Meiji Rubber & Chemical

What Meiji Rubber & Chemical does

Meiji Rubber & Chemical Co., Ltd. is a privately held Japanese industrial rubber and plastics manufacturer founded in 1900 in Tokyo, organized into five business segments: (1) Printing Equipment (offset rubber blankets for commercial, packaging, and currency printing); (2) Synthetic Resin (plastic pallets, containers, rainwater storage units, recycled resin modifiers, and synthetic wood); (3) Industrial Supplies (anti-vibration rubber, rollers, marine fenders, and office equipment rubber parts); (4) Flex Hoses (multi-layer laminated composite hoses for chemical, oil, cryogenic, food, and marine cargo applications); and (5) Automotive Parts (brake, power steering, fuel, and oil cooler hoses through subsidiary Meiji Flow Systems). Core technology centers on proprietary composite hose design with triangular wire internal surface, mechanical crimp connection (Patent 3556278), the NoHCl recycled-resin modifier, and offset blanket formulations adopted by the National Printing Bureau. Manufacturing spans 15+ consolidated subsidiaries across Japan, China, Germany, Hungary, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, supported by ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 certifications.

The company generates revenue through B2B direct sales of industrial hardware products to enterprise customers in printing, chemical/oil, automotive OEM, logistics, marine, and construction end markets. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; products are sold via regional sales offices in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, plus overseas subsidiaries and local distributors in Asia and Europe, with demand-generation through international trade shows such as All in Print China and IGAS. Both one-time equipment sales and recurring replacement/service parts contribute to revenue, with the automotive hose business (Meiji Flow Systems, IATF 16949 certified in 2023) representing a dedicated OEM-focused subsidiary. As of June 2025, Kazuyuki Hayano serves as President and Representative Director following the elevation of former President Yoshio Iwasaki to Chairman.

Name

Meiji Rubber & Chemical

Legal name

株式会社明治ゴム化成 (MEIJI RUBBER & CHEMICAL CO.,LTD.)

Website

https://meiji-rubber.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Meiji Rubber & Chemical is a 120-year-old Japanese manufacturer of industrial rubber and plastic products — offset printing blankets, composite hoses, plastic pallets and containers, anti-vibration rubber, and automotive brake and steering hoses — serving printing, chemical, logistics, and automotive customers globally through 15+ subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Rubber and Plastic Products Manufacturing

NAICS

Rubber Product Manufacturing (3262), Rubber Product Manufacturing for Mechanical Use (326291), Plastics Product Manufacturing (3261)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Matting, Flooring & Safety Rubber Products (IMANALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

General-Purpose Rubber Compounds (NR/SBR/BR/EPDM) (IMANAJAA), Styrenics & Specialty Copolymers Manufacturing (ABS, SAN, ASA, SBS/SIS) (IMANAAAE)

Keywords

• Rubber blankets
• Composite hoses
• Anti-vibration rubber
• Plastic pallets
• Automotive brake hoses

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Rubber and Plastic Products Manufacturing and Sales: Meiji Rubber & Chemical generates revenue through the manufacture and direct sale of industrial rubber and plastic products across five business segments: printing equipment (rubber blankets), synthetic resin (plastic pallets, containers, recycling), industrial supplies (anti-vibration rubber, rollers, marine fenders), flex hoses (composite hoses for chemical/oil/food applications), and automotive parts (brake hoses, power steering hoses, fuel hoses through subsidiary Meiji Flow Systems). Revenue is derived from both one-time product sales and ongoing replacement/service parts to industrial customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Meiji Rubber & Chemical manufactures and sells industrial rubber and plastic products across five business groups: (1) offset printing rubber blankets for package, commercial, and specialty printing including currency-grade blankets; (2) composite industrial hoses for chemical, oil, solvent, food, cryogenic, and marine cargo fluid transfer; (3) plastic containers, pallets, rainwater storage units, recycled resin modifiers, and synthetic wood for logistics and construction; (4) anti-vibration rubber, industrial rollers, roll products, marine fenders, and office equipment rollers; and (5) automotive hoses (brake, power steering, fuel, oil cooler) produced via subsidiary Meiji Flow Systems. The company sells exclusively B2B to industrial and enterprise customers through direct sales offices in Japan and overseas manufacturing subsidiaries across Asia and Europe.

Product overview

Meiji Rubber & Chemical is a diversified rubber and plastic products manufacturer organized into five business groups: (1) Rubber Blanket Group producing offset printing blankets for package, commercial, and specialty printing; (2) Flex Hose Group manufacturing composite hoses with multi-layer resin/film/wire construction for chemical, oil, food, cryogenic, and marine applications; (3) Synthetic Resin Group producing plastic containers, pallets, rainwater storage units (Aqua Trap), recycled resin modifiers (NoHCl), and synthetic wood (Ceruca Board); (4) Industrial Rubber Products Group offering anti-vibration rubber, rollers, roll products, marine fenders, and automotive molded parts; and (5) Automotive Parts Group (operated via subsidiary Meiji Flow Systems) producing brake, power steering, oil cooler, and fuel hoses. The company maintains global production bases in Japan, China, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• コンポジットホース® (Composite Hose): Multi-layer composite industrial hose reinforced with internal and external wire spirals, used in chemical, oil, food, and marine applications. Registered trademark of Meiji Rubber & Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Aqua Trap® (アクアトラップ®)
• Celuca® (セルカ®)
• NoHCl (ノークル®)

Products and services

• Rubber Blanket Group (印刷機材グループ) Offset printing rubber blankets for package printing, commercial printing (magazines, flyers), food packaging, cup noodle containers, metal plates, and currency printing. Used by commercial and packaging printers and printing press manufacturers requiring high ink transfer, dot reproduction accuracy, durability, and compatibility with UV and oil-based inks.
• Composite Hose (Flex Hose) Group (フレックスホースグループ) Industrial composite hoses for chemical transfer, oil/solvent transfer, food applications, cryogenic liquids, fire-resistant applications, tank lorry loading, and marine cargo handling. Used by chemical plants, oil refineries, steel mills, food processors, tank lorry operators, and ship cargo handlers requiring chemical resistance, leakage prevention, and reduced pressure loss.
• Flex Hose Fittings (専用継手) Original fittings and couplings for composite hoses in various thread types, flange types, pipe types, and coupling styles. Sold as accessories for Meiji composite hose installations.
• Plastic Container (プラスチックコンテナー) Plastic containers for logistics and packaging, including bottle containers for beverages and dairy products and folding containers. Used for transporting bottles, cups, and various goods in closed-loop distribution.
• Plastic Pallet (プラスチックパレット) High-strength plastic pallets with top-bottom weld foam structure for logistics. Available in various sizes and configurations including single-side and double-side use, serving logistics and distribution customers.
• Aqua Trap (アクアトラップ®) Rainwater Storage Unit Plastic rainwater storage and infiltration facility structural units for underground installation in parking lots and roads. Used for temporary rainwater storage and controlled release to prevent flooding and enable groundwater recharge. Co-developed and co-trademarked with Tokyu Construction and Takiron C.I.
• NoHCl (ノークル®) Recycled Resin Modifier Recycled resin modifier that suppresses acidic gases (including hydrogen chloride) generated during material recycling of waste plastics containing PVC. Prevents corrosion of molding equipment and reduces maintenance costs in plastic recycling operations.
• Ceruca Board (セルカボード®) Synthetic Wood Synthetic wood product made from polypropylene or polyethylene using low-foam extrusion (Celca Process). Features high-density skin layer, high strength, light weight, durability, and hygiene. Used for truck bed materials and other applications.
• Anti-Vibration Rubber (防振ゴム) Vibration, noise, and shock absorption rubber products for industrial machinery, defense equipment, and wind power generators. Custom-designed based on customer specifications for equipment shape and application requirements.
• Roller Parts (roller components) Elevator and escalator rollers, hanger rollers, guide rollers, and step rollers. Developed with vulcanized rubber bonding technology for superior adhesion between fittings and various rubber and urethane materials.
• Roll Products (ロール製品) Large-scale rubber rolls, urethane rolls, and steel manufacturing rolls for paper manufacturing and steel production lines. Materials tailored to specific application requirements.
• Marine Engineering Products (海洋土木製品) Fender products that absorb ship berthing shock, including general-purpose, high-performance, fishing port, and large fenders. Also includes Caisson Friction Augmenting Mattress (Caisson Rubber) that increases friction coefficient of caisson foundations to 0.8 with 30% laying rate and maintains 95% of friction coefficient after 50 years.
• Office Equipment Rollers (事務用機器ローラー) Rubber rollers for copy machines, printers, and other office automation equipment. Includes transfer rollers and precision molded products supporting office equipment manufacturing.
• Automotive Molded Products (自動車用型物製品) Dust covers and sponge gaskets for automotive applications. Mass-produced and aftermarket products delivering safety and reliability to the automotive industry.
• Automotive Parts Group (自動車部品グループ) Five types of automotive hoses essential for vehicle drive and braking: brake hoses (BJ, BP, BY, BM types), power steering hoses, AT oil cooler hoses, engine oil hoses, and fuel hoses. Manufactured by subsidiary Meiji Flow Systems Co., Ltd. The BJ-type and BP-type brake hoses are ranked world No. 1 in low expansion and high durability, respectively.

Quantifiable outcome

• Composite hose cargo loading time reduced by approximately 15% (up to 20% under certain conditions) due to smooth inner surface design
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Shanghai Meiji Rubber Products Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary manufacturing printing blankets and flex hoses in Shanghai, China. Serves as primary Asian production base and exhibition participant (All in Print China) for the printing equipment business segment. Founded 1991.
• I.M.C. GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary in Muelheim am Main, Germany acquired in 1994. Produces printing blankets for the European market. Website: perfect-dot.de
• Meiji Rubber Europe Industrial Products Co., Ltd. (Hungary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary established in Hungary in 2004. Manufacturing facility expanded in 2019 with new building for manufacturing, warehouse, and office functions. Serves European market.
• Meiji Flow Systems Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary established in 2004 to separate and specialize in automotive hose business. Capital: 100 million yen. Produces brake hoses, power steering hoses, fuel hoses, and oil cooler hoses. Headquartered in Kaisei-machi, Kanagawa with Iwata Factory in Shizuoka. IATF 16949 certified (2023).
• Tsukuba Chemical Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary handling plastic recycling business. Operates Tsukuba Factory (Ibaraki) and Mine Factory (Yamaguchi). Certified as Tsukuba SDGs Partners (2023). Performs collection, crushing, and recycling of waste plastic containers and pallets.
• PT. Meiji Rubber IndonesiasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary in Indonesia with two factories (second factory opened 2015). Produces industrial rubber products and automotive parts for Southeast Asian market.
• Meiji Rubber & Chemical (Thailand) Co., Ltd.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture company established in Thailand in 2014. Produces flex hoses and industrial rubber products for Thai and Southeast Asian markets.
• Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner for Aqua Trap rainwater storage products. Joint trademark holders for Aqua Trap and Aqua Pla Method. Collaborative product development for construction applications.
• Takiron C.I. Co., Ltd.secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-trademark holder for Aqua Trap and Aqua Pla Method. Partner in plastic construction product development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Toyoda Gosei: Japanese automotive rubber and plastics manufacturer producing hoses, weatherstrips, and molded plastic components for OEMs; comparable to Meiji's automotive hose and molded product lines, with similar B2B automotive exposure.
• Bando Chemical Industries: Japan-headquartered manufacturer of industrial rubber belts, hoses, and molded rubber products with overlapping customer bases in industrial machinery and automotive; directly comparable to Meiji in product breadth and Japan-listed scale (~3,500 employees).
• Sumitomo Riko: Major Japanese automotive rubber and hose manufacturer producing brake hoses, anti-vibration rubber, and industrial rubber components; directly comparable to Meiji Flow Systems' automotive hose business and anti-vibration rubber line, at much larger scale (~37,000 employees).
• Kuriyama Holdings: US-headquartered manufacturer of industrial rubber hoses and fluid transfer products including chemical and oil-resistant hoses; closely comparable to Meiji's composite hose platform serving chemical, oil, and industrial fluid handling customers.
• Nitta Corporation: Japanese industrial rubber belt, hose, and polyurethane products manufacturer serving industrial automation, printing, and material handling; directly comparable to Meiji's roller and industrial rubber segment.
• Nichias Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of sealing, insulation, and fluoropolymer products for industrial plants, construction, and automotive; overlaps with Meiji's industrial rubber and composite hose offerings to chemical/oil/steel customers.

Broad incumbents

• Hutchinson (TotalEnergies): French industrial rubber products manufacturer producing sealing systems, anti-vibration, fluid transfer, and composite materials for automotive and industrial customers; comparable to Meiji's anti-vibration, hose, and molded rubber offerings.
• Trelleborg AB: Swedish global leader in industrial polymer and rubber solutions including hoses, seals, and anti-vibration components; comparable to Meiji's flex hose and anti-vibration rubber segments but at vastly larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Parker Hannifin: US-headquartered diversified motion and control technologies company with a major industrial hose and fluid-handling portfolio; comparable to Meiji's composite and chemical/oil hose offerings but across far broader aerospace/industrial categories.
• ContiTech (Continental): German industrial rubber and plastic products business (now part of Continental) producing industrial hoses, belts, and molded rubber parts; broadly comparable to Meiji's flex hose and industrial rubber segments at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries16 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 Meiji Rubber & Chemical