Shofu

What Shofu does

SHOFU INC. (株式会社松風) is a 100+ year-old Japanese dental materials and equipment manufacturer founded in Kyoto in 1922 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (ticker: 7979). The company develops, manufactures, and sells a comprehensive portfolio spanning restorative materials (BEAUTIFIL series), dental cements, artificial teeth (porcelain, synthetic resin, acrylic), CAD/CAM digital dentistry systems (S-WAVE scanners, milling machines, 3D printers), orthodontic products, preventive care materials, and self-care consumer oral care products (Merssage series). Its core proprietary technology is S-PRG (Surface Pre-Reacted Glass ionomer) filler, which underpins the company's branded Giomer product category and provides fluoride release and recharge functionality across restorative, cement, and preventive applications.

The business operates three segments: Dental Business (the core), Nail Care Business (through subsidiary Nail Labo Corporation), and Other Business (industrial rubber abrasives). The Dental Business generates revenue primarily through hardware and consumable sales of materials and equipment to dental clinics, dental laboratories, and dental universities, distributed via dental dealers in Japan and through wholly-owned subsidiaries in the US, Germany, Singapore, India, Brazil, Mexico, the UK, and the UAE. Products are sold to approximately 100 countries, supported by 9 production sites (plus one equity-method affiliate) and a network of 1,413 consolidated employees as of March 31, 2025. Shofu engages dental professionals through the Shofu Dental Club membership program (established 1976), hands-on seminars with Key Opinion Leaders, and showroom demonstrations at its Kyoto headquarters and Tokyo branch.

Shofu's go-to-market combines professional academic engagement with traditional B2B distribution: products are sold exclusively through dental dealers in Japan, supplemented by direct sales to dental universities and showroom-led CAD/CAM demonstrations. The company holds 490 patents globally, operates the Shiga Shofu plant producing 36 million artificial teeth annually (one of the world's largest single-factory artificial tooth production sites), and is pursuing a Fifth Medium-Term Management Plan targeting ¥50.1 billion in Group net sales and ¥7.5 billion in operating income (15% margin) by FY3/28, with a long-term Vision 10 targeting approximately ¥250 billion by 2040. Mitsui Chemicals is the largest shareholder at approximately 20.11% under a capital and business alliance deepened in 2020.

Name

Shofu

Legal name

SHOFU INC.

Website

https://shofu.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SHOFU INC. is a 100-year-old Japanese dental materials and equipment manufacturer serving dental clinics, dental laboratories, and universities worldwide through proprietary S-PRG filler technology, a comprehensive CAD/CAM digital dentistry portfolio, and a global network spanning approximately 100 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dental Materials and Equipment

NAICS

Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (339114)

SIC

Dental Equipment & Supplies (3843)

akta.pro primary industry

Oral Care Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Dental Floss, Whitening) (CRADAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orthodontic & Aligner Care (Cleaners, Cases, Wax) (CRABAFAH), Orthodontic Appliances & Aligners Fabrication (HLABAJAD)

Keywords

• Dental materials
• Dental equipment
• CAD/CAM dentistry
• Restorative dental products
• Artificial teeth manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Kyoto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Dental Business: Core business focusing on research, development, manufacturing, and sale of dental materials for dental clinics and laboratories. Also includes equipment sales and CAD/CAM-based digital solutions. Products include artificial teeth, abrasives, chemical products (composite resins, bonding materials), cements, metals, machinery and equipment.
2. Nail Care Business: Development, manufacturing, and sale of acrylic and gel nail products, nail care items, and nail machines. Operated through subsidiary Nail Labo Corporation and related entities.
3. Other Business (Industrial Abrasives): Development, manufacturing, and sale of industrial rubber abrasives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shofu develops, manufactures, and sells dental materials and equipment for dental clinics and dental laboratories. Core offerings include composite resins and dental cements with proprietary S-PRG (Surface Pre-Reacted Glass ionomer) filler technology branded as Giomer, artificial teeth, CAD/CAM digital dentistry systems (S-WAVE scanners, milling machines, 3D printers, and CAD/CAM materials including zirconia, PEEK, and resin blocks), orthodontic products, preventive care materials, and equipment. The company also offers professional self-care dental products (Merssage series) sold through dental clinics, and operates a separate nail care business through subsidiary Nail Labo.

Product overview

Shofu is a comprehensive dental materials manufacturer offering a broad portfolio of products across multiple categories. The core dental business encompasses CAD/CAM digital solutions (S-WAVE scanner, MD-500S milling machine, 3D printer, and CAD/CAM materials including zirconia, PEEK, and resin blocks), restorative materials (BEAUTIFIL series with proprietary S-PRG filler technology, cement products), artificial teeth (Veracia SA Porcelain), orthodontic products (brackets, archwires, adhesives), preventive care materials (sealants, fluoride products), and dental equipment (scanners, cameras, scalers). The portfolio also includes self-care consumer products (Merssage toothpaste series) for dental clinic sales. The company combines materials science expertise with digital technologies, serving dental clinics and laboratories worldwide through a network of production sites and sales companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Giomer: A product category encompassing dental materials containing proprietary S-PRG (Surface Pre-Reacted Glass) filler technology developed by Shofu. Giomer products release fluoride and other ions to help maintain oral health and prevent caries. The category includes restorative materials, cements, and preventive care products.
• S-PRG Filler
• S-WAVE
• Beauti
• Merz Dental
• Merssage / メルサージュ
• Vintage Art
• 松風歯科クラブ (Shofu Dental Club)

Products and services

• S-WAVE Scanner Desktop scanner that uses light to scan dental impressions and convert them into 3D digital data for CAD/CAM applications, used by dental clinics and dental laboratories.
• MD-500S Dental milling machine used to mill designed crowns and restorations from digital data, used by dental laboratories for prosthetic fabrication.
• S-WAVE 3D Printer IMD-S 3D printer that fabricates dental prosthetics from design data using photopolymerization technology, used by dental clinics and laboratories.
• SHOFU DISK ZR Lucent Supra Zirconia CAD/CAM disc material — a hard, durable ceramic — for digital fabrication of dental crowns and bridges.
• SHOFU BLOCK PEEK PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) CAD/CAM block material covered by health insurance for dental crown fabrication; highly tough and resistant to cracking.
• SHOFU BLOCK HC Series CAD/CAM resin block material covered by health insurance with excellent aesthetics for dental restorations.
• S-WAVE Print Series Resin materials for 3D printing designed for various dental applications using S-WAVE 3D printers.
• BEAUTIFIL Flow Plus X Injectable flowable filling and restoration material containing proprietary S-PRG filler technology; used to fill cavities after caries removal and hardened using light.
• BEAUTIFIL II Packable paste-type filling and restoration material containing proprietary S-PRG filler technology; used to fill cavities after caries removal and hardened using light.
• BeautiLink SA Self-adhesive dental cement containing proprietary S-PRG filler technology used to bond teeth and prosthesis.
• Veracia SA Porcelain Porcelain artificial teeth for denture construction in various colors, shapes, and sizes to suit individual patients.
• EYESPECIAL C-V Digital camera capable of intraoral photography for documenting dental conditions.
• MERSSAGE E-PICK 2in1 Ultrasonic scaler for tooth cleaning that uses ultrasound to remove plaque and dental calculus.
• BeautiSealant Fluoride-releasing dental sealant that prevents cavities by filling the grooves of baby teeth and permanent teeth.
• Hi LiTE Series Teeth whitening/bleaching system available in types for use at dental clinics and types for home use.
• GENIUS Orthodontic brackets that adjust teeth alignment by threading wire into the groove and exerting force on teeth.
• ORTHOLINE ARCHWIRE II Orthodontic archwire where teeth alignment can be adjusted by varying the type and thickness of the wire.
• BeautiOrtho Bond II Orthodontic adhesive used to bond brackets and other orthodontic appliances to teeth.
• SHOFU Diamond Abrasive Diamond abrasive points with diamonds electroplated onto a metal shaft for efficient removal of cavities and tooth structure.
• GLOSSMASTER ZR / SUPER-SNAP Abrasive system for finishing and polishing the surface of crowns and fillings, creating a glossy appearance resistant to stains.
• DURA-POLISH DIA Polishing paste used with abrasives to efficiently create a glossy finish on dental restorations.
• VINTAGE Art Universal Staining material for zirconia ceramics; adding color helps create crowns that closely resemble natural teeth.
• CERAMAGE UP Hard resin for restorations used for coloring crowns, implant teeth, and gingival areas.
• COBARION EX Dental casting alloy used for metal parts of dentures, featuring excellent biocompatibility.
• ARGON CASTER i Dental casting machine used for casting metal parts of dentures using argon atmosphere.
• SHOFU URBAN Heat-curing acrylic resin material forming the gingival portion of dentures.
• Merssage Premium Care Total care toothpaste containing 8 medicinal ingredients for comprehensive oral care, sold through dental clinics to consumers for home use.
• Merssage Perio Care Periodontal disease prevention toothpaste containing medicinal ingredients that suppress gum inflammation, sold through dental clinics.
• Merssage Whitening Care Whitening toothpaste that lifts and removes stains from tooth surfaces using high-cleaning silica and brushing action, sold through dental clinics.
• Merssage Hyscare Toothpaste for sensitive teeth prevention containing two types of medicinal ingredients, sold through dental clinics.
• Merssage Cleargel Fluoride gel for cavity prevention with gel texture that helps retain ingredients on teeth, sold through dental clinics.
• Prophylla Medicinal toothpaste with propolis extract for prevention of periodontal disease and bad breath, sold through dental clinics.
• ai Dental Paste Medicated toothpaste containing indigo extract and propolis extract for prevention of periodontal disease; contains beta-glycyrrhetinic acid and CPC as active ingredients, sold through dental clinics.
• LIPLE TRAINER Oral muscle training device used to train oral muscles, promoting oral health, sold through dental clinics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 million artificial teeth produced annually at Shiga plant - world-class single-factory production scale
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Shenzhen Sunflower Dental LabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Shenzhen Sunflower Dental Lab, a global dental implant service provider, collaborates with Shofu for dental materials. Sunflower operates a 1,500 sqm digital production facility serving markets across US, France, Germany, Singapore, Australia and 10+ other countries.
• Ivoclar VivadentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIvoclar Vivadent, a dental materials manufacturer, is a partner in Sunflower Dental Lab's global network. Collaboration involves dental materials supply and technology sharing.
• VITA ZahnfabrikminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVITA Zahnfabrik, a dental ceramics manufacturer, partners with Shofu through Sunflower Dental Lab network for dental prosthetics materials.
• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital and business alliance established in May 2020. Mitsui Chemicals holds approximately 20% equity stake in Shofu (largest shareholder). Alliance aims to improve global competitiveness in dental business by integrating assets of Shofu, Mitsui Chemicals, and Sun Medical.
• Sun Medical Co., Ltd. (サンメディカル株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital and business alliance established in May 2020. Sun Medical is an equity method affiliate of Shofu. The three-company alliance (Shofu, Mitsui Chemicals, Sun Medical) aims to enhance dental business competitiveness through integrated assets and capabilities.
• Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) - Dentists, Dental Technicians, Dental HygienistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShofu collaborates with leading dental professionals including dentists, dental technicians, and dental hygienists as KOLs. These professionals provide clinical feedback for product development and conduct hands-on seminars globally to train other dental professionals on Shofu products.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GC Corporation: GC Corporation is a leading Japanese dental materials manufacturer producing cements, composites, preventive care, and CAD/CAM products. It directly competes with Shofu across restorative materials, preventive care, and dental laboratory supplies, serving the same Japanese dealer channels and clinical segments.
• Kuraray Noritake Dental: Kuraray Noritake Dental is a Japanese manufacturer of dental adhesives, composite resins, ceramics, and CAD/CAM blocks. It directly competes with Shofu in restorative materials, cements, and prosthetic fabrication across Japanese and overseas dental markets.
• Tokuyama Dental: Tokuyama Dental is a Japanese specialty manufacturer of dental composites, bonding agents, and dental cements. It directly competes with Shofu's BEAUTIFIL and BeautiLink product lines, particularly in the Japanese market and Asia-Pacific region.
• VITA Zahnfabrik: VITA Zahnfabrik is a German dental ceramics manufacturer producing zirconia, lithium disilicate, and traditional porcelains. It directly competes with Shofu's Veracia porcelain teeth and CAD/CAM ceramic disc lines and was identified in the data as a Sunflower Dental Lab network partner.
• Ivoclar Vivadent: Ivoclar Vivadent is a privately held Swiss dental materials manufacturer specializing in ceramics, composites, cements, and digital prosthetics. It directly competes with Shofu's BEAUTIFIL and Veracia lines, and was identified in the data as a partner in Shofu's Sunflower Dental Lab network.

Broad incumbents

• Dentsply Sirona: Dentsply Sirona is the world's largest dental equipment and consumables manufacturer spanning CAD/CAM, implants, orthodontics, and dental materials. It directly overlaps with Shofu's S-WAVE digital dentistry, restorative materials, and prosthetic fabrication product lines but operates at substantially larger scale globally.
• 3M Oral Care (Solventum): Solventum (formerly 3M Health Care, including 3M Oral Care) is a major producer of dental restoratives, preventive products, and orthodontic solutions. It overlaps with Shofu's preventive care, restoratives, and self-care oral product categories but competes across broader categories at much greater scale.

Others

• Henry Schein: Henry Schein is the world's largest dental distributor and a major supplier of dental products, equipment, and consumables. It is comparable to Shofu as an ecosystem participant — it resells competing brands and competes indirectly via private label offerings — rather than as a direct product competitor.
• Mitsui Chemicals (Oral Care Division): Mitsui Chemicals is Shofu's largest shareholder at approximately 20% and operates a Dental Materials Division through Sun Medical and Kulzer. The relationship is an anchor strategic alliance rather than a direct competitor, but Mitsui/Kulzer produces overlapping dental materials globally.

Emerging players

• Coltene Holding: Coltene is a Swiss dental equipment and materials manufacturer focused on endodontics, restoratives, and laboratory consumables. It overlaps with Shofu's restorative and prosthetic product portfolio though at a smaller scale and with narrower geographic reach than Shofu.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shofuinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shofu-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries20 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 Shofu