Itoho Oil Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Itoho Oil Chemicals Co., Ltd. (伊藤製油株式会社, Itoho Seiyu) is a Japanese specialty chemicals manufacturer headquartered in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture. Founded in 1872 (Meiji 5), the company has built its identity around castor oil — a natural plant oil pressed from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Its corporate motto, 'Pursuing the potential of castor oil with single-minded devotion,' reflects more than 150 years of focus on this single raw material. The company describes itself as a top brand in castor oil, supplying high-quality castor oil and castor oil derivatives in a stable manner. Itoho Oil Chemicals operates two main business segments: an oil materials business that supplies high-quality castor oil and castor oil derivatives, and a chemical products business that creates functional products for diverse applications. Its product portfolio includes refined castor oil, castor oil derivatives, compounding ingredients, urethane resin materials, polyols, synthetic lubricant and industrial oil agent raw materials, and additives for paints, inks, and sealants. These products are used across a wide range of industries, including household products, medical devices, cosmetics, marine vessels, vehicles, construction materials, and civil engineering. The company emphasizes that its plant-derived castor oil products offer high safety for humans and low environmental impact, and it is exploring applications such as petroleum substitutes to contribute to the global environment. A key historical milestone came in 1917, when Itoho Oil Chemicals became the first company in Japan to undertake the pressing and refining of castor oil. For decades it imported castor seeds from various countries and pressed them domestically. However, as producing countries began pressing their own seeds to add value, imports became difficult, and since 1995 the company has shifted to importing crude castor oil from India, the world's largest producer. It maintains its own refining operations to meet diverse customer needs. The company is privately held and does not appear to be listed on a stock exchange. It continues to invest in research and development, with its R&D staff directly interviewing customers to develop high-satisfaction products. Recent news from its website includes certification as a 'Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2026' (健康経営優良法人2026) and 'Kurumin' certification (くるみん認定) in 2025, reflecting its focus on employee health and work-life balance. Itoho Oil Chemicals remains a specialized, family-spirited enterprise dedicated to maximizing the potential of castor oil.

Itoho Oil Chemicals Co., Ltd. was founded in 1872 (Meiji 5), during the early years of Japan's modernization. From its inception, the company dedicated itself to the processing and refinement of castor oil, a natural plant oil with unique chemical properties. The corporate philosophy, 'Pursuing the potential of castor oil with single-minded devotion,' has guided its activities for over a century and a half. A defining moment in the company's history occurred in 1917, when it became the first company in Japan to engage in the pressing and refining of castor oil. This pioneering step established Itoho Oil Chemicals as a leader in the field. For many decades thereafter, the company imported castor seeds from various producing countries and pressed them at its own facilities in Japan. This vertically integrated approach allowed it to control quality and supply. However, the global castor oil industry evolved. Producing countries began to press their own castor seeds domestically to capture more value from the supply chain. As a result, importing raw castor seeds became increasingly difficult. In response, Itoho Oil Chemicals shifted its sourcing strategy. Since 1995, the company has imported crude castor oil directly from India, the world's largest producer of castor oil. Despite this change in raw material sourcing, the company has maintained its commitment to in-house refining, ensuring it can meet the diverse needs of its customers with high-quality products. Over the years, Itoho Oil Chemicals expanded its product line beyond refined castor oil to include a wide range of castor oil derivatives and functional chemical products. It developed proprietary series such as URIC, MINERASOL, and A-S-A, serving industries from lubricants and paints to cosmetics and medical devices. The company also invested in research and development, with a focus on applications that leverage castor oil's unique chemical structure — particularly its high ricinoleic acid content — for industrial and environmentally friendly solutions. Today, Itoho Oil Chemicals operates from Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, and continues to position itself as a top brand in castor oil. It emphasizes sustainability, noting that castor plants absorb CO2, and explores applications such as petroleum substitutes. The company remains privately held and is recognized for its employee-friendly policies, having received certifications such as 'Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organization' and 'Kurumin' in recent years.

• 2026

  Certified as Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organization 2026.

• 2025

  Received Kurumin certification for supporting work-life balance.

• 1995

  Shifted from importing castor seeds to importing crude castor oil from India.

• 1917

  Became the first company in Japan to undertake the pressing and refining of castor oil.

• 1872

  Company founded in Japan (Meiji 5).

Top brand in castor oil, specializing in high-quality castor oil and derivatives for industrial, medical, cosmetic, and environmental applications.

• Refined castor oil

  High-purity castor oil available in industrial, refined, and refined deodorized grades for various applications.

• Castor oil derivatives

  Chemically modified castor oil products for industrial uses.

• URIC series

  Urethane resin materials.

• MINERASOL series

  Synthetic lubricant and industrial oil agent raw materials.

• A-S-A series

  Additives for paints, inks, and sealants.

1. 1伊藤製油株式会社 公式サイトitoh-oilchem.co.jp
2. 2ひまし油とは｜伊藤製油株式会社itoh-oilchem.co.jp
3. 3精製ひまし油｜製品案内｜伊藤製油株式会社itoh-oilchem.co.jp
4. 4Wikidata: Itoho OIL Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Japan)wikidata.org
5. 5ひまし油とは｜伊藤製油株式会社itoh-oilchem.co.jp