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Soda ash (sodium carbonate) is one of Tokuyama's oldest businesses since the Company was founded in 1918. Soda ash is feedstock for glass materials, soap, steel and inorganic chemicals, as well as in a wide range of fields such as food additives. Due to intense competition stemming from stagnant demand in Japan and increasing of imported products, the business environment for soda ash has become extremely challenging. As a result, the number of companies in Japan producing soda ash has been reduced from four to two, including Tokuyama. As a surviving domestic manufacturer of soda ash, Tokuyama understands its responsibility more than ever before. Based on the technologies accumulated since its foundation and relationships of trust with customers built over many years, Tokuyama is reinforcing its position in the Japanese market while maintaining and strengthening its competitiveness.
Calcium chloride, a byproduct in soda ash production process, is a major support pillar to the operations. In winter, calcium chloride is used as antifreezing agents, and in summer, it is used as dust proofing and dehumidifier, as well as many other applications in our daily lives.
Tokuyama boasts a top market share in Japan for sodium silicate cullet, which is produced from soda ash, caustic soda, and silica sand. Sodium silicate cullet is sold on the market as a major ingredient in sodium silicate (water glass), which is used as a soil hardening agent. Sodium silicate cullet is also used to produce Tokuyama precipitated silica (SiO2).
Sodium bicarbonate is also a core product and essential in Tokuyama's chemical business. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a bathwater additive and baking powder, and is more widely used for dialysis treatment in the medical field. Sodium bicarbonate is also attracting attention as a cleaning agent that is environmentally-friendly. Tokuyama is taking new initiatives in developing sodium bicarbonate as a high-value-added field.
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