More than 70 years of Zeon

2021

Began implementing a formal system for teleworking.

Jointly developed new technology for creating butadiene from biomass with RIKEN and Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.

Began production of High Thermal Interface Materials (TIM).

Began full-scale commercial production of acrylic rubber in Thailand.

2020

Completed a new production line for optical film for large-screen TVs. (Tsuruga City).

Marked the 70th anniversary of Zeon.

Publicly declared support for recommendations made by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

2019

Zeon Corporation signed the UN Global Compact (UNGC) advocated by the United Nations and joined the Global Compact Network Japan. By signing the compact as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Implementation Plan, Zeon is seriously undertaking activities based around the UNGC 10 principles in 4 areas: human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.

Capacity increase of ZEONEX® and ZEONOR® production in Mizushima plant from 37.000 to 41.600 mt/year begins.

2018

Zeon Chemicals Asia Co., Ltd. In Thailand founded to establish a new polyacrylic rubber (ACM) plant in Rayong, Thailand with planned capacity of 5.000 mt/year. The plant construction begins.

2017

Establishment of CNT Composite Material Research Centre in collaboration with the Institute Of Advanced Industrial Science Technology (AIST) Japan and others.

ZS Elastomers Co., Ltd., a joint venture with Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., in the area of Sales, Marketing and R&D of SSBR and Li-BR founded.

Asian Technical Support Laboratory (ATSL) in Singapore founded in order to strengthen the customer’s technical support in South East Asia and India.

Construction of the hydrogenation facility in Mizushima plant completed for the production of hydrogenated C5 petroleum resin.

2016

Construction of mass production facility for high-performance thermal interface material that combines CNT with rubber completed.

2015

Construction of carbon nanotube (CNT) production facility completed at Tokuyama Plant.

2014

The Phase 2 of new SSBR production site in Singapore is completed.
Production of SSBR begins.

2013

New SSBR production site in Singapore:
Phase 1 30.000 – 40.000 mt/year (Full production started in September)
Phase 2 30.000 – 40.000 mt/year (planned capacity)

Tohpe Corporation acquisition became a fully owned subsidiary.

Expansion of Production Capacity for ACM in USA by 50%.

New HNBR production line in Kawasaki plant especially dedicated for the production Zetpol® HP and Zetpol® Latex.

Expansion of Production Capacity for C5 hydrocarbon resin in Thailand

2012

Expansion Production Capacity for HNBR in USA.

2007

New ZeonorFilm™ product, Diagonal Stretched Film launched.

2002

ZEONOR FILM^® launched.

2000

Company logo and company name changed to ZEON CORPORATION to coincide with the 50th anniversary.

1999

Acquired specialty rubber business from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (US).

1998

Acquired NBR business from DSM Copolymer (US).

Takaoka Plant acquires ISO 14001 certification. Tokuyama, Kawasaki, & Mizushima Plants certified in 1999.

C5 hydrocarbon resin plant of ZEON Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. completed.

1994

Takaoka & Tokuyama Plants acquire ISO 9002 certification. Kawasaki & Mizushima Plants certified in 1995.

1990

COP Plant completed at Mizushima.

1989

Acquired the nitrile rubber operations of BP Chemicals (UK) in March.
Acquired the specialty rubber business of BF Goodrich Chemicals Co. (US) in October

1985

Entire company awarded Deming Prize for TQC.

1969

Mizushima Plant completed.

1965

Tokuyama Plant completed and operation of GPB facilities commenced.

1961

Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, then on the Osaka/Nagoya Stock Exchanges in October.

1959

Kawasaki Plant completed, launched Japan’s first synthetic rubber production, opened Central Research Laboratory.

1956

Takaoka Plant completed.

1953

Technological Research Laboratory opened.

1952

Kanbara Plant completed, began PVC production.

1951

Technical assistance contract for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride resins (PVC) concluded with BF Goodrich Chemicals Co. (US).