Trading a Wide Range of Organic Chemicals, Plastics, and Inorganic Chemicals

We trade an extensive lineup of products, including basic chemicals, plastics, electronic materials, and pharmaceutical raw materials. By leveraging our worldwide sales network, among trading companies we have become one of the largest handlers of organic basic raw materials, synthetic fiber raw materials, sulfur and its derivatives, and plastics. In addition to trading, by investing in businesses we are building a multifaceted portfolio that covers upstream areas through to downstream areas. Consequently, this division includes many major Group companies, such as ITOCHU CHEMICAL FRONTIER Corporation, ITOCHU PLASTICS Inc., and C.I. Kasei Co., Ltd. Also, we are strengthening initiatives for synthetic fiber intermediates manufacturing in China and methanol production in Brunei Darussalam.

Further, we are focusing efforts on creating new businesses that respond to the needs of society. We are actively developing Life & Healthcare initiatives in the pharmaceutical field and bioethanol and rechargeable battery related materials production initiatives in the environmental and new energy fields. In the Life & Healthcare business area, we have begun participating in pharmaceuticals wholesale and pharmacy chain businesses in China. As for rechargeable batteries, with our sights set on increasing demand accompanying the spread of electric cars and hybrid vehicles, we have bolstered businesses that manufacture related components, centered on anode materials for lithium ion batteries. Moreover, we are intensifying efforts in the upstream area for businesses engaged in development and production related to lithium resources. Going forward, we aim to step up our activities and build up premium assets while fostering the strengths of this Division.