- Flexibility to meet diverse customer needs
- Active expansion into new business areas
- Balance of mass production technology and small-lot対応
- Existence of advanced R&D facilities
Threats
- Risk of fluctuations in raw material prices
- Intensifying price competition with competitors
- Cost increases due to stricter environmental regulations
- Increase in low-priced imports from overseas
- Possibility of failing to keep up with the speed of technological innovation
- Delays in responding to sudden changes in customer needs
- Impact of natural disasters on production sites
- Labor shortages and talent attrition risks
- Profit impact from exchange rate fluctuations
- Expansion of new entrants
- Demand decline due to changes in industry structure
- Uncertainty in regulations for new technologies
Innovations
2024: Acquisition of Surface Protection Film Business
- Overview
- Acquired the surface protection film business from Resonac Corporation, expanding the product lineup.
- Impact
- Contributes to increased film business sales and strengthened technology
2023: Development of Environmentally Friendly Biomass Film
- Overview
- Commercialized and launched eco-packaging materials using biodegradable materials.
- Impact
- Responds to societal demands for plastic reduction
2022: Advancement of High-Function Multi-Layer Lamination Technology
- Overview
- Established multi-layer technology balancing high barrier properties and strength, achieving quality improvement in food packaging materials.
- Impact
- Contributes to enhanced product competitiveness
2021: New Development of Antibacterial Packaging Materials
- Overview
- Developed packaging materials with antibacterial performance, strengthening food safety.
- Impact
- Improves customer satisfaction
2020: Expansion of Protective Film Business for EMS
- Overview
- Developed highly durable protective films specialized for electronic manufacturing services.
- Impact
- Effects of new customer acquisition and sales growth
Sustainability
- Reducing environmental impact through active adoption of biodegradable materials
- Introduction of advanced wastewater treatment systems at factories
- Promotion of renewable energy use
- Equipment updates aimed at CO2 emission reductions
- In-house education to reduce waste and promote recycling