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

1917

Established as Hokkai Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Fushiki-cho (now Takaoka City), Toyama Prefecture.

1925

Tekkosha Limited Partnership Company was founded, and started manufacturing ferroalloys in Ono-niimachi, Fukushima Prefecture (now Ono Town, Tamura District).

Main gate of Ono-niimachi Factory * In 1977, Ono Factory was closed.

Main gate of Ono-niimachi Factory* In 1977, Ono Factory was closed.

1927

Established as Denki Kinyu Co., Ltd.

1929

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

1936

Started manufacturing ferroalloy in Fushiki Factory.

Fushiki plant around 1945 * In,1973 Fushiki Factory ceased ferroalloy production.

Fushiki plant around 1945* In,1973 Fushiki Factory ceased ferroalloy production.

1937

Established as Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

1938

Nihon Denko Co., Ltd. started manufacturing ferroalloys in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture (Oguni Factoy).

* Discontinued the production in 1996

Chojahara Hydroelectric Power Plant was completed in Chojahara, Minamioguni Village（now Oguni Town, Nishiokitama District）, Yamagata Prefecture.

* Transferred the power plant to Tohoku Geothermal Energy Co., Ltd. (now Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.) in 1994.

1939

Started manufacturing ferroalloys in Sakata Ohama Factory (now Sakata Factory).

View of the carbide and ferroalloy factories in Sakata Ohama Factory * Discontinued the production in 1987

View of the carbide and ferroalloy factories in Sakata Ohama Factory* Discontinued the production in 1987

1943

The company name was changed to Tohoku Electric Steel Co., Ltd.

1945

Nomachi Factory was completed, and started manufacturing ferroalloys.

Nomachi Plant around 1960

Nomachi Plant around 1960

1949

Started manufacturing ferroalloys in Wagakawa Factory.

Ferrosilicon tapping in Wagakawa Factory * Discontinued the production in 1995

Ferrosilicon tapping in Wagakawa Factory* Discontinued the production in 1995

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.

1958

Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) was constructed, and started manufacturing ferroalloys.

Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) around 1960 * Discontinued the production in 1998

Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) around 1960* Discontinued the production in 1998

1958

Nihon Denko Co., Ltd. was renamed Toshiba Denko Co., Ltd.

Aerial view of Oguni Factory

Aerial view of Oguni Factory

1959

Acquired Date Factory (now Date Office) from Kuroda Electric Co., Ltd.

Ferrosilicon production in Date Factory * Discontinued the production of ferroalloys in 1980

Ferrosilicon production in Date Factory* Discontinued the production of ferroalloys in 1980

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.

1967

The company name was changed to Tohoku Shinko Kagaku 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.

1917Event of Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

Established as Hokkai Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd. in Fushiki-cho (now Takaoka City), Toyama Prefecture.

The outbreak of World War I disrupted imports from Europe and the United States, leading to shortages and soaring prices of carbide and lime nitrogen in Japan. Taking advantage of the low-cost electricity generated from Toyama Prefecture’s abundant water resources and the transportation benefits offered by Fushiki Port, a factory was built in Fushiki Town, Imizu District, Toyama Prefecture (now Takaoka City). Constructed Fushiki Factory, and started manufacturing carbide, lime nitrogen, and ammonium sulfate.

1936Event of Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

Started manufacturing ferroalloy in Fushiki Factory.

The management policy was changed, and the production of lime nitrogen and ammonium sulfate was discontinued, while the production of ferroalloys started.
Around 1946, carbide production was discontinued, and the company became a specialized ferroalloy manufacturer.

* In,1973 Fushiki Factory ceased ferroalloy production.

Fushiki plant around 1945 Fushiki plant around 1945

1945Event of Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

Nomachi Factory was completed, and started manufacturing ferroalloys.

Due to the increasing demand for steel, the company planned construction of a new factory. Incorporating the idea of “Let’s build an ideal factory,” we constructed the factory in Nomachi, on the opposite shore of Fushiki Port.

Nomachi Plant around 1960 Nomachi Plant around 1960

1958Event of Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) was constructed, and started manufacturing ferroalloys.

The capacity of the first completed large-scale electric furnace (Furnace No. 16) was 18,000 kVA. At that time, it was the largest in the ferroalloy industry worldwide.

* Discontinued the production in 1998

Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) around 1960 Shogawa Factory (now Takaoka Plant) around 1960

1962Event of Azuma Kako Co., Ltd.

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).

1925Event of Tekkosha Co., Ltd.

Tekkosha Limited Partnership Company was founded, and started manufacturing ferroalloys in Ono-niimachi, Fukushima Prefecture (now Ono Town, Tamura District).

In 1928, the company was transformed from a limited partnership into a joint-stock corporation.

* In 1977, Ono Factory was closed.

Main gate of Ono-niimachi Factory Main gate of Ono-niimachi Factory
Image Source: Tekkosha Company History Compilation Committee (1961), “35-Year History of Tekkosha,” Tekkosha Publishing

1939Event of Tekkosha Co., Ltd.

Started manufacturing ferroalloys in Sakata Ohama Factory (now Sakata Factory).

* Discontinued the production in 1987

View of the carbide and ferroalloy factories in Sakata Ohama Factory Image Source: Tekkosha Company History Compilation Committee (1961), “35-Year History of Tekkosha,” Tekkosha Publishing View of the carbide and ferroalloy factories in Sakata Ohama Factory
Image Source: Tekkosha Company History Compilation Committee (1961), “35-Year History of Tekkosha,” Tekkosha Publishing

1938Event of Toshiba Denko Co., Ltd.

Nihon Denko Co., Ltd. started manufacturing ferroalloys in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture (Oguni Factoy).

* Discontinued the production in 1996

Chojahara Hydroelectric Power Plant was completed in Chojahara, Minamioguni Village（now Oguni Town, Nishiokitama District）, Yamagata Prefecture.

The government at the time was focused on developing the Tohoku region and, as part of that effort, encouraged companies to expand into Tohoku. The abundance of water resources, superior to other regions, was the deciding factor in building factories and power plants in Yamagata Prefecture.

* Transferred the power plant to Tohoku Geothermal Energy Co., Ltd. (now Tohoku Sustainable & Renewable Energy Co. Inc.) in 1994.

1958Event of Toshiba Denko Co., Ltd.

Nihon Denko Co., Ltd. was renamed Toshiba Denko Co., Ltd.

Aerial view of Oguni Factory Aerial view of Oguni Factory

1937Event of Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

The company was established to manufacture lime nitrogen and low-phosphorus pig iron. In 1940, the first pig iron tapping was conducted in Wagakawa Factory (now Minami Iwate Office), marking the birth of the first Tohoku Shinko Kagaku product.

1943Event of Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

The company name was changed to Tohoku Electric Steel Co., Ltd.

The company name was changed to reflect its steel manufacturing operations, as the original name, Tohoku Shinko Kagaku, did not accurately represent its business activities.

1949Event of Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

Started manufacturing ferroalloys in Wagakawa Factory.

* Discontinued the production in 1995

Ferrosilicon tapping in Wagakawa Factory Ferrosilicon tapping in Wagakawa Factory

1959Event of Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

Acquired Date Factory (now Date Office) from Kuroda Electric Co., Ltd.

* Discontinued the production of ferroalloys in 1980

Ferrosilicon production in Date Factory Ferrosilicon production in Date Factory

1967Event of Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

The company name was changed to Tohoku Shinko Kagaku Co., Ltd.

To mark the 30th anniversary of operations and with a renewed commitment to promoting the company’s philosophy of economic development in the Tohoku region, the company reverted to its original name.

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.