HISTORY OF THE TATEHO

Tateho Chemical started from the salt fields of Ako.

Salt production has been carried out in Ako since the Nara period. During the Edo period, the Ako domain operated large-scale the Irihama-style salt fields, producing up to 7% of Japan’s salt. The salt-making techniques that supported the finances of the Ako domain were passed on to various domains in the Seto Inland Sea region. In 1913, salt producers gathered to establish the Ako Nishihama Salt Industry Association.

In 1948, the Ako Nishihama Bittern Chemical Industry was established by members of the Ako Nishihama Salt Industry Association, initiating research and production for the advanced utilization of bittern. In 1950, it was absorbed by the Ako Nishihama Salt Industry Association, but Tateho Chemical has inherited the philosophy of utilizing bittern.

In response to the surplus in the salt industry caused by the transition from the Irihama-style salt field method to the Ryuka-style salt field method, the government expressed its intention to reorganize the salt industry. In 1960, the Ako Nishihama Salt Industry Association became a corporate organization called Ako Seawater Industry.
Furthermore, in 1965, the salt fields were sold, and a new company, Ako Seawater Chemical Industry was established to conduct ion-exchange membrane salt production.
In 1966, Ako Seawater Chemical Industry clarified its identity as a salt company by spinning off its chemical products division, which manufactured products using bittern, into an independent company called Tateho Chemical Industries.