History
1918
Founded as Tokai Electrode Mfg. Co. Ltd. Business set up to provide a steady supply of quality graphite electrodes. Anticipated growth in electricity-using industries with healthy demand for carbon products. Was also a response to make effective use of the excess electricity at the time.
1936
Japan's first exports of graphite electrodes (from the Nagoya Plant to Sweden)
1938
Chigasaki Plant completed. Began production of carbon motor brushes and carbon rods.
1941
First full-scale production of carbon black in Japan at the Kyushu-Wakamatsu Plant.
1950
Developed SEAST 116, Japan's first industrial-grade carbon black.
1960
Completed TD350, a carbon motor brush with excellent rectification and abrasion resistance, for the main motor in high-speed trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen(Bullet train). Won popularity for use in high-speed rail.
1962
Supplied the first Japanese 24-inch graphite electrodes and exported to Britain, Canada and West Germany.
1975
Changed trade name to Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.
1986
The Tanoura Plant commenced production exclusively dedicated to fine carbon.
1987
Established Tokai Carbon America, Inc. in New York as an overseas subsidiary to strengthen Tokai Carbon's sales activities outside Japan.
1990
Helped finance Thai Carbon Product Co., Ltd., a joint venture in Thailand. Concluded a contract to provide Tokai Carbon's carbon production technology.
1992
Merged with Toyo Carbon Co., Ltd.
1994
Japan's Orbital Reentry Experiment (OREX) vehicle was launched with a nose cap outfitted with our carbon-carbon (C/C) composites.
1996
Established Tokai Carbon U.S.A., Inc. as an overseas subsidiary in Oregon to operate in businesses such as SiC coating.
2004
Established subsidiary Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co., Ltd in Tianjin, China to produce and sell carbon black.
2005
Acquired German graphite electrode and cathode producer ERFTCARBON GmbH (now TOKAI ERFTCARBON GmbH).
2012
Established subsidiary Tokai Carbon (Tianjin) Co., Ltd in Tianjin, China to produce and sell carbon black.
2014
Acquired Canadian carbon black producer Cancarb Limited.
2017
April
Acquired U.S. graphite electrode manufacturer SGL GE Carbon Holding LLC (now TOKAI CARBON GE HOLDING LLC)
2018
April
100-year anniversary of foundation.
2018
Acquired Tokai Carbon Korea Co., Ltd., a Korean
company with world-leading CVD-SiC mass production technology, as a
consolidated subsidiary, to expand opportunities for growth of the fine
carbon business.
Acquired U.S. carbon black manufacturing company. Designated company name as
“Tokai Carbon CB Ltd.” and established a supply system to the U.S.
2019
Acquired German carbon and graphite manufacturer COBEX HoldCo GmbH (now Tokai COBEX HoldCo GmbH)
2020
Acquired France carbon and graphite manufacturer Carbon Savoie SAS(now Tokai COBEX Savoie SAS)