Kaken Co., Ltd.

Kaken Co., Ltd. (株式会社 化研) is a Japanese trading company headquartered at 208 Sanko Naretsune, Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture. It describes itself as a 'trading company connected to the world with a global perspective,' and its business spans industrial supply, engineering services, and environmental products. Its stated mission is to support companies and individuals in expanding their possibilities. The company's business lines, as listed on its official website, cover machine tools and cutting tools, welding materials, environmental and energy-saving equipment, safety protective equipment, electrical construction, maintenance and periodic inspection services, and the sale of photosynthetic bacteria. This mix positions Kaken as both a distributor of industrial goods and a provider of on-site engineering and maintenance services for manufacturing and construction customers in the Kyushu region. Kaken has a long history in water treatment and agricultural/environmental biotechnology. According to its corporate history, it was established in Showa 50 (1975). In Showa 56 (1981) it obtained a patent (No. 1033269) for a water quality improvement agent named 'Gloster.' In Showa 60 (1985) it established a stable culture method for photosynthetic bacteria, and in Showa 61 (1986) it began selling photosynthetic bacteria under the product name 'Mukin' (エムキン). The 'Mukin' name was registered as a trademark (No. 4715852) in Heisei 15 (2003). The head office was relocated to its current address in Heisei 17 (2005). In Heisei 23 (2011) the company added planning, design, and fabrication of production equipment, and in Heisei 26 (2014) it launched a welding equipment sales division. Kaken remains a privately held company based in Nakatsu, Oita. It is not known to be listed on a stock exchange. Its official website is kaken.tv, and it presents itself as a regional trading firm with global reach, serving industrial and environmental customers.

Kaken Co., Ltd. was established in Showa 50 (1975) in Japan. Its early history is closely tied to water treatment and environmental biotechnology. In Showa 56 (1981), the company obtained a patent (No. 1033269) for a water quality improvement agent marketed under the name 'Gloster.' This was followed in Showa 60 (1985) by the establishment of a stable culture method for photosynthetic bacteria, a technology that became the basis for its later product line. In Showa 61 (1986), Kaken began selling photosynthetic bacteria under the product name 'Mukin' (エムキン). The product was later registered as a trademark (No. 4715852) in Heisei 15 (2003), indicating its importance to the company's identity. In Heisei 17 (2005), the head office was relocated to its current address at 208 Sanko Naretsune, Nakatsu, Oita. Over time, Kaken expanded beyond environmental products into industrial supply and services. In Heisei 23 (2011), it added planning, design, and fabrication of production equipment to its operations. In Heisei 26 (2014), it established a welding equipment sales division. Today, the company presents itself as a trading company with a global perspective, offering machine tools, welding materials, environmental and energy-saving equipment, safety protective equipment, electrical construction, and maintenance services, alongside its traditional photosynthetic bacteria business.

• 2014

  Launched welding equipment sales division (Heisei 26).

• 2011

  Added planning, design, and fabrication of production equipment (Heisei 23).

• 2005

  Relocated head office to current address (Heisei 17).

• 2003

  Registered 'Mukin' as a trademark (No. 4715852) (Heisei 15).

• 1986

  Began selling photosynthetic bacteria under the name 'Mukin' (Showa 61).

• 1985

  Established stable culture method for photosynthetic bacteria (Showa 60).

• 1981

  Obtained patent (No. 1033269) for water quality improvement agent 'Gloster' (Showa 56).

• 1975

  Kaken Co., Ltd. established (Showa 50).

A regional Japanese trading company with a global outlook, combining industrial distribution, engineering services, and environmental biotechnology products.

• Mukin (エムキン)

  Photosynthetic bacteria product, sold since 1986 and trademarked in 2003.

• Gloster (グロスター)

  Water quality improvement agent patented in 1981.

1. 1株式会社 化研 | 九州大分県中津市の世界とつながる商社kaken.tv
2. 2Kaken Co., Ltd. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org