Tokuyama was established in 1918 in Tokuyama Cho (present-day Shunan City), Yamaguchi Prefecture in order to produce soda ash domestically, remedying what was then Japan’s total reliance on imports. Together with the growth and development of Japan’s chemical’s industry, Tokuyama also began producing cement and added a broad array of chemicals to its product lineup. In addition to chemicals, the company’s main business fields today are: high-purity chemicals for electronics manufacturing and thermal management materials essential for the production of cutting-edge semiconductors; life sciences, including eyeglass lens materials and dental materials and equipment; and the environmental business, including recycling.