Sansho Co., Ltd.
A technology-oriented Japanese specialty trading company founded in 1955, importing and developing food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, papermaking and industrial additives with its own research institute.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Sansho Co., Ltd. (三晶株式会社) is a Japanese specialty trading company (専門商社) founded on 5 July 1955 and headquartered in Osaka. It imports, exports, sells domestically and develops additives and materials for food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, papermaking and industrial applications, as well as functional paper and functional films. Its core strength is that it is a technology-oriented trading house with its own research institute, allowing it to provide detailed product data, prototyping and testing-based technical advice, and to pursue application and new-product development. The company's main business lines are organized into five services: GENU (acting as the Japanese general agent for Tate & Lyle's GENU products), food materials (importing natural food-thickening polysaccharides from leading overseas manufacturers), functional materials (chemical synthetic fibers for papermaking, nonwovens, plastic nets and similar products), fine chemicals (high-quality, high-performance, high-value-added products including natural thickening polysaccharides for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and industrial products), and papermaking materials (papermaking materials and additives sourced domestically and internationally). Its product fields span food, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals and medical, industrial uses such as detergents, paints and agrochemicals, civil engineering and building materials, feed and pet care, industrial materials such as nonwovens and plastic nets, and papermaking fibers and chemicals. Sansho was founded when it recognized the potential of locust bean gum, then little known in Japan, and began business while conducting research with Kyoto University's Okamura Laboratory; it also concluded a general agency agreement with Meypro AG of Switzerland (now part of the International Flavours & Fragrances Inc. group). Over the following decades it built a long record of importing and representing overseas manufacturers, including general agency agreements with The Copenhagen Pectin Factory Ltd. of Denmark (now Tate & Lyle PLC) in 1963 and handling of Kelco Co., Ltd. (USA, now Tate & Lyle PLC) bio-gum and algin products from 1967. It established a research laboratory in 1959, moved its research institute to Hirakata, Osaka in 1971, and opened a central research institute at Tsuda Science Hills in 2002. The company is led by President Atsushi Karakawa (唐川 敦), with capital of 96.6 million yen and approximately 90 employees as of 30 June 2026. Its head office is in the Twin 21 MID Tower in Chuo-ku, Osaka, with a Tokyo office in Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (co-located with Co-Lab), a Central Research Institute in Hirakata, Osaka, and the Tamba-Sasayama Processing Center in Hyogo Prefecture. In 2020 it adopted the catchphrase and logo "Piriri to Sansho," derived from the proverb that Japanese pepper is small but sharply pungent, expressing its wish to be a brand that adds an accent to many foods and provides "piriri" added value to customers.
History
Sansho Co., Ltd. was founded on 5 July 1955. At the time, it recognized the potential of locust bean gum, which was not well known in Japan, and began business while advancing research with Kyoto University's Okamura Laboratory. It also concluded a general agency agreement with Meypro AG of Switzerland (now part of the International Flavours & Fragrances Inc. group). In 1957, Sansho began handling cut staple and binders from Kurashiki Rayon Co., Ltd. (now Kuraray Co., Ltd.) and registered the trademark Fibribond (a binder). In 1958 it began selling "Papilon," described as the world's first 100% synthetic fiber paper. In 1959 it established a research laboratory within its head office. In 1962 it began selling processed starch from Shikishima Starch Co., Ltd. to the papermaking industry. In 1963 it concluded a general agency agreement with The Copenhagen Pectin Factory Ltd. of Denmark (now Tate & Lyle PLC). In 1964 it moved its head office to 3-68 Kyobashi, Higashi-ku, Osaka. In 1965 it established a Tokyo sales office. In 1967 it began handling bio-gum and algin products from Kelco Co., Ltd. (USA, now Tate & Lyle PLC). In 1971 Sansho moved its research institute to Hirakata, Osaka. In 1975 it became the Japanese general agent for Madico Inc. (USA) and began selling window film. In 1981 it jointly developed and began selling viscose-processed paper "Safron" with Fukui Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (now Rengo Co., Ltd.). In 1986 it began selling tapioca starch derivatives from Sanguan Wongse Industries., Ltd. (Thailand). In 1987 it began selling cellulose derivatives from Aqualon Group (USA, part of Ashland Inc.) and began selling Delnet from Applied Extrusion Technologies Inc. (USA, now Mativ). In 1991 it began selling pitch control agents for papermaking from Nippon Betz Dearborn Co., Ltd. (now Yuka Sangyo Co., Ltd.). In 1994 it began selling starch derivatives from Grain Processing Corporation (USA). In 1999 it began selling guar gum products from Pakistan Gum and Chemicals Ltd. (Pakistan). In 2002 Sansho moved to Tsuda Science Hills in Hirakata, Osaka and opened its Central Research Institute, and moved to Kodenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo and opened a Tokyo branch. In 2004 it moved its head office to the 23rd floor of Twin 21 MID Tower, 2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka. In 2020 it moved its Tokyo branch to the 10th floor of S-GATE Hatchobori, 3-20-5 Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo and renamed it the Tokyo Office. In 2025 it built a new building at its logistics center in Tamba-Sasayama and renamed it the Tamba-Sasayama Processing Center, and began selling products from Buckman Laboratories Inc. As of its company profile, Sansho has capital of 96.6 million yen, approximately 90 employees (as of 30 June 2026), and banks with Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Osaka Chuo Branch. Its business includes import/export and domestic sales of food additives, industrial chemicals, papermaking additives and functional paper, as well as research and development.
- 2025
Built new building at logistics center in Tamba-Sasayama and renamed it Tamba-Sasayama Processing Center; began selling Buckman Laboratories products.
- 2020
Moved Tokyo branch to S-GATE Hatchobori and renamed it Tokyo Office; adopted catchphrase and logo "Piriri to Sansho."
- 2004
Moved head office to Twin 21 MID Tower, Chuo-ku, Osaka.
- 2002
Moved to Tsuda Science Hills, Hirakata, Osaka and opened Central Research Institute; moved to Kodenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo and opened Tokyo branch.
- 1999
Began selling guar gum products from Pakistan Gum and Chemicals Ltd. (Pakistan).
- 1994
Began selling starch derivatives from Grain Processing Corporation (USA).
- 1991
Began selling papermaking pitch control agents from Nippon Betz Dearborn (now Yuka Sangyo).
- 1987
Began selling cellulose derivatives from Aqualon Group (USA) and Delnet from Applied Extrusion Technologies (USA, now Mativ).
- 1986
Began selling tapioca starch derivatives from Sanguan Wongse Industries (Thailand).
- 1981
Jointly developed and began selling viscose-processed paper "Safron" with Fukui Chemical Industry (now Rengo).
Products and positioning
Technology-oriented specialty trading company that creates value through technology and trading functions, aiming to exceed customer expectations with speed and challenge.
GENU
Imported and sold as Japanese general agent for Tate & Lyle's GENU products, with analysis and technical support according to use.
Food materials
Natural food thickening polysaccharides imported from leading overseas manufacturers, ensuring stable supply.
Functional materials
Chemical synthetic fibers for papermaking, nonwovens, plastic nets and similar products proposed to diverse fields through domestic and international networks.
Fine chemicals
High-quality, high-performance, high-value-added products sourced from various countries, including natural thickening polysaccharides for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and industrial products.
Papermaking materials
Papermaking materials and additives procured domestically and internationally, with processing technology and new characteristics/know-how.
Carrageenan
Natural polysaccharide extracted from red algae, with basic physical properties such as gel properties and synergistic effects.
Pectin (HM/LM)
Pectin extracted from plant materials, including high methoxyl and low methoxyl types.
Gellan gum
Natural polysaccharide (bio-gum) produced by microbial fermentation.
MALTRIN
Dextrin and maltodextrin from Grain Processing Corporation.
Yawara-J
Bread improver that suppresses starch aging and maintains softness and moistness.
Sources5 sources
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