N.S.K. Co.

What N.S.K. Co. does

N.S.K. Co., Ltd. (NSK), incorporated in March 1995, is a Tokyo-based functional ingredient manufacturer and OEM supplier operating as part of the Noda Shokukin Kogyo Group (founded 1969). The company develops and supplies three proprietary mycelium-based bioactive ingredients — LEM (shiitake mycelium extract, commercialized 1969), MAK (reishi mycelium extract, 1996), and LEF (shiitake-fermented rice bran extract, 2003) — produced through proprietary solid-state and liquid-state fermentation of basidiomycete fungi on bagasse and rice bran substrates. These ingredients, which yield water-soluble lignin and heteropolysaccharides not found in conventional mushroom extracts, support B2B customers in health foods, dietary supplements, functional cosmetics, agricultural inputs, and pet health products.

NSK monetizes through multiple channels: bulk raw material sales (1 kg minimum orders), full-service OEM manufacturing from formulation through delivery for health food and cosmetics brands, contract joint R&D with universities and medical institutions, and direct-to-consumer branded sales via company e-commerce sites (Resante Shop, LEM Barrier, Bio-Edorens) plus a veterinary clinic channel for the LEMPET pet supplement brand. The agricultural side includes Rentemin (Japan's only approved antiviral crop agent, registered 1983) and Bio-Edorens-L biostimulant fertilizer. Manufacturing is consolidated at a JHNFA GMP-certified facility in Noda, Chiba (operated by group company Noda Shokukin Kogyo) with FDA registration for US exports. The business is supported by over 90 patents, 100+ academic publications, and partnerships with approximately 10 Japanese universities and medical centers, and is led by President Dai Iizuka as a private, family-controlled enterprise.

Name

N.S.K. Co.

Legal name

株式会社 エヌ・エス・ケー

Website

https://nsk-lem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Short description

N.S.K. Co. is a Tokyo-based Japanese functional ingredient manufacturer and OEM supplier producing proprietary LEM, MAK, and LEF mycelium extracts via solid-state and liquid fermentation for health food, supplement, cosmetic, agricultural, and pet health applications, supported by 90+ patents and a GMP-certified Noda, Chiba facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Food Ingredients

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)

Keywords

• Mycelium fermentation ingredients
• Mushroom extract raw materials
• OEM supplement manufacturing
• Antiviral agricultural agents
• Biostimulant fertilizer products

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Functional ingredient raw material sales: B2B sales of LEM, MAK, and LEF bulk raw materials (powder form, 1kg minimum orders) to health food, supplement, and cosmetics manufacturers. Revenue generated from ingredient supply contracts with guaranteed quality specifications.
2. OEM manufacturing services: Full-service OEM manufacturing from product planning and formulation through production and delivery. Caters to health foods, dietary supplements, and functional cosmetics manufacturers seeking proprietary mushroom-based products.
3. Direct consumer product sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of branded products including LEMPET pet supplements, LEM Barrier throat lozenges, and Bio-Edorens agricultural products through company e-commerce sites.
4. Agricultural input products: Sale of Rentemin antiviral agent and Bio-Edorens-L fertilizer products containing LEM as active ingredient for organic farming and home gardening applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

N.S.K. Co. develops and supplies fermented mycelium ingredients (LEM shiitake extract, MAK reishi extract, LEF fermented rice bran extract) produced through proprietary solid-state and liquid-state fermentation technology. The company operates a vertically integrated B2B ingredient supply and OEM manufacturing service for health food, supplement, cosmetics, and agricultural companies, while also marketing its own branded consumer products including Shiikin/Lemin supplements, LEMPET pet supplements, LEM Barrier throat drops, and Rentemin antiviral agricultural products.

Product overview

N.S.K. Co. is a functional ingredient manufacturer and OEM supplier specializing in mycelium-based fermented products. The company operates as a group with Noda Shokukin Kogyo (野田食菌工業), offering three core bioactive ingredient brands: LEM (shiitake mycelium extract, since 1969), MAK (reishi mycelium extract, since 1996), and LEF (fermented rice bran extract, since 2003). These ingredients are sold as bulk raw materials for OEM use and also incorporated into proprietary consumer brands including Shiikin/Lemin supplements, LEMPET pet products, LEM Barrier throat drops, and Manuka spray. Agricultural applications include Rentemin antiviral pesticide and Bio-Eden L biostimulant fertilizer. The company provides integrated services from raw material supply to OEM manufacturing and joint product development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEMPET (レムペット): Veterinary-exclusive pet supplement brand featuring LEM (shiitake mycelium extract) for dogs and cats.
• LEM Barrier (LEMバリア)
• LEMIN (レミン)
• 椎菌 (C-Kin / Shikiin)
• レンテミン (Rentemin)
• バイオエドレンス-L (Bio-Edorens-L)

Products and services

• LEM (Shiitake Mycelium Culture Medium Extract) LEM is a bioactive extract derived from solid-state fermentation of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mycelium cultivated for approximately 4 months on bagasse and rice bran medium. Contains heteropolysaccharides and water-soluble lignin with immunomodulating, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. Supplied as bulk raw material (100% purity powder, 1kg minimum order) to health food and supplement manufacturers.
• MAK (Reishi Mycelium Culture Medium Extract) MAK is a bioactive extract from solid-state fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi/Mannotake) mycelium containing low-molecular-weight polysaccharides, water-soluble lignin, beta-glucans, and terpenes. Reported benefits include antitumor, neuroprotective, and metabolic syndrome support. Sold as bulk raw material (100% purity powder, 1kg minimum) to supplement and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• LEF (Shiitake Fermented Rice Bran Extract) LEF is a powdered fermented ingredient produced by applying Shiitake mushroom enzymes to pre-treated rice bran, transforming polysaccharides into functional alpha-glucans and beta-glucans. Used by health food and supplement manufacturers as a fiber-derived functional ingredient.
• Rentemin (Antiviral Pesticide) Rentemin is Japan's first antiviral agricultural product containing 90% shiitake mycelium extract (LEM) as the active ingredient. Used for preventing mosaic virus diseases in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and tobacco. Also functions as plant growth regulator and rooting agent. Approved for organic farming under JAS certification.
• Bio-Edorens-L (Biostimulant Fertilizer) Bio-Edorens-L is a home gardening biostimulant fertilizer containing shiitake mycelium metabolites, natural cytokinin and auxin hormones, and amino acids. Promotes root development (24% increase in root count, 84% increase in root weight in chrysanthemum trials), seedling establishment, stress resistance, and prevents plant aging. Sold to home gardeners and organic farmers.
• Shiikin (C-Kin) Series - Granules and Drinks Shiikin series is a long-standing consumer health product line (53+ years) including fine granules, original fine granules, regular drinks, and concentrated drinks (5x). All contain LEM extract from shiitake mycelium culture medium. Targeted at individual consumers seeking immune support supplements.
• Lemin Series - Powder and Drinks Lemin series is a direct-sales functional food brand with LEM Powder (720mg LEM per 3g packet), Lemin Rich pure powder (1500mg per 1.5g), regular drinks (700mg per 100ml), and Royal concentrated drinks (3500mg per 100ml). Distributed through face-to-face direct sales.
• LEMPET (Pet Supplement) LEMPET is a veterinary-exclusive pet supplement containing LEM (250mg per capsule, 50mg LEM content). Uses human-grade ingredients suitable for dogs and cats. Supports immune health, vitality, and recovery support for aging animals. Distributed through veterinary clinics in Japan.
• LEM Barrier Throat Drops and Oral Spray Throat care consumer product line. LEM Barrier throat drops are green tea flavored with 500µg LEM per piece for throat care when gargling is not possible. Manuka Honey & Chamomile Spray combines Manuka honey, leatherwood honey, chamomile extract, and LEM for oral care. Alcohol-free formula suitable for children and pregnant women.
• OEM Manufacturing Services Full-service OEM contract manufacturing using LEM, MAK, and LEF ingredients. Covers health foods, dietary supplements, functional cosmetics, and agricultural products. Services span product planning, formulation, manufacturing, and delivery from JHNFA GMP-certified facilities with FDA registration. Supports small-lot production for enterprise customers.
• Joint Research & Development Services Collaborative R&D services utilizing proprietary cultivation and fermentation technologies. Engages with universities (Josai, Kindai, Toyama, Tsukuba, UOEH, Fukuoka, Fukuyama) and medical institutions on functional food applications, plant virus inhibitors, and bioactive ingredient development for enterprise partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000-20,000 bottles per day liquid filling capacity with small-lot production capability
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Noda Shokukin Kogyo Co., Ltd. (野田食菌工業株式会社)coreOthersGroup parent company founded 1969. Main manufacturing facility for LEM, MAK, and LEF production. Holds GMP certification and FDA registration. Headquarters located in Noda, Chiba with three production plants and research facilities.
• JHC Co., Ltd. (株式会社ジェイ・エイチ・シー)minorOthersGroup company partner with website at jhc-lem.com. Related entity within Noda Shokukin Kogyo corporate group.
• Josai University (城西大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner conducting joint research on LEM and MAK efficacy. Includes faculty of pharmacy, medical nutrition, and bioscience departments. Multiple co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Kinda i University (近畿大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for cancer and immunology studies involving LEM and MAK. Joint studies on combination therapy with cyclophosphamide for tumor inhibition.
• University of Toyama (富山医薬大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing academic partner with research collaboration dating back to 1990s. Multiple joint studies on LEM immunomodulatory effects and cancer research.
• University of Tsukuba (筑波大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for functional food and complementary/alternative medicine research collaborations.
• University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan (産業医科大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research on LEM and MAK health benefits and biological activity studies.
• Fukuoka University (福岡大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner for functional food ingredient research and development.
• Fukuyama University (福山大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for research collaboration on functional food science and mushroom-derived ingredients.
• Keiju Medical Center (恵寿総合病院)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical trial partner for hepatitis C treatment studies using MAK. Published clinical evidence on viral suppression and liver function improvement.
• Oriental Mitaka Clinic (Orient M内科)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical clinic partner for clinical research and trials on functional food applications.
• Yukawa Icho Hospital (湯川胃腸病院)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical partner conducting clinical studies on MAK effects on hepatitis C virus suppression. Published research on viral load reduction in chronic hepatitis patients.
• Japanese Health and Nutrition Food Association (日本健康・栄養食品協会)coreOthersIndustry association providing GMP certification and safety standards compliance for health food manufacturing. NSK factory certified under JHNFA GMP guidelines.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Euglena Co., Ltd. Japanese microalgae-based functional food and supplement company. Comparable as a Japan-based biotech functional ingredient supplier targeting health food, supplement, and food categories with science-backed positioning similar to NSK.
• Mycelia bvba: Belgian mycelium ingredient producer focused on fungal biomass for food applications. Adjacent peer with shared mycelium fermentation platform but with focus on protein/food applications rather than functional extracts; signals category evolution that could compete for the same B2B customers.

Broad incumbents

• KOHJIN BIO: Established Japanese fermentation/ingredient company producing amino acids, nucleotides, and biochemicals for food, supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. Comparable as a Japanese fermentation-based functional ingredient manufacturer serving the same OEM and B2B channels as NSK.
• Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical: Major Japanese generic pharmaceutical and supplement manufacturer. Comparable as a Japanese B2B supplier of health products to pharmaceutical channels, and a potential OEM/customer segment for NSK's LEM/MAK/LEF ingredients.

Others

• Marrone Bio Innovations (Bioceres Crop Solutions): Global biopesticide and plant health company (now part of Bioceres). Indirectly comparable to NSK's Rentemin product line as a biopesticide specialist; signals the broader competitive landscape in the agricultural biologicals category where Rentemin competes.

Direct peers

• Nammex (North American Medicinal Mushroom Extracts): North American supplier of certified organic mushroom extracts for supplement manufacturers. Comparable as a B2B bulk mushroom ingredient supplier serving the same health food and supplement brand customers as NSK.
• Oriveda: Dutch specialist in medicinal mushroom extracts (reishi, cordyceps, lion's mane, etc.) supplying bulk ingredients globally. Comparable as a science-focused, premium mycelium extract supplier with similar OEM raw material positioning.
• Real Mushrooms: North American supplier of mushroom extract ingredients (including reishi and other medicinal mushroom extracts) sold to supplement brands as bulk raw materials. Directly comparable B2B ingredient business model to NSK's LEM/MAK/LEF raw material sales.
• Hokuto Corporation: Japanese mushroom cultivation and functional ingredient company producing mycelium-based products for food, supplement, and agricultural markets. Closest geographic and product peer to NSK, with overlapping applications in human health and agricultural bioproducts.
• Earth Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of household insecticides, garden products, and biostimulant fertilizers. Most directly comparable peer for NSK's Bio-Edorens-L fertilizer and Rentemin antiviral pesticide product lines within the Japanese agricultural market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ショッキンちゃんねる
• Instagraminstagram.com/nsk_lem_international/?hl=en

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 N.S.K. Co.