Kleentek Corporation (Japan)
Japanese pioneer manufacturer of electrostatic oil cleaning machines for lubricating oil recycling and stable hydraulic equipment operation.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Kleentek Corporation (株式会社クリーンテック) is a Japanese manufacturer of electrostatic oil cleaning machines and related oil management systems, headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. The company traces its origins to 1961, when Torao Hise founded the Hiroshima Lubrication Technology Research Institute and began research into lubrication management. In 1965 the institute succeeded in developing an electrostatic oil cleaning machine and filed a patent, which was registered in 1972; the first practical unit was delivered to Japan Steel Works in the same year. In 1974 the research institute was reorganized into Kleentek Industry Co., Ltd. with capital of 15 million yen, and in 1976 the sales division was separated to form Kleentek Corporation as an affiliated sales company. The two were integrated in 2003 under the current name, Kleentek Corporation. The company's core technology is electrostatic oil cleaning, which removes submicron-level contaminants from lubricating and hydraulic oil, maintaining an ultra-clean oil state that enables stable equipment operation. Its product lines include the EDC series of electrostatic oil cleaners, the DH series of oil moisture separation devices, and the KF series of filters for water-glycol hydraulic fluids. According to the company, about 70% of purchase motivations are to resolve sudden servo valve troubles, and more than 90% of customers become repeat buyers. Products are used in automotive, power generation, paper, plastics, and steel applications. Kleentek is a small, privately held company with capital of 60 million yen and 34 employees, operating sales offices in Tokyo (headquarters), Nagoya, and Osaka. It obtained ISO 9001 certification for its head office factory in 1998, surpassed 40,000 cumulative production shipments by 2012, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The company positions itself as an environmental partner, proposing lubricating oil recycling and stable hydraulic equipment operation.
History
Kleentek's history begins in 1961 (Showa 36), when Torao Hise founded the Hiroshima Lubrication Technology Research Institute and began research into lubrication management. In 1965 (Showa 40) the institute succeeded in developing an electrostatic oil cleaning machine and filed a patent, which was registered in 1972 (Showa 47); in the same year the first practical electrostatic oil cleaning machine was delivered to Japan Steel Works. In 1973 the company received a subsidy from the Science and Technology Agency for commercialization of the invention. In 1974 (Showa 49) the research institute was reorganized into Kleentek Industry Co., Ltd. with capital of 15 million yen. In 1976 (Showa 51) the sales division was separated to establish Kleentek Corporation as an affiliated sales company. In 1977 Torao Hise received an invention merit award from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. In 1978 the DH oil moisture removal device was developed and sales began. In 1979 the company received a technical improvement subsidy from the Tokyo Bureau of International Trade and Industry, and in 1980 a new technology development subsidy from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for small and medium enterprises. In 1981 Torao Hise received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award for the development of electrostatic oil cleaning technology. In 1984 the KF filter was developed and sales began for purification of water-glycol hydraulic fluids. In 1989 Torao Hise received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon for the invention and improvement of the electrostatic oil cleaning device, and the SF floating oil separation device was developed and sales began. In 1992 Toru Sasaki published a doctoral thesis on sticking of hydraulic valves caused by oil oxidation products, proving that oil oxidation degradation products are involved in hydraulic valve locking. In 1998 ISO 9001 certification was obtained for the head office factory. In 2003 the sales subsidiary was integrated and the company name became Kleentek Corporation. In 2012 cumulative production shipments exceeded 40,000 units. In 2015 the DHS oil moisture removal device for high-viscosity oil was developed and sales began under a joint patent with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation. In 2024 the company celebrated its 50th anniversary.
- 2024
Celebrated 50th anniversary of founding.
- 2015
Developed and began sales of DHS oil moisture removal device for high-viscosity oil under joint patent with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal.
- 2012
Cumulative production shipments exceeded 40,000 units.
- 2003
Integrated sales subsidiary and changed company name to Kleentek Corporation.
- 1998
Obtained ISO 9001 certification for head office factory.
- 1992
Toru Sasaki published doctoral thesis on hydraulic valve sticking caused by oil oxidation products.
- 1989
Torao Hise received Medal with Yellow Ribbon; developed and began sales of SF floating oil separation device.
- 1984
Developed and began sales of KF filter for water-glycol hydraulic fluids.
- 1981
Torao Hise received Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award.
- 1980
Received new technology development subsidy from Tokyo Metropolitan Government for SMEs.
Products and positioning
Pioneer of electrostatic oil cleaners adopted in environmentally advanced countries; proposes lubricating oil recycling and stable hydraulic equipment operation.
EDC series electrostatic oil cleaner
Electrostatic oil cleaning machine that removes submicron-level contaminants from lubricating oil.
DH series oil moisture separator
Device for removing moisture from oil.
KF series filter
Filter for water-glycol hydraulic fluids.
DHS oil moisture removal device
High-viscosity oil moisture removal device developed under joint patent with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal.
SF floating oil separation device
Device for separating floating oil.
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