History of BASF in Japan
1865
Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik Aktiengesellschaft (BASF AG) is founded in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
1888
BASF is introduced to the Japanese market through H.Ahrens & Co.
1898
Yamada Shoten and Shibata Shoten import the first BASF dye, Indigo Pure, into Japan.
1927
First technology licensing in Japan. BASF provides methylalcohol technology to Mitsubishi Gas Chemical.
1949
Yamada Shoten and Shibata Shoten establish Color Chemie Trading Co., Ltd. (precursor of current BASF Japan) in Tokyo.
1951
Osaka sales office and laboratory established.
BASF transfers exclusive distributor rights from H. Ahrensto Color Chemie Trading.
1953
BASF AG makes equity investment in Color Chemie Trading.
1956
Osaka Takakura plant and warehouse completed; BASF starts production in Japan.
1962
Yuka Badische Co., Ltd. (renamed Mitsubishi Chemical BASF Co., Ltd. in 1994) established as BASF’s first joint venture in Japan, for the production of expandable polystyrene (Styropor®).
1965
Color Chemie Trading becomes BASF Dyes & Chemicals Co., Ltd.
1969
Following BASF’s acquisition of German Elastogran Group, Polyurethane Chemical Co., Ltd. (renamed BASF INOAC Polyurethanes Ltd.) becomes a BASF subsidiary.
1974
BASF Dyes & Chemicals Co., Ltd. renamed BASF Japan Ltd.
Mitsui Badische Dyes Ltd. (renamed Mitsui BASF DyesLtd.) established as a joint venture to produce dyestuffs for synthetic fibers.
1975
BASF purchases pharmaceutical manufacturer Knoll AG; Knoll Japan K.K. joins the BASF Group.
1985
Following BASF’s acquisition of Inmont Corporation (U.S.A.), Nippon Rinshed-Mason (renamed Nippon R-MCo., Ltd.), a producer of automotive refinishing paints, becomes a BASF subsidiary.
BASF Japan acquires its own production site in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
1987
Takeda Badische Urethane Industries, Ltd. (renamed BASF Polyurethane Elastomers Ltd.) established to expand polyurethane business.
1988
Yokkaichi Works starts up. BASF starts production of auxiliaries for paper, textile and leather industries.
1991
BASF Nichiyu Coating R&D Co., Ltd., a joint venture between BASF Coatings AG and NOF Corporation, established for automotive OEM paints.
1995
Idemitsu BASF Co., Ltd. (renamed BASF Idemitsu Co.,Ltd.) established for 1.4-butanediol production.
Nisso BASF Agro Co., Ltd. established to produce and market herbicides.
1996
BASF acquires Hokuriku Seiyaku Co., Ltd.
1999
As part of restructuring, Polyurethane Chemical Co., Ltd. renamed BASF INOAC Polyurethanes Ltd.
Mitsubishi Chemical BASF Co., Ltd. divided into BASF Dispersions Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Foam Plastic Corp.
BASF acquires Takeda Kagaku Shiryo Co., Ltd.
2000
BASF Coatings AG and NOF Corporation establish BASF NOF Coatings Co., Ltd., a joint venture for coatings.
BASF Nichiyu Coating R&D and Nippon R-M are integrated into the new company.
BASF’s dyestuff business for fibers consolidated in DyStar; BASF’s shares in Mitsui BASF Dyes Ltd. are transferred to DyStar Japan Ltd.
With BASF’s acquisition of crop protection business of American Home Products Corporation, BASF Japan Ltd. acquires all shares in Cyanamid (Japan) Limited (in 2001 renamed BASF Agro, Ltd.).
2001
BASF Takeda Vitamins Ltd. established, in conjunction with BASF’s acquisition of global vitamin business from Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd.
With BASF’s acquisition of American Cyanamid Co. In 2000, Cyanamid (Japan) Ltd. and BASF Japan Ltd.’s agrochemical business merge to become BASF Agro, Ltd.
Knoll Japan K.K. and Hokuriku Seiyaku Co., Ltd. are transferred to Abbott Laboratories when BASF sells its pharmaceutical business to Abbott.
2002
BASF Polyurethane Elastomers Ltd. integrates with BASF Japan Ltd.’s Polymers Division.
2003
BASF Dispersions Co., Ltd. integrates with BASF JapanLtd.’s Specialties Division.
2005
BASF acquires full ownership of BASF NOF Coatings Co.,Ltd., and establishes BASF Coatings Japan Ltd.
2006
BASF acquires Engelhard, Degussa Construction Chemicals and Johnson Polymer. Following these acquisitions, N.E. Chemcat Corporation and Engelhard Metals Japan, Ltd. (renamed BASF Metals Japan Ltd.) become BASF subsidiaries.
2007
With merger of three major construction chemicals companies BASF Pozzolith Ltd. is formed.
2009
BASF acquires Ciba.
BASF Japan Ltd. merges with BASF Agro, Ltd.
2010
BASF acquires Cognis.
BASF Japan Ltd. merges with Ciba Japan K.K.
BASF Japan Ltd. merges with Musashino-Geigy Co., Ltd.
2011
BASF Japan Ltd. merges with Cognis Japan Ltd.
2012
Opening of Yokohama Innovation Center.
BASF Japan Ltd. merges with BASF Pozzolith Ltd. and BASF Coatings Japan Ltd.
2013
Opening of the Research and Development Laboratory and Application Technology Center for Battery Materials in Amagasaki.
2014
Opening of designfabrik® Tokyo in Yokohama.
2015
Opening of the Asia Composite Center in Yokohama.
BASF TODA Battery Materials LLC., a joint venture between BASF and TODA KOGYO CORP., established.
2016
BASF established BASF Colors & Effects Japan Ltd.
2017
BASF established AgSloution Farm Naruto in Chiba.
Pozzolith Solutions Ltd. was formed.
2018
BASF established Construction Competency Center in Chigasaki.
2019
BASF established Creation Center in Yokohama (Name change from designfabrik®)
