Fimatec LTD

What Fimatec LTD does

Fimatec LTD (株式会社ファイマテック), founded in 1987 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, is a privately held Japanese specialty minerals producer and distributor serving paper, plastics, coatings, adhesives, rubber, agriculture, and emerging battery applications. The company manufactures wet-ground calcium carbonate slurries (FMT series), surface-treated functional calcium carbonate powders (AFF series), halloysite-based flame retardant additives (AFF-FR), magnesium hydroxide non-halogen flame retardants (Junmagu), and refines nanosilicon from halloysite under a proprietary patent. Its core technology platform is sub-micron wet grinding combined with cationic polymer surface treatment, which enables functionalized mineral fillers that improve paper brightness/gloss, resin mechanical and flame retardancy properties, and barrier/adhesion performance. Fimatec also holds exclusive Japanese distribution rights for Applied Minerals DRAGONITE halloysite, Specialty Minerals PCC/talc, BASF kaolin, EcoSynthetix biopolymers, and Universal Matter graphene, giving it a broad specialty-mineral distribution franchise layered on top of its own manufacturing.

Fimatec operates four domestic manufacturing sites (Fuji, Soma, Tamano, and Shiraoi via the F.O. Tech JV with Oji Holdings), plus joint ventures in Thailand (F.M.T.(Thailand), est. 1995) and Malaysia (TG FMT Sdn Bhd with Top Glove, est. 2017), and a Seattle sales office (FIMATEC U.S.A). Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales of proprietary manufactured minerals, exclusive distribution of imported specialty minerals, OEM fertilizer production, and plant equipment sales, supported by an internal technical sales team and website-driven sample requests and inquiries. The company is privately held by founding families and institutional trading company investors (Tatsumi Shokai, Nippon Cement, Mitsui, Mitsubishi Corporation), with no public listing, no venture funding, and a modest registered capital base of 180 million yen.

Name

Fimatec LTD

Legal name

株式会社ファイマテック

Website

https://fmt.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fimatec LTD is a privately held Japanese specialty minerals producer and distributor (founded 1987, ~72 employees) that manufactures wet-ground calcium carbonate, surface-treated functional fillers, halloysite-based flame retardants, and nanosilicon for paper, plastics, rubber, coatings, adhesives, agriculture, and battery customers across Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Industrial Minerals

NAICS

Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing (327992), All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (32799)

SIC

Abrasive, Asbestos & Misc Nonmetallic Mineral Prods (3290), Mining & Quarrying Of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels) (1400), Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber- & Mineral-Filled Reinforced Compounds (Glass/Carbon/Talc/CaCO3) (IMANABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Talc & Pyrophyllite (IMAEAFAC), Industrial Minerals Trading (Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Borates, Barite, Talc) (IMAKAJAF), Fertilizer Raw Materials & Intermediates (Phosphate Rock, Sulfuric/Phosphoric Acid, Potash Ore/Brines) (AFABABAH)

Keywords

• Industrial minerals
• Functional fillers
• Wet-ground calcium carbonate
• Halogen-free flame retardants
• Specialty mineral distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial mineral product sales: Direct sale of proprietary mineral products (FMT calcium carbonate slurry, AFF functional powder fillers, Jun-mag magnesium hydroxide flame retardants, DRAGONITE halloysite, specialty PCC/talc) and commodity minerals (fertilizers, kaolin) to industrial manufacturers. Products manufactured in-house or imported and processed/distributed.
2. Fertilizer import and distribution: Import and distribution of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium compounds, slow-release fertilizers, soil amendments, hydroponic fertilizers) sourced from domestic and international suppliers. Also manufactures fertilizers via OEM for agricultural customers.
3. Plant equipment sales: Sales of mineral processing equipment including high-viscosity transfer pumps, S.S. screens, RF valves, and other plant machinery to support mineral processing operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Fimatec LTD produces and distributes specialty industrial mineral products, principally wet-ground heavy calcium carbonate slurries and powders (FMT, AFF, AFF-FR series), magnesium hydroxide flame retardants (Junmagu), halloysite products (DRAGONITE), and nano-silicon refined from halloysite. The company also distributes third-party specialty minerals (PCC, talc, kaolin, biopolymers, graphene) and a comprehensive fertilizer line to industrial manufacturers and agricultural customers in Japan and Asia.

Product overview

Fimatec LTD is a mineral products company offering a comprehensive portfolio of industrial minerals and functional fillers. The core products include the FMT series (wet-ground calcium carbonate slurries for paper coating), AFF series (surface-treated functional calcium carbonate powders for plastics), and AFF-FR series (halloysite-based flame retardant additives). Additional offerings encompass Junmagu magnesium hydroxide flame retardants, Specialty Minerals PCC and talc products, halloysite DRAGONITE™ series for various resin applications, nano-silicon refined from halloysite for batteries, EcoSynthetix bio-based binders (EcoSphere, Durabind), SIMPLA BIOTECH PLA resins, and a comprehensive fertilizer product line covering general, slow-release, and hydroponic fertilizers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FMT Series: Wet-ground heavy calcium carbonate slurry products for paper coating applications.
• AFF Series
• AFF-FR Series
• Junmag Series (ジュンマグシリーズ)
• DRAGONITE™ Series
• PCC / Talc
• EcoSphere™ / Durabind™ Series
• Ecosphere™ Series
• Durabind™ Series
• EcoMer® Series
• EcoStix® Series
• HTR-PLA (High Temperature Resistant PLA)

Products and services

• FMT Series (wet-ground heavy calcium carbonate slurry) Wet-ground heavy calcium carbonate slurry product family for paper coating and filling applications, offered in multiple particle-size grades (FMT-65, FMT-90, FMT-97, FMT-100, FMT-OP) produced at Fimatec's Japanese plants.
• AFF Series (Advanced Functional Filler, surface-treated calcium carbonate) Advanced Functional Filler: ultra-fine calcium carbonate powder with cationic polymer surface treatment (amino groups) for resin property enhancement. Offered in grades including AFF-HS, AFF-CB, AFF-STF, AFF-Z, and AFF-ω, designed for use as functional filler in plastics and resins.
• AFF-FR Series (halloysite-based flame retardant enhancer) Flame-retardant enhancer using halloysite as starting material with proprietary wet grinding and surface treatment to control acid point activation temperature (~200°C). Available in AFF-FR450 and AFF-FR450hr grades for resin systems.
• Junmagu Series (natural magnesium hydroxide flame retardant) Non-halogen flame-retardant series made from naturally mined brucite (blueite) containing magnesium hydroxide, offered in fine and coarse grades with optional surface treatment for resin and rubber applications.
• PCC / Talc (Specialty Minerals distributed products) Distributed precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) and talc from Specialty Minerals Inc. for paper, plastics, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and inks, sold under the Albacar, Albafil, Super-Pflex, Ultra-Pflex, and MicroTuff grade families.
• DRAGONITE Halloysite Series High-purity natural nanotube aluminosilicate clay mineral from Applied Minerals Inc., distributed exclusively by Fimatec in Japan for flame retardancy, adhesion improvement, and property enhancement in resin systems; includes Dragonite HP-A grade.
• Nano Silicon (refined from halloysite) Patent-based high specific surface area nano-silicon (Si) refined from high-purity US halloysite, with 10–50nm primary particle size and carbon-coating capability for battery applications such as silicon anodes.
• Eco/Bio Polymer Products (EcoSphere, Durabind, EcoMer, EcoStix, HTR-PLA) Bio-based binders, adhesives, and resins distributed by Fimatec, including EcoSphere biolatex (starch-based paper coating binder), Durabind (formaldehyde-free wood panel binder), EcoMer plant-derived macromer, EcoStix water-based adhesive, and SIMPLA BIOTECH heat-resistant PLA resin.
• Fertilizers (general, slow-release, hydroponic, and soil conditioners) Comprehensive fertilizer portfolio imported, distributed, and partially manufactured (OEM) by Fimatec, including general fertilizers, slow-release fertilizers, hydroponic fertilizers, and soil conditioners, covering NPK and micronutrient inputs for agricultural customers.
• Russian Natural Magnesium Hydroxide (ECOPIREN grades) Natural magnesium hydroxide flame retardant ECOPIREN grades from Russia, processed and exported by Fimatec as a non-halogen flame retardant with stable supply and cost advantages, available in 3.5μm, 5μm, and 10μm grades.

Quantifiable outcome

• HDPE bending modulus improved by 20% with HP-modified Dragonite HP-A at 1% loading
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Universal Matter Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Fimatec acquired domestic (Japan) exclusive distribution rights for Universal Matter graphene products in September 2025, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of F.O. Tech.
• BASFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Acquired domestic (Japan) sales agency rights for BASF kaolin products in 2021.
• TG FMT Sdn Bhd (Top Glove joint venture)coreOthers · 1 April 2017Joint venture with Top Glove (world's largest rubber glove manufacturer), established in Malaysia in April 2017. Factory commenced operations March 2018 and expanded in June 2021. Produces GCC mineral fillers for rubber glove production consumed internally by Top Glove.
• Applied Minerals Inc. (AMI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2016Exclusive Japanese distribution rights for Applied Minerals' DRAGONITE brand halloysite products. Applied Minerals is the sole large-scale producer of high-purity halloysite in the US. Fimatec is the only sales agent in Japan.
• EcoSynthetix Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Exclusive import distribution agreement for EcoSynthetix bio-based polymer products including EcoSphere (starch-based binder for paper coating), Durabind (formaldehyde-free wood panel binder), EcoMer (plant-derived macromonomer), and EcoStix (water-based adhesive).
• Specialty Minerals Inc. (SMI) / スペシャリティーミネラルズFMTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1997Exclusive domestic (Japan) sales agency agreement for Specialty Minerals Inc. PCC (precipitated calcium carbonate) and talc products. SMI is a global manufacturer of PCC, talc, limestone, and dolomite. Fimatec has handled SMI products since 2006.
• F.M.T.(Thailand) Co., Ltd.coreOthers · 1 June 1995Joint venture company established in Bangkok, Thailand in 1995. Produces GCC (ground calcium carbonate) for paper, white board, and rubber glove manufacturers in Southeast Asia. Celebrated 30th anniversary in June 2025.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Omya: World's largest ground calcium carbonate (GCC) producer serving paper, plastics, paints, adhesives, and agriculture. Directly competes with Fimatec's FMT calcium carbonate slurry and AFF functional filler lines on technical specifications and customer overlap.
• Minerals Technologies Inc. US-listed parent of Specialty Minerals Inc., Fimatec's PCC and talc supplier partner. Competes through its own precipitated calcium carbonate and talc products in paper, plastics, and adhesives — overlapping directly with the SMI product lines Fimatec distributes in Japan.
• Imerys: Global specialty minerals leader producing calcium carbonate, talc, and functional fillers for paper, plastics, coatings, and rubber. Closest large-scale direct competitor to Fimatec's wet-ground calcium carbonate and talc product lines across the same end-markets.
• Shiraishi Calcium: Japanese calcium carbonate specialist with both GCC and PCC grades. Competes with Fimatec across paper coatings, plastics, and rubber applications in the Japanese market.
• Maruo Calcium: Japanese calcium carbonate producer serving paper, plastics, rubber, and paints. Direct domestic competitor to Fimatec in the GCC/paper coating and functional filler segments within Japan.
• Huber Engineered Materials: Specialty minerals and fillers producer (calcium carbonate, alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide) for plastics, rubber, and flame-retardant applications. Direct competitor to Fimatec's functional filler and ATH/Mg(OH)2 flame retardant product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Quarzwerke GmbH: European specialty industrial minerals producer (quartz, calcium carbonate, feldspar, kaolin). Comparable as a multi-mineral functional filler processor serving similar paper, plastics, and coatings end-markets outside Asia.
• NYCO (a subsidiary of Nippon Sheet Glass): Specialty wollastonite and acicular mineral fillers producer serving plastics, ceramics, and coatings. Adjacent comparable as a functional mineral filler supplier with overlapping customer base, though not a direct calcium carbonate competitor.

Regional players

• Schaefer Kalk GmbH & Co. KG: European ground and precipitated calcium carbonate producer for paper, paints, adhesives, and agriculture. Comparable in product mix but operates regionally in Europe rather than directly competing with Fimatec's Asia-centric footprint.

Others

• Ionel Minerals Holdings LLC / Applied Minerals Inc. Sole large-scale high-purity halloysite producer and Fimatec's upstream supplier (DRAGONITE) and capital investment target. Critical enabler to Fimatec's halloysite and nanosilicon product lines — strategically linked rather than competitive.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Fimatec LTD