Seiren Co

Seiren Co., Ltd., headquartered in Fukui, Japan (TYO: 3569), is a leading fiber production and textile manufacturing conglomerate. Established in 1889 by Eijiro Kurokawa and Ihachi Ueda, the company initially specialized in silk fabric refining. By 1923, it had incorporated as Fukui Seiren Kako Co., Ltd. and expanded into textile dyeing and finishing.

Seiren became Japan's largest textile printing firm by the 1980s and exceeded $100 million in annual sales by 2000. The company operates across industries including apparel, construction, electronics, medical, and automotive sectors, with significant global presence through 42 offices in 10 countries. In Japan, it has 11 subsidiaries and regional headquarters, while its U.S. subsidiary, Seiren North America, LLC, operates under the name Viscotec Automotive Products from Morganton, North Carolina.

Known for innovations like digital printing (introduced in 1989) and the proprietary "Viscotecs" inkjet technology, Seiren has expanded into materials science, utilizing sericin protein from silk for medical and cosmetic products. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending over ¥6 billion annually as of 2024.

Under CEO Tatsuo Kawada's leadership, Seiren diversified its operations to include automotive upholstery and digital dyeing, overcoming challenges like export restrictions and economic shifts. Its strategic global manufacturing network and technological advancements have solidified its position as a major player in the textile and related industries.