What Ohkawara Kakohki does

Ohkawara Kakohki Co., Ltd. (大川原化工機株式会社) is a Japanese specialty engineering company that designs, manufactures, and sells industrial spray dryers, spray coolers, and related particle processing equipment. Founded in March 1980 and headquartered in Yokohama with a 102-person workforce as of April 2025, the company has accumulated approximately 2,500 spray dryer installations globally (~2,000 in Japan, ~500 overseas) across four primary verticals: ceramics and electronic materials, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, with a secondary position in industrial waste liquid treatment. Customers are unnamed enterprise manufacturers; application examples include fine ceramic powders for mobile phone and computer components, powdered foods (milk, coffee, miso, seasonings), pharmaceutical APIs and excipients, battery cathode/precursor materials, and industrial chemical powders.

The company's core technology centers on three integrated processes — liquid atomization, drying, and particle design — supported by a portfolio of patented components including the Sharp Edge disc atomizer, M-Type Disc, Twin Jet Nozzle, Pressurized Two-Fluid Nozzle, and Low Cap collection system. Product families span the L/OC general-purpose series, F and M ceramics-focused series, the Spray Bag Dryer (developed jointly with TDK to eliminate metal contamination), CL/COC and PL-2/CPL-2 nitrogen closed-circulation models for organic solvents, FGA fluidized granulation units, Twin Jetter NL/RL micro-particle R&D and production models, and original environmental equipment (GASTEM exhaust cooling, zero-drainage systems, SBR superheated steam sterilizers, RH spray pyrolysis, Free Micro Mixer, spray coolers). Engineering validation is anchored by the Powder Technology Research Institute in Fujinomiya, which holds 16 pilot-scale test machines used for customer feasibility studies and collaborative R&D.

The business model is B2B capital equipment sales with high customization: customers follow a structured sales process from inquiry through pilot testing, proposal, design, manufacturing, installation, and commissioning, with pricing on a quote basis. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time custom/OEM and standard-model spray dryer sales, supplemented by aftermarket maintenance, modernization, parts, and paid testing services at the Fujinomiya institute. Domestic Japan sales run through the Yokohama HQ and Osaka office; international sales leverage wholly-owned subsidiaries in Suzhou and Korea, the Shanghai joint venture (established 1996), and authorized sales agents in Taiwan, Italy, the USA, and India. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and operates with no institutional VC/PE backing; ownership remains family-controlled under the Ohkawara family.

Name

Ohkawara Kakohki

Legal name

大川原化工機株式会社

Website

https://oc-sd.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ohkawara Kakohki is a Japanese specialty engineering company that designs, manufactures, and sells spray dryers and related particle processing equipment. It serves enterprise customers across ceramics, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries in Japan and over 20 countries globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Spray Drying Equipment

NAICS

Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Drying & Evaporation Equipment (Dryers, Evaporators, Crystallizers) (IMAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Chemical Processing Equipment (Reactors, Mixers, Agitators) (IMAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Spray dryer equipment
• Industrial drying equipment
• Spray cooling systems
• Powder manufacturing systems
• Particle engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom/OEM Spray Dryer Sales: Design, manufacture, and sale of custom-built spray dryers tailored to customer specifications. Products range from small lab/pilot scale to large production-scale units. This is the primary revenue stream.
2. Standard Model Spray Dryer Sales: Sale of catalog-standard spray dryer series including L/OC, F, M, Spray Bag Dryer, CL/COC, FGA, NL/RL, PL-2/CPL-2 series. Combined with customization options.
3. Maintenance, Repair, and Modernization Services: Aftermarket services including atomizer overhauls, on-site and in-house maintenance, equipment diagnostics, upgrades, and parts supply for existing installations.
4. Testing and Process Development Services: Atomization, drying, and granulation testing services at the Powder Technology Research Institute in Fujinomiya. Customers use these services to validate processes before purchasing equipment.
5. Environmental and Original Equipment Sales: Sale of original environmental equipment including GASTEM exhaust gas rapid cooling systems, zero-drainage equipment, superheated steam sterilization dryers (SBR), spray coolers, and RH series spray pyrolysis units.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ohkawara Kakohki designs, manufactures, and sells industrial spray dryers and spray coolers for converting liquid raw materials into powders, along with complementary environmental and original equipment. The company delivers custom-engineered systems from laboratory/pilot scale up to large production units (drying chambers up to 12 m diameter / 70 m height), supported by proprietary atomization technologies and testing services at its Powder Technology Research Institute. Primary customers are manufacturers in ceramics, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Product overview

Ohkawara Kakohki is a spray dryer engineering company offering a comprehensive portfolio of spray drying equipment and related technologies. The core product line centers on the L/OC, F, M, and specialized series of spray dryers for converting liquids to powders, complemented by original environmental equipment including exhaust gas cooling systems (Gastecum), zero-drainage systems, and the Free Micro Mixer for emulsification. The company also holds proprietary patents for atomization components including the Sharp Edge® disc atomizer, M-Type Disc, Twin Jet Nozzle, and Pressurized Two-Fluid Nozzle. Services span custom design and manufacturing, maintenance, spray/drying/granulation testing at the Fujinomiya Powder Technology Research Institute, and collaborative development support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 粉体技術研究所 (Powder Technology Research Center): Open laboratory facility in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture equipped with 16 spray dryer units and advanced analysis equipment for testing, sample processing, and collaborative R&D.
• シャーペッジ (Sharp Edge®)
• Free Micro Mixer
• ガステム (GASTEM)
• ツインジェットノズル (Twin Jet Nozzle)
• M型ディスク (M-Type Disc)
• ローキャップ (Low Cap)

Products and services

• L/OC Series Spray Dryer General-purpose spray dryer series spanning R&D to production scale (model sizes L-8i, L-12, OC-16, OC-20). Supports both disk and nozzle atomization. Serves customers in food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and ceramics industries.
• F Series Spray Dryer Compact-design spray dryer focused on ceramics and new materials applications. Features a 90° cone angle and Low Cap collection system. Optimized for fine ceramics and inorganic materials manufacturing.
• M Series Spray Dryer Small-particle spray dryer for ceramics and new materials with 60° cone angle. Features high-temperature hot air capability up to 350°C. Atomizer rotational speeds up to 23,000 rpm for M-series fine particle production.
• Spray Bag Dryer (BDP Series) Innovative spray dryer with filter cloth drying chamber replacing stainless steel. Enables metal contamination prevention and easy washing with detachable filter bags. Designed for fine ceramics and chemical products.
• CL/COC Series Spray Dryer Nitrogen gas closed circulation spray dryer for inert atmosphere operation. Enables spraying of flammable organic solvents with oxidation prevention and positive pressure management. Used in ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals applications.
• FGA Series Spray Dryer Fluidized granulation spray dryer with built-in stirred fluidized bed. Produces granular products directly from liquid with continuous operation capability. Serves food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.
• Twin Jetter NL Series Spray Dryer Micro particle R&D spray dryer with Twin Jet nozzle technology. Compact design with sealed circulation options, capable of producing particles of 10 μm and below. Serves pharmaceutical and new materials R&D applications.
• Twin Jetter RL Series Spray Dryer Micro particle small-scale production spray dryer with Twin Jet nozzle. Designed for new materials (battery materials, fine ceramics, fine chemicals). Produces 1-20 μm particles.
• PL-2/CPL-2 Series Spray Dryer Compact nitrogen gas closed circulation spray dryer for laboratory/development use. Desktop-sized unit for organic solvent applications with optional solvent recovery unit. Serves ceramics, chemicals, and pharmaceutical applications.
• RH Series Spray Thermal Decomposition System Spray thermal decomposition system for instant powder production from metal salt solutions at temperatures up to 900°C. Used for fine ceramics and battery materials applications.
• Spray Cooler Spray cooling granulation system for producing spherical particles from melted materials. Uses cooling air instead of hot air. Serves food, ceramics, and chemical applications for fatty acids, waxes, and other heat-sensitive products.
• Gastecum (ガステム) Exhaust Gas Rapid Cooling System Instant exhaust gas cooling system for dioxin and hazardous gas removal from incinerators. Achieves cooling from 900°C-300°C to 200°C-150°C within 1 second to suppress dioxin regeneration.
• Zero Drainage Equipment (無排水設備) Continuous spray dryer system for factory wastewater treatment. Evaporates water as harmless vapor and recovers solid residue for recycling or volume reduction. Targets factory effluent reduction and zero liquid discharge.
• SBR Superheated Steam Dry Sterilization Device Batch-type superheated steam dryer for food sterilization and cooking. Uses superheated steam at atmospheric pressure for gentle, safe drying with sterilization capability.
• Free Micro Mixer Emulsification, dispersion, and mixing device using metal ball mechanism. Media-free design prevents contamination. Continuous operation capability from 27 L/hr to 960 L/hr.
• Custom / OEM Spray Dryer Design and Manufacturing Bespoke design, manufacturing, and sale of spray dryers tailored to customer specifications, ranging from small lab/pilot units to large production systems (up to 12 m drying chamber diameter / 70 m height). Includes customization options integrated with standard model platforms.
• Spray Dryer Maintenance, Repair, and Modernization Services Aftermarket services for installed spray dryer equipment, including atomizer overhauls, on-site and in-house maintenance, equipment diagnostics, upgrades based on operating data, and parts supply for existing installations.
• Spray Drying / Granulation Testing and Process Development Atomization, drying, and granulation testing services at the Powder Technology Research Institute in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka. Uses 16 spray dryer test machines and analysis equipment for customer process validation, sample manufacturing, and contract process development before commercial equipment purchase.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500+ cumulative spray dryer installations (domestic ~2,000 + overseas ~500) as of April 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Freund-Vector Corporation (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Distribution and licensing agreement signed August 2021 with Freund-Vector Corporation (USA). Joint development program resulting in pharmaceutical spray dryers VSD-200 and VSD-800 for feasibility, formulation development, and clinical supplies. GMP compliant with FDA guidelines.
• Ohkawara Korea Co., Ltd. (Ohkawara Korea)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Wholly-owned sales subsidiary established in Korea in 2013. Handles sales agency operations for Ohkawara products in Korea and manufacturing/sales of large production machines domestically.
• Nol-Tec Europe Srl (Italy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013European business partner alliance. Handles sales and support in the European market.
• Paltek Corporation (パルテック株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Sales alliance signed in 2007 for 'High Palcon' pulse instantaneous drying system. Paltek was made a subsidiary in August 2007 and became a 100% subsidiary in April 2009 for continuous manufacturing and sales of the product.
• Shanghai Ohkawara Dryers Co., Ltd. (上海大川原乾燥設備有限公司)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Sino-Japanese joint venture established in Shanghai, China in 1996 for designing, manufacturing, and selling spray dryers for the Chinese domestic market and export. Supports Chinese users requiring local production and technical support.
• DeRight Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized sales agent in Taiwan. Handles resale and local support of Ohkawara spray drying equipment.
• NTE Process Srl (Italy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner alliance in Italy. Handles resale and local support of Ohkawara equipment in the European market.
• Freund Inc. (USA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS sales partner for Ohkawara products. Distributes and supports Ohkawara spray dryers in the North American market.
• Seo Gang Engineering Co., Ltd. (Korea)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized sales agent in Korea providing local sales and support for Ohkawara equipment.
• New Era Dairy Engineers India Pvt. Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent agreement established October 2013 for India market. Handles resale and support of Ohkawara equipment in the Indian market.
• Ohkawara Powdertech (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (大川原粉体技術(蘇州)有限公司)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned (100%) subsidiary established in Suzhou, China in 2002. Provides powder equipment procurement, engineering services, and contract production based on Japanese Ohkawara technology.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• GEA Group: GEA is the global leader in spray drying and evaporation technology through its Niro/GEA Business Unit, offering complete systems for food, dairy, pharma, and chemicals. Direct competitor to Ohkawara in industrial-scale spray drying, with much larger scale, broader portfolio, and stronger global brand recognition.
• Hosokawa Micron: Hosokawa Micron is a Japanese-headquartered global leader in powder and particle processing equipment including spray drying, mixing, granulation, and classification. Japanese peer serving overlapping food, pharma, chemical, and ceramics customers with broader processing equipment portfolio.
• Coperion (Hillenbrand): Coperion is a global leader in powder processing, bulk material handling, and compounding systems, serving chemical, food, pharma, and battery material manufacturers. Adjacent peer in industrial powder processing equipment with overlap in drying/granulation systems.

Direct peers

• SPX FLOW (Anhydro): SPX FLOW's Anhydro brand is one of the longest-established spray dryer manufacturers globally, serving food, dairy, chemical, and pharma markets with both standard and custom spray drying systems. Direct peer in industrial spray dryer engineering with comparable custom-engineering business model.
• Buchi Labortechnik: Buchi is a Swiss-based global leader in laboratory and pilot-scale spray dryers, particularly dominant in pharmaceutical R&D and food research applications. Direct peer in the lab/pilot-scale spray dryer segment, often serving the same customers at the pre-commercial testing stage that Ohkawara's Fujinomiya R&D institute targets.
• Dedert Corporation: Dedert is a US-based engineering firm specializing in spray drying, evaporation, and crystallisation equipment for chemical, food, and environmental applications. Direct peer in custom industrial spray dryer engineering with similar mid-sized custom engineering profile.
• Freund-Vector Corporation: Freund-Vector is a US-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical processing equipment including spray dryers, granulators, and coating systems, and is Ohkawara's North American distribution and co-development partner. They jointly developed the VSD-200 and VSD-800 pharmaceutical spray dryers under a 2021 licensing agreement.

Emerging players

• SiccaDania: SiccaDania is a Denmark-based spray drying and evaporation specialist serving dairy, food, and chemical industries with custom-engineered systems. Comparable to Ohkawara as a focused mid-sized spray drying engineering company with strong dairy industry focus.

Regional players

• Yamato Scientific: Yamato Scientific is a Japanese manufacturer of laboratory and industrial drying, sterilization, and powder processing equipment, including spray dryers. Regional Japanese peer with comparable customer base in food and pharmaceutical R&D applications.

Others

• Procept BioRobotics-style spray dryer specialist (OKAWARA): OKAWARA Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (大川原製作所) in Shizuoka is Ohkawara Kakohki's former parent company, still active in industrial drying and related powder processing equipment. Sibling/legacy entity with overlapping spray drying expertise; useful as a regional comparable in the Japanese industrial drying market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 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 Ohkawara Kakohki