Corporate history

History of JMC

Our company’s history dates back to the founding of four companies that have long supported Japanese industry in the fields of ferroalloys, energy, and functional materials. Throughout their respective eras, these companies have consistently driven innovation and embraced challenges, accumulating valuable technology and experience. While honoring our rich heritage and traditions, we have come together to shape a new future, reaching the position we hold today. We will continue to evolve and grow in response to the changing times.

History of JMC

History of the four core companies1917-1975

  • Azuma Kako
    Co., Ltd.Now Takaoka Plant

  • Tekkosha
    Co., Ltd.Now Sakata Factory

  • Toshiba Denko
    Co., Ltd.Now Oguni Factoy

  • Tohoku Shinko Kagaku
    Co., Ltd.Now Minami Iwate Office,
    Date Office

1927

Established as Denki Kinyu Co., Ltd.

1929

The company name was changed to Nihon Denko Co., Ltd.

1951

Hokkai Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. was renamed Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

1953

Katakaidani Power Station, located within the Katakai River system in Toyama Prefecture, was completed.

* Transferred to Hokuriku Electric Power Company in 1993.

1961

Started manufacturing cast steel products.

1962

Completed Hanamaki Factory in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, and began production of Azumin, a humic acid manganese fertilizer.

* In 2003, the fertilizer business, including Hanamaki Factory, was transferred to Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (now Denka Company Limited).

1966

Constructed Matsukawa Geothermal Power Plant as Japan’s first geothermal power plant in Matsuo Village (now Hachimantai City), Iwate Prefecture.

* Transferred the Matsukawa and Kakkonda geothermal businesses and the hydroelectric power generation business in Tohoku to Tohoku Suiryoku Chinetsu Co., Ltd. (now Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.).

1966

The ferroalloy division was separated and became independent, establishing Toshiba Ferroalloy Co., Ltd.

1967

The ferroalloy division was separated and became independent, establishing Ferroalloy Kogyo Co., Ltd.

1968

Nihon Ferroalloy Co., Ltd.Now Sakata Factory, Oguni Factoy

Ferroalloy Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Toshiba Ferroalloy Co., Ltd. merged into Nihon Ferroalloy Co., Ltd.

1969

Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Azuma Kako Co., Ltd. and Nihon Ferroalloy Co., Ltd.
merged into Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

1970

Constructed Kyushu Factory for manufacturing ferrochrome in Kitakyushu City.

* Discontinued the production in 1998

Formed capital and technical alliances with Tohoku Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

1970

The company name was changed to Tohoku Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Formed capital and technical alliances with Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

1975

Japan Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Absorbed Tohoku Metals & Chemicals Co., Ltd.

History of JMC after its founding1976-

1978
Constructed Kakkonda Geothermal Power Plant in Shizukuishi Town, Iwate Prefecture in cooperation with Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.* In 2003, transferred the power plant to Tohoku Suiryoku Chinetsu Co., Ltd. (now Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.).
1981
Constructed a factory for production of electrolytic manganese dioxide at Takaoka Plant.* Discontinued the production in 2002
1982
Constructed Mori Geothermal Power Plant in Mori Town, Hokkaido in cooperation with Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.* In 2003, transferred the geothermal business in Mori Town, Hokkaido to Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.
1984
Constructed Tamagawa Hydroelectric Power Plant in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture.* In 2003, transferred the geothermal business in Mori Town, Hokkaido to Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.
1988
  • Started manufacturing manganese ferrite in Sakata Factory.
  • Started manufacturing molded ceramics in Sakata Factory.
1992
Started manufacturing hydrogen storage alloys in Oguni Factory.
1994
Silbasa, a joint venture company established in Brazil, started manufacturing high-purity ferrosilicon.
1995
Built a diesel power plant in Minami Iwate Factory.
1997
Installed equipment for producing lithium manganese in Takaoka Plant.* Transferred the equipment for manufacturing lithium manganese to Nihon Denko Co., Ltd.
1998
  • Discontinued the production of ferromanganese in Takaoka Plant, while Advalloy, a joint venture company established in South Africa, started a portion of the former production.* Shares transferred to Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in 2002.
  • Started manufacturing high-purity cobalt in Oguni Factory.
  • Started manufacturing metallic chromium in Oguni Factory.
2002
Filed for the commencement of corporate reorganization proceedings.* Completed in 2006
2005
Takaoka Plant started manufacturing metal carriers.* Discontinued the production in 2020
2011
Acquired BOZEL BRASIL S.A., a ferroalloy producer in Brazil, and BOZEL EUROPE S.A.S in France as 100% subsidiaries.
2012
Started the recycling business for recovering rare earth from nickel-hydrogen batteries.
2013
Constructed Date Solar Power Plant in Date City, Fukushima Prefecture.
2017
  • Started manufacturing silicon-based battery materials.
  • 100th anniversary of inauguration of business
2019
  • Started the operations of Matsuo-Hachimantai Geothermal Power Plant (Iwate Geothermal Power Co., Ltd.).
  • Commemorated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of JMC.
2023
Started manufacturing hydrogen storage alloy in Takaoka Plant.