Michelman signs JV with Japan based Maruyoshi Chemical

Maruyoshi has taken a majority position in the JV, which is named Maruyoshi Michelman Co. Ltd. Mr. Nobuyuki Hashizume, President of Maruyoshi Chemical Co., has been appointed Director and President, and Mr. Steven Wong, Michelman’s Asia-Pacific Managing Director, has been named the Director and Managing Officer. Michelman has assumed a minority position and will support the JV through strategic market development.

The joint venture will be located in Gifu and combines the strengths of both Michelman and Maruyoshi. Customers will have access to innovative waterborne emulsion technology, state of the art manufacturing, an experienced technical sales and support team, deep knowledge of Japanese as well as global chemical regulatory issues, and emulsion technology experience across numerous industries. The JV is committed to helping Japanese customers doing business domestically and overseas develop and deliver world-class formulations that will give them a competitive edge.

Products offered through the JV will be available globally through a combination of channels. Existing customers for JV products will continue to be handled by Maruyoshi Chemical’s trading business. New customers will be served by Maruyoshi Chemical, or through Michelman’s global sales and support teams.

According to Mr. Steve Shifman, President and CEO at Michelman, “We have long admired Maruyoshi for the innovative solutions they bring to the market. They listen closely to their customer’s needs, they’re agile and responsive, and focus on developing deep, collaborative relationships that result in custom, technically superior formulations. Bringing our two companies together allows us to offer Japanese customers a rare combination of talent.”

About Michelman

Michelman is a global developer of water-based barrier and functional coatings for flexible film packaging, paperboard, and corrugated cartons; and water-based surface modifiers, additives and polymers for numerous industries including wood and floor care, industrial coatings, inks, fibers, composites, and construction products. Michelman serves its multinational and regional customers with production facilities in the U.S., Europe and Singapore, and a worldwide network of highly trained field technical support personnel.

About Maruyoshi Chemical

Maruyoshi Chemical is a manufacturer of specialty emulsions and a trading company of chemical products based in Gifu, Japan. The company started as a distributor of chemical products in 1970 and began production of emulsions in 1993.

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