Company History

Since its founding in 1949, Ichikawa Co., Ltd. has contributed to the evolution and development of the paper industry through the manufacture of felt. Just as the consumption of paper is often considered a barometer of culture, the history of the paper and pulp industry has progressed in tandem with Japan’s economic growth. Ichikawa, which has supported the industry’s development through numerous patented technologies and product innovations, will continue to provide products that address societal challenges.

Founding Period (1930s–)

Japanese paper, known as “washi,” was traditionally made by drying filtered pulp fibers in the sun or over charcoal. In the 1850s, with the end of Japan’s isolation, Western paper manufacturing techniques began to enter the country, creating the need for felt in the dewatering process. Although the import of felt started alongside the introduction of paper machines, the supply of felt gradually became unstable, impacted by repeated wars. Against this backdrop, in 1918, the predecessor of Ichikawa, Tokyo Blanket Co., Ltd., was established, marking the beginning of the domestic production of felt for papermaking.
Tokyo Blanket was subsequently absorbed and merged into Nippon Felt Co., Ltd., operating under the name, Ichikawa Mill of Nippon Felt. The company overcame a tumultuous era, marked by the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Sino-Japanese War, and World War II, to secure a domestic market share of 90% in 1943. After the war, in 1949, a separate entity was formed from Nippon Felt, and Ichikawa Co., Ltd. was established in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. This new venture, which began amid the chaos of the post-war period, started out with significant debt.
The company’s corporate mottos, which continue to be passed down to this day, are “Business is about people working together in harmony.” “Superior products delivered at an affordable price.” These were taken from the president’s speech at a ceremony to celebrate the establishment of the company. They reflect the corporate culture that has enabled the company to overcome numerous challenges through the tireless efforts of its employees, as well as Ichikawa’s commitment to production.

November 1918	Tokyo Blanket Co., Ltd., that was predecessor of Ichikawa Co., Ltd. was established on the old premises of our former Ichikawa mill.
October 1942	The company was merged with Nippon Felt Co., Ltd. and became the Ichikawa Mill of Nippon Felt.
November 1949	Separated from Nippon Felt Co., Ltd. under the Corporate Recovery and Reorganization Act and established as Ichikawa Co., Ltd. (Head Office:Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture with Capital JPY 10 million).

Woven Felt Era (1950s–)

In the 1950s, paper machines were predominantly low-speed and compact. The felt used was exclusively made from wool and its durability was of significant concern. Aiming to address these challenges, Ichikawa focused on improving quality and attracted attention for its unique development of “tannin treatment,” which it later patented. Ichikawa significantly enhanced the durability of felt through various innovations, including blended felt, hydrophilization treatment (NZ treatment), and melamine resin processing.
As technological development progressed, manufacturing facilities were modernized, leading to increased production capacity. However, improvements in manufacturing capabilities resulted in a shortage of raw wool. In response, Ichikawa developed a unique felt flocking technique that utilized wool scraps and static electricity. This technique, which enabled the commercialization of “Ichiron,” later resulted in numerous patents. Initially, Ichiron was used for interior applications such as carpets, automotive interiors, and railway carriage interiors, and later it began to be exported overseas.
As well as establishing its brand identity as a technology-driven company, Ichikawa also focused on management that emphasized human capital, fostering stable labor-management relations and laying the foundation for growth. Adhering to its two corporate mottos, Ichikawa continued to develop and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1951.

May 1950	Developed felt with nylon mixed weave.
May 1951	Company shares listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
December 1953	December 1953 Started production and sales of Ichiron, an electrostatic flocked carpet.
August 1960	Established subsidiary as Tomobe Industrial Co., Ltd.
December 1961	Established subsidiary as Ichiron Service Co., Ltd.

The Needle Felt Era (1960s–)

In the 1960s, the rapid large-scale development of paper machines advanced significantly. The introduction of machines equipped with double-sided dewatering mechanisms improved dewatering capabilities, further accelerating the production process and achieving remarkable enhancements in paper quality. In response to the growing demand for larger and more durable felt, Ichikawa began the challenge of developing “needle felt,” with a base fabric and batting structure, which differed completely from previously used woven felt. In 1962, a market test was conducted for the first time, receiving favorable reviews. The following year, wide-width needle machines were introduced at the newly established Kashiwa Mill, marking the full-scale production of needle felt. The developed felt was commercialized under the name “IK Kindle King of Needle,” and new products with a high synthetic fiber ratio also emerged.
The transition to needle felt for paper machines progressed rapidly, and Ichikawa celebrated its 20th anniversary during this period of ongoing investment in equipment and technology development.

November 1963	Head Office moved from Ichikawa City, Chiba to Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo (present location).
July 1964	Kashiwa Mill (Kashiwa City, Chiba) newly established and commenced the manufacture of needle felt.
May 1965	May 1965 Started production and sales of detergent for felts.
April 1968	Established subsidiary as Ichike Processing Co., Ltd. partnership.

Needle Felt Era (Bat-on-Mesh) (1970s–)

In the 1970s, with the spread of neutral paper, primarily made using high-quality and medium-quality paper machines, a pressure mechanism using shoe presses was introduced. This innovation significantly improved dewatering performance in the press section of board paper machines without compromising paper quality.
In response to the evolution of paper machines, Ichikawa developed Bat-on-Mesh (BOM) technology. This innovation utilized a base fabric made from mono- and multifilament yarns, which offered superior runnability and dewatering performance compared to traditional spun yarn fabrics. By combining various materials, Ichikawa created foundational products for today’s felt offerings, including Mesh Ace, Flow Ace, High Nip Ace, and Laminated Ace. Notably, the development of the new felt structure, laminate felt, which was adapted for practical use in Extended Nip Press by Beloit Corporation (USA), led to a patent acquisition. Since then, laminate felt has become the industry standard for shoe press felts.
While continuing to develop new technologies for paper machine felts, Ichikawa also advanced its diversification strategy by expanding into the interior design, apparel materials, and environmental conservation sectors. During this period, the company established the IK Distribution Center in Toda, Saitama Prefecture, to secure its market share and began forming sales partnerships with overseas paper manufacturers.

July 1970	Bought out the felt operations of the Nerima Mill of Kanegafuchi Spinning Co., Ltd.
October 1974	Bought out and took over the Tomobe Industrial Co., Ltd. and named their mill the Tomobe Mill (now Kasama City, Ibaraki).
April 1975	Merged around our sales operations, a felt sales agency operations to established a subsidiary known as Ichikawa Commercial Co., Ltd.
October 1975	Established subsidiary as Kashiwa Processing Co., Ltd. as a limited partnership.
January 1976	Established subsidiary as Tomobe Processing Co., Ltd. partnership.
March 1977	Established subsidiary as Ichike Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Era of Diversification, Rationalization, and Internationalization (1980s–)

In the 1980s, the widespread adoption of shoe presses accelerated the speed of machines for Western paper, while the shoe presses used in board paper machines required high dewatering and space efficiency. To meet these requirements, Ichikawa successfully developed “wire-like laminated felt,” in order to obtain a smoother base material.
As the proportion of recycled materials in paper production increased, the burden on felt from harsh cleaning also grew. Additionally, issues related to felt shedding and wear emerged due to the rise of offset and flexography printing. Furthermore, the increasing size and weight of felt highlighted safety concerns during changeovers. To address these labor challenges, Ichikawa focused on seam felt, which was in high demand in the United States. Since introducing compatible products to the market in 1986, Ichikawa has continued to develop seam felt suitable for all types of paper machines.
From an environmental protection standpoint, Ichikawa developed and sold eco-friendly cleaning agents as a specialized tool manufacturer to solve issues caused by traditional felt cleaning agents and to maintain optimal conditions for felt.
Efforts were also made to advance technological development and improve productivity. Manufacturing bases were reorganized, and investments in equipment were made at the Kashiwa and Ichikawa mills. Additionally, a new headquarters was constructed to strengthen the management divisions, and the company’s human resource policy was reviewed to enhance the development of human capital.
Following the low-growth economy caused by the second oil shock, the yen appreciated rapidly and the economy boomed. The 1980s were a tumultuous decade that drew attention to corporate internationalization. Ichikawa’s achievements, having overcome numerous challenges and advanced alongside paper-making technology, were widely recognized within the industry as the company celebrated its 40th anniversary.

December 1982	Established subsidiary as IK Distribution Center Co., Ltd.
November 1984	Established Ichikawa America Inc. as a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Ichikawa Commercial Co., Ltd.
May 1986	May 1986 Withdrew from the interior decoration business division.
June 1986	Merged IK Distribution Center Co., Ltd. with Ichiron Service Co., Ltd. to form the subsidiary IK Service Co., Ltd.(currently consolidated subsidiary).
April 1988	Exported to the U.S. the first belt made expressly for use in shoe presses.
May 1991	Ichikawa America Incorporated changed name to Ichikawa North America Corporation (currently consolidated subsidiary).
April 1993	Took over and merged the subsidiary Ichikawa Commercial Co., Ltd.
April 1994	Merged “Ichike Processing Co.”, “Kashiwa Processing Co.” and “Tomobe Processing Co.” limited partnerships to form the subsidiary “IK Processing Co., Ltd.” partnership (currently consolidated subsidiary).
April 1996	New inception of Iwama Mill (Kasama City, Ibaraki).
August 1996	The subsidiary Ichike Real Estate Co., Ltd. changed its name to IK Agency.
October 1997	Established representative's office in Düsseldorf, Germany.
July 1998	Awarded the “Sasaki Prize” for commendable development work in the manufacture of belts for shoe presses used in the paper manufacturing industry.
October 1998	Closed the Ichikawa Mill and focused production at the Kashiwa and Iwama Mills.

Management Modernization and Internationalization (2000s–)

In the 1990s, the Japanese economy entered a prolonged period of stagnation. A new growth strategy was required, distinct from the previous cost-cutting measures, leading to a series of mergers among major paper manufacturers and significant industry restructuring.
In response, Ichikawa implemented fundamental production structure reforms. To enhance international cost competitiveness, the company established the Iwama Mill. Noticing that the shoe press belts compatible with to the paper-making systems introduced in the 1970s, were exclusively sold by one American company, Ichikawa undertook the challenge of developing its own product, achieving success and commencing exports to the United States. Given that the three major shoe press manufacturers are European companies, Ichikawa subsequently expanded its sales channels in Europe. This keen international business sense and ability to adapt will be significant assets for Ichikawa moving forward.
Felt will continue to be essential for wet system paper-making technology. As the demand for increased speed grows, we must pursue every aspect of the development of new products and materials. With growing expectations for new product development, including felt for closed transfer paper machines, Ichikawa will continue to deliver innovative technologies and products to the world, guided by the spirit of its corporate philosophy.

March 2000	Kashiwa Mill received ISO 14001 certification.
October 2000	Established the Shanghai (China) Representative Office.
October 2001	Converted the Düsseldorf Representative Office to a local incorporated legal entity as Ichikawa Europe GmbH (currently consolidated subsidiary).
October 2002	Exported the first transfer belt to Germany.
March 2003	Secured certification for ISO 9001.
June 2003	Introduced new corporate governance system and Executive Officer Systemand reduced the number of directors, shortened term of office.
April 2004	Established Laboratory for Research and Development (Kasama City, Ibaraki) by putting Research Department and Development Department together.
May 2004	Sales Department, integrated sales operations and technical services, and moved onto the ground of Kashiwa mill from Headquarters.
April 2005	Ichikawa China Co., Ltd. (now a consolidated subsidiary) established in Shanghai to strengthen Group structures for orders receiving and provision of technical services in China.
July 2005	The business name of the company changed to “Ichikawa Co., Ltd.”
	Established subsidiary as Ichikawa Techno Fabrics Co., Ltd. (now a consolidated subsidiary) for industrial operations.
April 2008	Two subsidiaries, “IK Service Co., Ltd.” and “IK Agency Co., Ltd.” combined under the name “IK Service Co., Ltd.”
June 2014	Began sales of Ichiriki belt products for shoe presses.
June 2015	Began sales of the Zimo series of felt products for papermaking.
July 2017	Established a satellite office in Thailand.
July 2018	Ichikawa Asia Co., Ltd. established in Thailand.
May 2019	Iwama Mill received ISO 14001 certification.
April 2022	Shifted from the First Section to the Standard Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
May 2023	Moved the Development Laboratory to the Iwama Factory.