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Raw materials &
research
Our headquarters for raw materials and research and development: Since its founding in 1915, Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd. has developed a wide range of products characterized by the outstanding properties of carbon. The main manufacturing and sales areas are extruded and isostatically pressed specialty graphites; carbon fiber products; high-purity graphite for the production of crystalline silicon; anode materials for lithium-ion batteries; continuous silicon carbide fibers, which are primarily used in the aerospace industry; impermeable graphite and chemicals for devices and equipment in the chemical industry, e.g., heat exchangers; flexible graphite for the automotive industry; and other carbon products.
Networks
of success
The group employs a total of approximately 800 people. In addition, Nippon Carbon operates a unique joint venture with Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical: Nippon-Techno Carbon Co., Ltd. has direct access to the raw materials (binder pitch and pitch coke) of the Nippon Steel & Sumikin Metal Group.
The history of the company
1915
Founding
Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd. is founded in Urashimagaoka, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi to manufacture natural graphite electrodes.
1926
Research & Development
Start of production of artificial graphite anodes for aqueous electrolysis.
1927
Success
For the first time in Japan, Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd. succeeds in producing electrodes made of artificial graphite.
1932
industrialization
Beginning of the industrialization of carbon brushes for electric motors.
1933
First work
Construction of the plant in Yamanashi for the production of graphite anodes.
1934
Artificial graphite in production
Opening of the Toyama plant to produce artificial graphite electrodes for steel production.
1938
Series production
A factory for the serial production of high-quality carbon products (e.g. electric carbon brushes) is being built in Yokohama Bay.
1949
Chemical Industries
Start of production of REBSON, an impermeable graphite for chemical construction materials.
1959
nuclear industry
Introduction of the technology for the production of nuclear-pure graphite (moderator & reflector).
1962
Industrialization of carbon fibers
Nippon Carbon begins industrializing the carbon fiber material CARBOLON®.
1966
Rotary engines
Start of production of APEX SEAL for rotary engines.
1970
High strength & high elasticity
Start of production of the high-strength and highly elastic carbon fiber CARBOLON-Z®.
1974
Production of flexible graphite
Start of production of the flexible graphite sheet NICAFILM®.
1980
Production of continuous fibers
Signing of a development agreement with the Research Development Corporation of Japan to provide technology for the production of the silicon carbide continuous fiber Nicalon™.
1983
Production of isotropic graphite
Production of isotropic graphite begins at the Yamanashi plant. Approval from the Research Development Corporation of Japan for the successful development of the technology for producing the continuous silicon carbide fiber Nicalon™.
1985
Quality award
Winning the Deming Prize.
1986
Ready for the market
Start of sales of activated carbon in fiber form.
1987
High-performance production
The Shirakawa plant begins production and processing of the high-performance sliding material SC CARBON®.
1992
Electron beam irradiation
Signing of a development agreement with the Research Development Corporation of Japan to research industrialized manufacturing technologies for the high-temperature-resistant silicon carbide continuous fiber Hi-Nicalon™ using an electron beam process.
1993
Certification
The Toyama plant is certified according to ISO 9001.
1994
Certification
The Shiga plant (Shin Nippon Carbon) is certified according to ISO 9002 (renewal to ISO 9001 in 1997).
1995
Development permit
Approval by the Research Development Corporation of Japan for the successful development of the manufacturing technology for the high-temperature resistant silicon carbide continuous fiber Hi-Nicalon™.
1998
Certification
The Yamanashi plant is certified according to ISO 9001. The Toyama, Yamanashi, and Shiga (Shin Nippon Carbon) plants jointly receive ISO 14001 certification.
1999
Corporate merger
1999 Merger with Shin Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd. and renaming of the company Shiga Plant. ISO 14001 certification.
2003
Special carbon products
Establishment of Nippon Techno-Carbon Co., Ltd. with a focus on special carbon products.
2006
DC arc furnaces
Start of production of 32-inch artificial graphite electrodes for DC arc furnaces.
2012
Founding a fiber company
Founding of NGS Advanced Fibers Co., Ltd.
2016
Founding of Nippon Kornmeyer Group GmbH
Establishment of a joint venture with the Kornmeyer Carbon Group in Germany and thus the Nippon Kornmeyer Carbon Group GmbH (NK).
Today
Nippon Kornmeyer Carbon Group GmbH © 2025