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History of BASF in Japan

1865 - 1988

Dye labels for the Asiamarkets at the time of founding

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 - 2019

BASF Global History

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1865–1901 The Birth of the Chemical Industry and the Era of Dyes
Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik is founded in 1865.
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1902–1924 The Haber-Bosch Process and the Age of Fertilizers
The first plant for ammonia synthesis begins its operation in 1913.
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1925–1944 New Forms of High-pressure Synthesis
The synthesis of styrene is conducted at the Ludwigshafen site in 1929.
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1945 – 1964  From New Beginnings to the Plastic Age

BASF starts production of Styropor® in 1951.
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1965–1989 The Road to Becoming a Transnational Company
On its 100th anniversary in 1965, BASF is already on its way to becoming a transnational company.
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1990 Until Today Sustainable Start to the New Millennium
BASF celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2015.
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