TDY Inc.

TDY Inc. is a Japanese company based in Chigasaki, Kanagawa, that produces and supplies high-purity germanium (Ge) materials and other infrared-transmitting materials such as ZnSe, ZnS, and chalcogenide glass. The company traces its origins to September 1960, when Tokyo Denshi Yakin Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Electronic Metallurgy Research Institute) was founded, with a Chigasaki plant completed in January 1961. Under capital participation and technology introduction from Sony Corporation, it began integrated production from germanium scrap recovery through polycrystals to germanium single crystals, wafers, and pellets. Over the decades, TDY expanded into sensors, electronic circuit boards, electronic equipment design and assembly, software development, and agency sales of ion beam sources and systems from US manufacturers such as Ion Tech (now Veeco-Ion Tech), KDF, Veeco-Commonwealth Scientific, BMR, and Tamarack. The company changed its name to TDY Inc. in September 2001. In 2025, it underwent a company split, with all business of the former TDY Inc. succeeded by a new entity. Today, TDY continues to refine germanium metal in Japan using high-frequency processing equipment, offering 6N+ purity TDY-made Ge metal and lower-cost overseas 4N+ material, as well as infrared materials like ZnSe, ZnS, and chalcogenide glass. The company serves customers requiring small-lot orders and provides analysis data for its Ge materials.

TDY Inc. was founded in September 1960 as Tokyo Denshi Yakin Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Electronic Metallurgy Research Institute). Construction of the Chigasaki plant began immediately, and the plant was completed in January 1961. Production started with the recovery of germanium scrap and the manufacture of polycrystalline germanium. With capital participation and technology introduction from Sony Corporation, the company began integrated production of germanium single crystals, wafers, and pellets. In 1972, TDY started developing sensors based on semiconductor materials, including radiation, temperature, pressure, and magnetic sensors, selling them to various fields; this sensor business later became independent as Tohnic Co., Ltd. In August 1980, the Maebashi Plant was established, and the company began designing and assembling electronic circuit boards and electronic equipment, as well as software development. In October 1992, TDY started acting as a sales agent for ion beam sources and systems from US-based Ion Tech (now Veeco-Ion Tech). In November 2000, it began agency sales for inline sputtering equipment and band magnetron etching equipment from US-based KDF. In May 2001, the Equipment Division moved to the newly opened Yokohama office. In September 2001, the company changed its name to TDY Inc. In March 2002, the Maebashi Plant was closed and became independent as TDY Maebashi Co., Ltd. In December 2002, TDY began acting as sales agent for US-based Veeco-Commonwealth Scientific and became a distributor for Japan Alcatel vacuum products. In January 2003, it started agency sales for US-based BMR. In September 2003, it began handling Veeco's anode layer ion sources and started agency sales for US-based Tamarack. In June 2008, the Equipment Division office was moved to the Chigasaki headquarters to improve coordination between sales and technical groups. In June 2009, the Equipment Division was closed and transferred to OSI Industry Co., Ltd. In September 2025, through a company split, all business of the former TDY Inc. was succeeded by a new entity. Today, TDY continues to produce and supply germanium materials and infrared optical materials, with a focus on high-purity germanium refined in Japan.

• 2025

  Through a company split in September, all business of the former TDY Inc. was succeeded by a new entity.

• 2009

  Equipment Division closed in June and transferred to OSI Industry Co., Ltd.

• 2008

  Equipment Division office moved to Chigasaki headquarters in June.

• 2003

  Began agency sales for BMR in January; began handling Veeco anode layer ion sources and agency sales for Tamarack in September.

• 2002

  Maebashi Plant closed in March, becoming independent as TDY Maebashi Co., Ltd.; began agency sales for Veeco-Commonwealth Scientific and became distributor for Japan Alcatel vacuum products in December.

• 2001

  Equipment Division moved to Yokohama office in May; company renamed TDY Inc. in September.

• 2000

  Began agency sales for KDF inline sputtering and band magnetron etching equipment in November.

• 1992

  Began agency sales for Ion Tech (now Veeco-Ion Tech) ion beam sources and systems in October.

• 1980

  Maebashi Plant established in August; began design and assembly of electronic circuit boards and equipment, and software development.

• 1972

  Started development of semiconductor-based sensors (radiation, temperature, pressure, magnetic, etc.); later became independent as Tohnic Co., Ltd.

• 1961

  Chigasaki Plant completed in January; began integrated production of germanium single crystals, wafers, and pellets with Sony's capital participation and technology introduction.

• 1960

  Founded as Tokyo Denshi Yakin Kenkyusho Co., Ltd. in September.

Specialist supplier of high-purity germanium and infrared optical materials, with in-house refining capabilities in Japan and a history of representing US ion beam and vacuum equipment makers.

• TDY-made Ge metal

  Purity 6N or higher, dimensions approx. 25 x 28 x 30 x 200L, refined in Japan using high-frequency processing equipment.

• Overseas-made Ge metal

  Purity 4N or higher, irregular shape, low-cost material approved by TDY for quality.

• ZnSe

  Infrared-transmitting material; uncoated ZnSe falls under poison and deleterious substances regulations, requiring a transfer document upon sale.

• ZnS

  Infrared-transmitting material; uncoated ZnS falls under poison and deleterious substances regulations, requiring a transfer document upon sale.

• Chalcogenide glass

  Infrared-transmitting material offered by TDY.

1. 1TDY 株式会社ティーディーワイtdy.co.jp
2. 2沿革 | 株式会社ティーディーワイtdy.co.jp
3. 3Ge材料 | 株式会社ティーディーワイtdy.co.jp
4. 4Znse・Zns・カルコゲナイドガラス | 株式会社ティーディーワイtdy.co.jp
5. 5TDY Inc. (Japan) - Wikidatawikidata.org