What Daito Kasei does

Daito Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd., founded in 1950 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a privately held B2B specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on cosmetic raw materials. The company's portfolio centers on surface-treated pigments and powders for color cosmetics, skincare, sun care, and makeup applications, plus proprietary functional ingredients including CELLULOBEADS (biodegradable spherical cellulose particles used as plastic microbead alternatives), SACRAN (a polysaccharide extracted from Suizenji-nori freshwater algae with ~5x the water retention of hyaluronic acid and anti-pollution film-forming properties), CHARCOPOWDER (Kishu binchotan charcoal-derived cosmetic powder), and a suite of surface treatment technologies (S-STM, SFL, MST, PGQ). Technology depth comes from proprietary extraction/processing methods and stacked regulatory certifications (RSPO SCC, COSMOS Approved, FSC, ISO 9001:2015, EFfCI GMP).

The company manufactures at four ISO 9001:2015-certified Japanese factories (Okayama, Fukui, Niigata, Higashiosaka) and one overseas plant, DKIF, in Frépillon, France (established 2015). Sales and technical support are delivered via wholly-owned subsidiaries in France (DAITO KASEI EUROPE, est. 2010), China (2012), and Italy (DAITO KASEI ITALIA, est. 2022), plus a joint formulation development center with CHEMICO Group in Thailand (DCAC/CAHB II, 2018). The revenue model is one-time ingredient sales to cosmetics manufacturers under quote-based B2B pricing, with revenue mix historically shifting from ~70% domestic/30% international to approximately 70% international/30% domestic; revenue base is reported around 5 billion JPY. Go-to-market relies heavily on exhibition participation (in-cosmetics global/Asia/Korea, NYSCC, CITE JAPAN, PCHi, COSMETAGORA, IFSCC conferences) supplemented by regional distributors in India, the UK, and Italy.

Daito Kasei is led by President/Representative Director Waki Yoshinori (脇 祥哲) and Managing Director Tanaka Takumi (田中 巧), operates as a closely-held private company with no disclosed institutional investors, and announced the termination of its non-core resin business in February 2026 to refocus on cosmetic ingredients. The company has won multiple formulation awards including two in-cosmetics global Make-UP Bar Gold Awards (2019, 2022) and is recognized as a Health Management Excellence Corporation in Japan (2022, 2025).

Name

Daito Kasei

Legal name

大東化成工業株式会社 (Daito Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://daitokasei.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Daito Kasei is a privately held Japanese specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1950, Osaka) that makes surface-treated pigments, biodegradable cellulose beads (CELLULOBEADS), and natural actives (SACRAN, CHARCOPOWDER) for cosmetics manufacturers globally, selling via wholly-owned subsidiaries in France, China, and Italy and a Thailand joint venture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Asahi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Cosmetic ingredient sales: B2B manufacturer and supplier of cosmetic raw materials and ingredients to cosmetics companies worldwide. Revenue generated from selling proprietary and licensed ingredient products to cosmetic manufacturers. Sales mix has shifted to approximately 70% international and 30% domestic.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Daito Kasei manufactures and sells surface-treated pigments, functional powders, and proprietary natural/cosmetic raw materials — including CELLULOBEADS biodegradable cellulose beads, SACRAN polysaccharide from freshwater algae, CHARCOPOWDER from Kishu binchotan charcoal, and a broad portfolio of color and skincare ingredients — to cosmetics manufacturers worldwide through its own subsidiaries and distribution partners.

Product overview

Daito Kasei is a cosmetics ingredient manufacturer specializing in surface-treated pigments and functional raw materials. The core product portfolio includes CELLULOBEADS (biodegradable spherical cellulose particles), SACRAN (natural polysaccharide from Suizenji-nori algae), CHARCOPOWDER (Kishu binchotan charcoal), and various surface-treated pigments and powders. The company also offers specialty treatments including S-STM, SFL, PGQ treatments, and rayon fiber. Products serve both skincare and makeup applications, with focuses on sustainability (biodegradable, natural-derived ingredients) and functional properties (moisturizing, anti-pollution, soft-focus effects).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CELLULOBEADS: Biodegradable spherical cellulose particles derived from natural wood cellulose, used as plastic microbead alternatives in cosmetics
• SACRAN
• CHARCOPOWDER

Products and services

• CELLULOBEADS Plant-derived biodegradable spherical cellulose particles offering moisturizing and smooth tactile properties for cosmetic formulations. Available in particle sizes from a few micrometers to 500 micrometers for facial cleansers, makeup products, and soft-focus effects; serves as a plastic microbead replacement using FSC-certified pulp.
• SACRAN (サクラン) Natural polysaccharide with ultra-high water retention (approximately 6 liters of water per gram, ~5x hyaluronic acid) and skin-barrier protective film formation against air pollutants such as tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and PM2.5. Used in moisturizing and anti-pollution skincare formulations.
• CHARCOPOWDER Cosmetics-grade powder made from Kishu binchotan charcoal sourced from ubame oak trees in Wakayama Prefecture, used as an ingredient in cosmetic formulations for color, absorption, and natural sourcing positioning.
• Surface-Treated Pigments and Powders Surface-treated inorganic oxide pigments, ultraviolet absorbers, and scattering agents for color cosmetic and skincare formulations. Specialized treatments include S-STM (rapeseed-derived stearic acid), SFL (wet-process foundation), MST, and PGQ (plant-derived) treatments to improve dispersion, skin feel, and formulation compatibility.
• Daito Kasei Cosmetic Ingredient Portfolio (化粧品原料) Broader B2B portfolio of cosmetic raw materials, including surface treatment agents, emollients, and functional ingredients categorized under ink (インキ) and chemical ingredients for cosmetic applications. Serves skincare, makeup, sunscreen, and personal care manufacturers globally.
• MAKIGREEN AP PLUS Deodorant-use cosmetic ingredient introduced at in-cosmetics global 2018, sold as a standalone functional raw material to cosmetics manufacturers.

Quantifiable outcome

• CELLULOBEADS is biodegradable and serves as an alternative to plastic microbeads contributing to marine pollution
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Responsible Mica InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Global organization dedicated to eradicating child labor in mica mining in India and establishing a fair, responsible, and sustainable mica supply chain. Daito Kasei became a member in July 2022 to ensure human rights and sustainability considerations in its supply chain.
• DAITO KASEI ITALIA (DKI)coreOthers · 11 January 2022Established in January 2022 in Crema, Italy. Second European subsidiary following DKE in France. Serves Italian and broader European cosmetics companies with ingredients and technical support.
• Yamagata University / The University of Electro-Communications (Joint Research)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Ongoing joint research partnerships with Yamagata University and The University of Electro-Communications on the mechanism of 'shittori' (moist feeling) sensation and sensory evaluation of cosmetic materials. Research published in monthly magazine 'Kodomo no Kagaku' (Children's Science).
• CHEMICO Group (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 July 2018Joint establishment of DCAC (DAITO CHEMICO ASIA COLOR COSMETICS CENTER) and CAHB II (Chemico Asia Health & Beauty Center) in Thailand in 2018. A formulation development and support base serving Southeast Asian customers, combining Daito Kasei's ingredient expertise with CHEMICO Group's regional market presence.
• Wakayama Prefecture / Wakayama Forest Owners' Association (企業の森)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2017Daito Kasei participates in Wakayama Prefecture's 'Corporate Forest' (企業の森) program. The company entered a 10-year agreement on December 14, 2017 to maintain 2.53 hectares of forest in Tanabe City as '笑顔の森-DAITO KASEI-' (Smiling Forest). Activities include tree planting and grass cutting, contributing to environmental conservation and regional community engagement.
• Rengo Co., Ltd. (レンゴー株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Joint research presentation at IFSCC Congress 2022 London on cosmetic applications using unmodified cellulose nanofiber as a novel gel-type ingredient.
• DAITO KASEI INDUSTRIES FRANCE (DKIF)coreOthers · 1 January 2015Daito Kasei Group's first overseas manufacturing base, established in France in 2015. Located in Frépillon, France. Provides manufacturing capability to serve European customers smoothly with high-quality products.
• DAITO KASEI CHINAcoreOthers · 1 January 2012Established in China in 2012 as Daito Kasei's subsidiary serving the Chinese market, providing sales and technical support for cosmetic ingredient customers in China.
• DAITO KASEI EUROPE (France)coreOthers · 1 January 2010Established in France around 2010 as Daito Kasei's first European subsidiary. Manages sales, technical support, and formulation development for European cosmetics manufacturers. Won multiple EU formulation awards including Make-UP Bar Award gold (2019, 2022).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Miyoshi Kasei: Miyoshi Kasei is a Japanese specialty chemical manufacturer focused on surface-treated pigments and functional powders for color cosmetics. It is the closest direct peer to Daito Kasei in technology positioning, customer base, and product portfolio.
• Kobo Products: Kobo Products is a US-based developer and supplier of surface-treated pigments, microspheres and specialty powders for the cosmetics industry. It competes head-to-head with Daito Kasei in treated powders and biodegradable bead alternatives for global cosmetic brands.
• Sensient Cosmetic Technologies: Sensient's Cosmetic Technologies division supplies colors, pigments and functional ingredients to global cosmetic manufacturers. It overlaps with Daito Kasei's surface-treated pigments, effect pigments and natural ingredient portfolio across makeup and skincare applications.
• Geotech International: Geotech International is an Italian manufacturer of effect pigments and surface-treated powders for color cosmetics, founded as a spin-off of Geotech itself. It is a direct European competitor in the same specialty pigments space as Daito Kasei.
• Nihon Koken Kogyo (Japan Carlit): Nihon Koken Kogyo is a Japanese manufacturer of inorganic pigments and specialty chemicals with applications in cosmetics, inks and coatings. It competes with Daito Kasei in pigment supply for cosmetic formulators, especially in the Japanese market.
• Toyo Aluminium K.K. Toyo Aluminium produces aluminium pigments, metallic effect pigments and surface-treated powders for cosmetics and industrial coatings. It overlaps with Daito Kasei in treated effect pigments sold to cosmetic manufacturers.

Broad incumbents

• Merck KGaA (Surface Solutions / Rona): Merck KGaA's Performance Materials business (including the Rona brand of effect pigments and Ronaflair cosmetic pigments) is a global broad incumbent with significantly greater R&D and distribution scale than Daito Kasei, but overlapping customer base in cosmetic pigments and effect materials.
• BASF Colors & Effects (now part of Sun Chemical): Sun Chemical / DIC (including the BASF Colors & Effects portfolio acquired in 2021) is a global broad incumbent in pigments and effect pigments serving cosmetics, coatings, plastics and inks. It competes with Daito Kasei at the high end of cosmetic pigments with vastly greater scale.

Regional players

• CQV (Korea): CQV is a South Korean manufacturer of effect pigments and cosmetic-grade color materials primarily serving Asian markets. It is a comparable specialty pigment supplier, particularly relevant as a regional competitor in Korea and broader Asia where Daito Kasei is also expanding.

Emerging players

• Koel Colours Pvt. Ltd. Koel Colours is an Indian manufacturer of cosmetic pigments and pearlescent effect pigments. It is a smaller, emerging competitor targeting similar cosmetic brand customers, especially in Asia, with overlap in treated pearl and metallic effect pigments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/daito-kasei-europe-sas

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Daito Kasei