artience

Basic Information

Stock Code
4634
Industry
Chemicals
Category Detail
Chemicals & Chemical Products
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
January 1907
Listing Year
October 1961
Official Website
https://www.artiencegroup.com/ja/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals, Dainippon Toryo, Nippon Paint Holdings, Kansai Paint, Chugoku Marine Paints, Fujikura Kasei, Natoco, SK Kaken, DIC, Sakata INX, Tokyo Ink, Draft

Overview

Artience is a chemical manufacturer based in Tokyo, founded in 1907, with printing inks and functional polymers as its main businesses. As part of the Toppan Printing group, it boasts high technological capabilities and diverse product offerings in the industry.

Current Situation

Artience recorded consolidated net sales of 322.1 billion yen and net assets of 255.6 billion yen for the fiscal year ended December 2023, maintaining a stable financial base. It has established a strong position in the domestic and international printing-related industries through its main printing ink and functional polymer businesses. The company is actively advancing the development of high-performance materials, expanding environmentally friendly products and high-functionality materials. It is strengthening collaboration with its capital partner Sakata Inks and achieving product differentiation through the introduction of new technologies. Through its business subsidiaries, it operates diverse manufacturing sites and is working to improve production efficiency at multiple domestic factories. Following the 2024 name change, it is advancing brand reconstruction and emphasizing sustainability. In the future, it aims to grow by strengthening overseas expansion of functional materials and developing new applications. It is currently focusing investments on environmentally considerate paints and electronic materials.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The name is derived from the fusion of 'art' and 'science'.
  • Has over 100 years of history in the printing ink field.
  • Changed trade name to current name on January 1, 2024.
  • One of the core companies in the Toppan Printing Group.
  • Operates numerous manufacturing bases domestically and internationally.
  • Founder Kamataro Kobayashi opened a personal shop in 1896.
  • Has capital alliance with Sakata Inks.
  • Early adoption of environmentally friendly ink product development.
  • Diversified management handling high-function materials for multiple industries.
  • Utilizes dedicated containers for rail transport to improve logistics efficiency.

Hidden Connections

  • Contributes to management stability as a major shareholder of Toppan Printing Holdings.
  • Capital alliance with Sakata Inks contributes to technological exchange.
  • Provides employment to local economies through multiple subsidiaries.
  • Active company in industry-academia collaboration for new material development.
  • Strengthens cost competitiveness through group logistics rationalization.
  • Close transaction relationships with major domestic players in paints and adhesives.
  • Develops products compliant with strict domestic and international environmental regulations.
  • Advances subsidiary business strengthening through transition to holding company structure.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increased demand for environmentally friendly products due to stricter environmental regulations.
  • Expansion of demand for new materials accompanying the spread of digital printing technology.
  • Increasing demand for high-function materials in global markets.
  • Value enhancement through expansion of sustainability-compliant products.
  • Investment in new technologies due to needs for material diversification.
  • Demand for advancement in industrial adhesives and paints.
  • Business expansion through strengthened collaboration with capital partner companies.
  • Demand for high-function electronic materials accompanying growth in electronics market.
  • Acceleration of business development in emerging markets.
  • Active promotion of research and development investments.

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 70% sales ratio of environmentally friendly products.
  • Energy-saving at domestic and international manufacturing sites and 50% CO2 emission reduction.
  • Double sales in global markets.
  • Achieve 100 billion yen in sales in new business areas.
  • Maintain and improve top ESG ratings.
  • Secure R&D investment ratio at over 5% of sales.
  • Expand market share in high-function materials.
  • Build sustainable supply chains.
  • Improve productivity through digital technology utilization.
  • Promote diverse talent utilization and diversity.

Business Segments

Printing Materials Business

Overview
Manufactures and provides high-performance materials for various printing applications.
Competitiveness
High technological development capabilities and wide product lineup
Customers
  • Commercial printing companies
  • Packaging printers
  • Publishing printers
  • Advertising agencies
  • Industrial printing companies
Products
  • Printing inks
  • UV-curable inks
  • Water-based inks
  • Offset inks
  • Special printing materials

High-function Polymer and Adhesive Business

Overview
Provides high-function materials and adhesive products to industries, earning trust.
Competitiveness
Proprietary technologies with superior durability and functionality
Customers
  • Automobile manufacturers
  • Electronic device manufacturers
  • Building materials manufacturers
  • Industrial product manufacturers
  • Cosmetics manufacturers
Products
  • Adhesives
  • Coating materials
  • Heat-resistant polymers
  • Bonding agents
  • Functional resins

Colorants and Pigments Sector

Overview
Supplies high-quality colorants and pigments to diverse industries.
Competitiveness
Leadership in multifunctional pigment development
Customers
  • Paint manufacturers
  • Plastic molding companies
  • Electronic component manufacturers
  • Textile dyeing companies
  • Packaging materials manufacturers
Products
  • Functional pigments
  • High-dispersibility pigments
  • Colorants
  • Dyes
  • Special colorants

Electronic Materials Segment

Overview
Provides advanced electronic materials to support technological innovation.
Competitiveness
Advanced technological capabilities in high-purity material manufacturing
Customers
  • Semiconductor manufacturers
  • Electronic component manufacturers
  • Printed circuit board manufacturers
  • Telecommunications equipment manufacturers
  • Precision equipment manufacturers
Products
  • Conductive pastes
  • Printed electronics materials
  • High-purity resins
  • Heat-resistant pigments
  • Ceramic materials

Packaging and Packaging Materials

Overview
Manufactures high-function packaging materials, contributing to quality preservation in food and industries.
Competitiveness
Packaging proposals balancing functionality and environmental consideration
Customers
  • Food manufacturers
  • Daily goods manufacturers
  • Logistics companies
  • Retailers
  • Packaging materials suppliers
Products
  • Barrier films
  • Moisture-proof packaging materials
  • Oil-resistant films
  • Environmentally friendly packaging
  • Plastic packaging materials

Coating Materials Business

Overview
Contributes to enhancing product value in industries with multi-purpose coating materials.
Competitiveness
Product lineup with high durability and multifunctionality
Customers
  • Automotive painting companies
  • Building materials companies
  • Industrial product manufacturers
  • Rust preventive material manufacturers
  • Home appliance manufacturers
Products
  • Weather-resistant coatings
  • Rust-proof coatings
  • Stain-resistant coatings
  • Heat-resistant coatings
  • Transparent protective coatings

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Diverse product lineup leveraging high technological capabilities
  • Stable capital base from the Toyo Ink Group
  • Diverse manufacturing bases and production networks domestically and internationally
  • Synergy effects with capital partners
  • Development capabilities for environmentally friendly products
  • Reliability backed by long history
  • Active investment in research and development
  • Established broad customer base
  • High brand recognition
  • Advanced quality control system
  • Expansion into diverse industrial sectors
  • Solid financial base

Competitive Advantages

  • Market share superiority through diverse printing ink products
  • Possession of proprietary high-function polymer technology
  • Leadership in environmentally friendly product development
  • Extensive sales network in international markets
  • Product customization capabilities responsive to customer needs
  • Strengthened collaboration with Toyo Ink Group Holdings
  • Risk diversification and efficient production through multiple sites
  • Technological innovation utilizing advanced R&D facilities
  • Product portfolio compatible with wide industrial applications
  • Industry network and customer trust cultivated over many years
  • Advanced initiatives in sustainability promotion
  • Strong partnerships with major shareholders with capital ties
  • Expansion of customer touchpoints through diverse sales channels

Threats

  • Risk of global fluctuations in raw material prices
  • Increased product and manufacturing costs due to stricter environmental regulations
  • Shrinkage of domestic market and intensifying competition
  • Technological innovation and price competition from overseas rivals
  • Profit instability due to exchange rate fluctuations
  • Market changes from emergence of new materials or alternative technologies
  • Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical risks
  • Rising production costs from labor shortages
  • Delays in responding to rapid shift to environmentally friendly products
  • Unstable raw material supply due to climate change
  • Risks from infectious diseases such as COVID-19
  • Risk of intellectual property disputes

Innovations

2024: Strengthening Environmentally Friendly Ink Technology

Overview
Developed environmentally responsive printing inks using low-VOC and plant-derived raw materials.
Impact
Contributes to reducing product environmental impact and enhancing market competitiveness.

2023: Launch of New High-function Polymer Products

Overview
Developed and launched new polymer materials combining heat resistance and durability.
Impact
Leads to expansion of industrial applications and sales growth.

2022: Development of Nano Pigments for Electronic Materials

Overview
Commercialized nano pigments with high dispersibility and stability for electronic materials.
Impact
High evaluation from electronic component manufacturers, leading to increased orders.

2021: Strengthening Holding Company Structure

Overview
Advanced management efficiency as a holding company following group reorganization.
Impact
Improved management efficiency, strengthening competitiveness.

2020: Development of Environmentally Friendly Packaging Materials

Overview
Introduced biomass-blended packaging materials to provide low environmental impact products.
Impact
Increased demand from eco-conscious customers.

Sustainability

  • Expansion of low-VOC inks and paints development
  • Product design utilizing renewable resources
  • Promotion of CO2 emission reductions in manufacturing processes
  • Setting targets for improving waste recycling rates
  • Promotion of ESG-integrated management
  • Strengthening environmental management across the group
  • Disclosure of environmental reports and sustainability information
  • Advancement of green procurement
  • Participation in local environmental conservation activities
  • Employee environmental awareness education