Kao Corporation

Kao Corporation, established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1887 (and formerly known as Kao Soap Co., Ltd. until its name change in 1982), is a global enterprise that develops and markets an extensive array of cosmetic, personal care, household, and chemical products. Its operations are organized into five primary business divisions. The Hygiene and Living Care Business unit offers a comprehensive range of domestic essentials, including laundry detergents, fabric conditioners, various kitchen and home cleaning solutions, along with personal hygiene items like sanitary napkins and baby diapers. Within the Health and Beauty Care Business, the company provides products for personal grooming and well-being, encompassing skin and hair care formulations, professional hair care lines, bath additives, oral hygiene products, and therapeutic thermal items. The Life Care Business focuses on health beverages and hygiene products specifically designed for commercial use. Its Cosmetics Business supplies beauty products available through both assisted-selection and self-service retail channels. Finally, the Chemical Business segment is responsible for producing a diverse spectrum of industrial ingredients and specialty chemicals. This includes oleo chemicals, derivatives of fats and oils, surfactants, fragrances, construction materials (such as water-reducing admixtures and casting sand binders), plastics additives, various process chemicals, imaging supplies (like toners, toner binders, inkjet ink colorants, and ink), fine polishing and cleaning agents, as well as other materials and process chemicals.