The term 'pine chemicals' refers to the rosin, fatty acids, turpentine and other useful chemical resources obtained from the pine tree.
We regard the pine tree, as a genuine gift from nature and thus, our valued partner. As such, we seek to find a harmonious balance between technology and nature in efforts to maximize our utilization of the chemical resources it has to offer.
Unlike fossil fuels like oil and coal that will eventually run out, forestation makes the pine tree a truly renewable resource with a life cycle of 20 to 30 years. Our business involves taking the numerous chemical resources offered by pine trees and developing them into an array of products ranging from resin products and the various chemicals used for papermaking, to electronic materials and other useful everyday items.
Rosin is classified into three types based on the method of extraction. Gum rosin is obtained from distilling crude gum collected from live pine trees. Tall oil rosin is obtained from distilling crude tall oil* which is a by-product of the kraft pulp making process. Wood rosin is obtained by the solvent extraction of wood chips from pine stumps that is then distilled.
Gum rosin is the oldest and most consumed rosin in the world today. Harima is the only commercial producer of tall rosin in Japan and the leading manufacturer in the pine chemicals field base on the collective use of gum rosin and tall rosin. By effectively managing the use of these two types of rosin depending on their quality and quantity affected by conditions such as weather, we are able to ensure a stable product supply.
*The term tall oil comes from the Swedish word Talloja which means pine oil.
