Company History | Corporate Profile | TOMOEGAWA CORPORATION

1910 ～ Specialty Paper age

The domestic pioneer of electrical insulation materials

Leading the market with the first domestic production of electrical insulation paper

Historical background
Sharp decrease in the import of electrical insulating paper

At the beginning of the 20th century, when Japan’s industrialization as a modern nation began to progress, the power transmission infrastructure was being constructed in Japan in order to supply the electricity to industry. Along with this, the demand for “electrical insulating paper” also increased. On the other hand, because all of them had to rely on imports from Europe and the US, the situation of World War I, which broke out in 1914, made it difficult to procure electrical insulating paper.

Developed products
The domestic pioneer of electrical insulation materials

In the early 1900s, Mr. Genzaburo Inoue bore the mind of domestic production of electrical insulating paper and started research and development to achieve it, with only one small piece of German made sample on hand. While the demand for domestic production increased due to the outbreak of World War I, Mr. Inoue founded Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd. and succeeded in the first domestic production of electrical insulating paper in 1914. TOMOEGAWA, through its products, made huge contribution to the rapid construction of Japan's power grid, such as the expansion of the power grid in the 1960s and the shift to high-voltage power grid in the 1970s.

Electric wire cable using our electric insulating paper (around 1930)

1910s

1914: The first president Genzaburo Inoue founded Tomoegawa Paper Factory along the Tomoegawa river in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and started research and prototype manufacture of electric insulating paper and telecommunication paper. This place is currently called 'Shimizu Works'.

1917: Established Tomoegawa Paper Co., Ltd.

1918: Established SHOEI PRINTING Co., Ltd.

Products and Technology

Punching paper

Electrical insulating paper for communication cable

Electrical insulating paper for power cable

1930s

1933: Established Nihon Rika Seishi Co., Ltd.

1933: Established Mochimune Works (currently called Shizuoka Works) in Shizuoka city to develop specialty paper and start manufacturing general paper

Products and Technology

High voltage capacitor paper

1940s

1945: Merged Shingu Mokuzai Pulp Corporation and renamed into Shingu Works, and started in-house production of craft pulp

1948: Established SANWA CO.,LTD．

1949: Opened a technical research laboratory at Mochimune Works to conduct comprehensive research in paper and pulp fields

Products and Technology

Tracing paper

Discharged recording paper

1950s

1958: Built a papermaking factory at Singu Works to establish integrated manufacturing system from pulp to paper

Products and Technology

Insulating paper for ultra high voltage power cables(154kV)

Electronic copy base paper

1960 ～ Information recording-medium age

The front runner of the automation age

Expanding the business to toner and magnetic tickets as automation progresses

Historical background
Rapid progress in automation

Rapid economic growth continued, and various devices became popular for industrial development and the improvement in quality of life. In the 1960s, electrophotographic copying machines appeared, and they rapidly became widespread as convenient copying and printing equipment. Automation also progressed in transportation. In the 1970s, automatic ticket gate systems using magnetic tickets and magnetic commuter tickets were also introduced. In each case, advanced technology of electrical property control was required.

Developed products
Mass production of “Toner” and “Magnetic Ticket” utilizing knowledge of electrical properties

TOMOEGAWA started developing toner in the 1960s after successful development of electrophotographic paper by superior technology of electrical property control. In 1965, TOMOEGAWA launched toner for plate-making-paper, its first commercial toner product, and then moved its focus onto development of toner for copying machine. After the successful product release in 1973, TOMOEGAWA has climbed up and has become the world’ s #1 toner manufacturer that does not manufacture copy machines, and hence through building the global supply system. Furthermore, as a leading company of a magnetic-recording medium, TOMOEGAWA has been contributing to improve people’ s quality of life, through the launch of products used for magnetic ticket, commuter pass, prepaid card and so on.

Electrostatic recording paper and toner for facsimile

1960s

1961: Listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Stock Exchange

1963: Head office building was completed construction in Kyobashi, Tokyo to commemorate the 50th anniversary

1964: 50th anniversary ceremony was held

Products and Technology

Electrophotographic paper

Punching paper for electronic computer

Statistics card paper for high speed processing

Dry type EF offset master

Dry two-component toner for EF copy

Electrostatic recording paper for printer

Online passbook paper

OHP base paper

Electrostatic recording paper for fax

Magnetic parking ticket/wet EF ticket

1970s

1972: Renamed Paper Technology Laboratory into Technical Laboratory and accelerated new business development other than paper products

1972: Built the 1st toner factory (Built another factory to increase production in 1978)

1978: Established TOMOEGAWA(U.S.A.) INC. in Illinois, U.S.A. and started production of toner in October 1981

Products and Technology

Insulating paper for super-ultra high voltage power cables (500kV)

Wet tonner for EF copy

Chelate magnetic ticket

Adhesive tape for screen printing frame

Wet EF color copy paper

Dry tonner for PPC master

Thermal and magnetic ticket

Electric thermal recording paper

Adhesive processing for polarizing plate

1980 ～ Electronics age

TOMOEGAWA technology makes a great leap into the worldwide market

Developing the related products that has become the international standard for electronic devices and semiconductors

Historical background
Rapid growth in electronic equipment and semiconductor markets

As various electric and electronic products spread to the market, high density and high integration of semiconductors made rapid progress. Advanced electrical engineering was required such as electrical insulation between minute circuits, durability and dimensional stability, and moreover, cutting-edge polymer electronic materials with superior electrical insulation were demanded.

Developed products
“Lead Frame Fixing Tape” which became the basis of International Standard

Since entering into the business of polarizing film adhesion processing under clean environment in 1977, TOMOEGAWA tried to adopt its newly acquired technology of coating & laminating under clean environment into the market of electronic materials. In 1984, TOMOEGAWA succeeded in original development of "Lead Frame Fixing Tape" used inside the semiconductor package by taking advantage of the electrical insulating technology cultivated over many years with the electric insulating paper. The highly reliable “Lead Frame Fixing Tape”, proven by TOMOEGAWA’s outstanding technology, was positioned as a designated product by IC manufacturers all over the world, and has become the basis of international standard.

High-performance electronic component materials that support the electronics industry

1980s

1984: Established TOMOEGAWA EUROPE B.V. in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and started sales of toner and processed paper products

1984: Built the 2nd chemical-products factory for toner filling

1987: Established TOMOEGAWA CONVERTING CO.,LTD. and TOMOEGAWA LOGISTICS SERVICE CO.,LTD．

1989: Built a dedicated factory for electronic parts materials and magnetic recording products at Shimizu Works

Products and Technology

Semi-synthesis Insulating paper for super-ultra high voltage power cables　(275kV)

Increased page online passbook paper

Super light weight printing paper

Bus common magnetic coupon

Lead frame fixing tape

Electrostatic chuck [ElephaneTAD]

Glass lid for CCD

1990s

1992: Built a dedicated factory for adhesive tape for LCD at Mochimune Works

1995: Closed Shingu Works and withdrew from pulp business

Products and Technology

Semi-synthesis Insulating paper for super-ultra high voltage power cables (800kV)

Stainless fiber sheet, Fluorine fiber sheet

Powder paint

Special paper for inkjet

LR film for LCD, AG film for LCD

Colored adhesive film for CRT

Ion exchange fiber sheet

2000 ～ FPD age

The bloom of adhesion technology

Achieving high performance display with adhesive and bonding technology

Historical background
Growing need for FPD

In the 2000s, the demands increased for PCs to popularize and for TVs to become larger and thinner. While there were various needs such as more vivid colors, human-friendly, cost performance, process reduction, and durability improvement, timely product development and market launch as well as cost competitiveness were required.

Developed products
Materials to achieve vivid and high quality display

TOMOEGAWA has shifted its business from paper to "highly functional materials" and has improved coating technology and adhesive / bonding processing technology to produce many component materials for liquid crystal displays and plasma display that meet the needs of times. In addition to satisfying a broad range of market demands such as anti-reflection, anti-glare, UV protection, and touch panel applications, TOMOEGAWA has been trying to improve its marketing skills in order to capture potential market needs and make successful proposals that help its customers’ business. TOMOEGAWA has made progress with the times.

Film dedicated coater in clean room

2000s

2001: Opened a converting factory for printer paper in Chihuahua, Mexico

2001: Opened an analysis center at Shizuoka Works

2002: Built a factory for optical films and adhesive tapes for electronics products at Shizuoka Works

2004: Established TOMOEGAWA HONG KONG CO., LTD.

2005: Established Tomoegawa Holding Huizhou Inc. to control business operations in China

2005: Delisted from Osaka Stock Exchange

2005: Established TOMOEGAWA IMAGING TECHNOLOGY (HUIZHOU) CO.,LTD. for toner manufacturing and sales, in Huizhou city, Guang Dong Province, China and built a factory in April, 2006

2005: Built the 3rd chemical-products factory at Shizuoka Works to meet the increasing demand for toner

2005: Established Tomoegawa Fine Coating Ltd. for development and production of optical films in Tsuruga city, Fukui prefecture. The registered name is currently TFC Co. Ltd.

2006: Span off Paper Div. and established a new company, Tomoegawa Paper Co. Ltd.

2006: Started using common name "TOMOEGAWA" and the newly designed company logo

2006: Established Tomoegawa Korea Co., Ltd. in South Korea

2009: Established a joint venture, AT Electorode Co., Ltd.

Products and Technology

Colored adhesive film for PDP

Electrostatic chuck for LCD

Paper string / paper net

Glass grid with retardation film

Waterproof paper for LBP

Adhesive sheet for ceramic ESC

Various functional OCA films

Paper rope

EMC measures sheet

Battery electrode

Hybrid adhesive sheet

2010s

2010: Established TOPPAN TOMOEGAWA OPTICAL PRODUCTS CO.,LTD. (currently TOPPAN TOMOEGAWA OPTICAL FILMS CO., LTD.)

2011: Transferred converting business for printer paper in Chihuahua, Mexico to a third party

2011: Established a joint venture, Nissai Imaging Technology (Jiujiang) Co.,Ltd. in China for manufacturing and sales of toner

2012: Invested in Aura Paper Industries(India) Pvt. Ltd.

2013: Merged Tomoegawa Paper Co. Ltd.

2013: Opened a representative office in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2014: 100th Anniversary

2015: Launched "iCas", a unified brand of "Heat/Electricity/Electromagnetic Waves" control related products

2016: Made Taiwan a representative office a subsidiary, TOMOEGAWA TAIWAN CO.,LTD.

2016: Acquired additional stock of Aura Paper Industries(India) Pvt.Ltd., and made it a subsidiary TOMOEGAWA AURA INDIA PVT. LTD.

2016: Established Tomoegawa Co Middle East in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

2018: Established Tomoegawa (Guangzhou) International Trading Co., Ltd. for sale of toner for copiers / printers and others in China

2018: Relocated the headquarters to Kyobashi Trust Tower in Chuo-ku,Tokyo

Products and Technology

Touch panel compatible products

Activated carbon sheet

Heat and chemical resistant masking sheet

Calcium carbonate paper

DIA sheet

Ceramic paper

Bonding sheet

QFN tape

Light control film

2020 ～ To a new age

Strengthen global strategy and proposal-based development projects

Preventing malfunctions which has obstructed the evolution of electronic components

Historical background
Progress of IoT and globalization

Internet of Things (IoT), which connects home appliances to the internet have drawn global attention, and various products and technologies evolve to meet the needs of the next era. Examples include utilization of big data by artificial intelligence (AI), new energy sources represented by renewable energy, wearable devices as "post-smartphone”, evolution of automotive electronics, and autonomous driving systems. In the midst of intense international competition, manufacturers in Japan are required to expand their business globally, not just in Japan, and the establishment of overseas bases and market expansion are accelerating.

Developed products
“iCas” brand products building the foundation for the next 50 years

In response to the trend of the IoT era, electronic devices become smaller and lighter, and require high voltage, large current and high frequency compatibility. However, failure and malfunction of electronic components due to heat, electricity, or electromagnetic waves are technical barriers. Therefore, TOMOEGAWA launched the "iCas" brand, which contributes to problem solving through the electrical property evaluation technology and papermaking / coating technology cultivated since its foundation, and has expanded its business. In addition, TOMOEGAWA conducts proposal-type development that captures customer needs, focusing on electrical and electronic materials and functional paper. TOMOEGAWA continues to maintain its founding spirit of "Sincerity, Contributing to Society, Pioneering Spirit" and continues to be a "development oriented company with cohesive employees that can expand and grow globally."

2020s

2020: Made SHOEI PRINTING Co., Ltd. a consolidated subsidiary

2020: Stopped manufacturing of toner at TOMOEGAWA (U.S.A.) Inc.

2020: Closed Tomoegawa Co. Middle East

2021: Closed Osaka sales office

2022: Shifted to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market

2022: Converted NichiRica CO.,LTD .(formly Nihon Rika Seishi Co., Ltd.) into a wholly owned subsidiary

2022: Converted SANWA CO., LTD. into a wholly owned subsidiary

2023: Chagnged the industrial sectors from "Pulp & Paper" to "Chemicals" on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market.

2023: Opened Tohoku Sales Office

2024: Changed company name from TOMOEGAWA CO., LTD. to TOMOEGAWA CORPORATION to mark the 110th anniversary of the company's foundation

Products and Technology

Copper fiber sheet

Thermal conductive (high insulation /heat resistance) adhesive sheet

Planar heater

High performance heat sink

High frequency compatible electromagnetic wave absorption sheet

Highly adherent and re-adhesive heat conductive sheet

Low dielectric, tangential adhesive sheet

Electromagnetic wave shielding sheet

Cellulose Fiber Compounded GREEN CHIP® CMF®

Preventing malfunction of electric parts with TOMOEGAWA's "iCas"

Today, wearable devices and Internet of Things (IoT) spread rapidly in addition to evolution of IT through the progress of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI). To meet the needs of IT evolution era, electronic components must be smaller, lighter, and have higher power (high voltage, high current, and high frequency).
It is essential to take measures against malfunction of electronic components called "Barriers of technology" such as noise control, heat dissipation, and electrical insulation.

Utilizing the unique advanced technologies that TOMOEGAWA has cultivated over 100 years and "iCas" brand products, TOMOEGAWA contributes to prevention of breakdown or malfunctions of electronic parts due to "Heat, Electricity, or Electromagnetic waves".

Heat / Electricity / Electromagnetic Waves related products