Our Story

This is the story of AGC’s growth and evolution as a supplier of materials to support industrial and social development since its establishment as Japan’s first manufacturers of sheet glass.

The history of our corporate management 
The history of our products and technologies

From 1907 to the 1950s

1907

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. was established in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture

1909

Belgian hand-blown sheet glass manufacture begins. (The first of such production in Japan)

1914

The first shipment of sheet glass was exported to England

1916

In-house production of soda ash, a key raw material for glass, begins.

1917

Headquarters was moved to Tokyo

1917

In-house production of soda ash, a key raw material for glass, begins.

1925

Shoko Glass Co., Ltd. was established in China as Asahi Glass’ first business outside Japan

1928

Production of tempered glass and laminated glass begins.

1933

The Asahi Foundation for Chemical Industry Promotion (now the Asahi Glass Foundation) was established to commemorate our 25th anniversary

1933

Caustic soda production using the ammonia method begins.

1937

Stocks were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchan

1938

Production of tempered glass and laminated glass begins.

1939

Production of refractory bricks begins at the Iho Plant.

1952

Concluded agreement to export caustic soda electrolysis equipment to Indonesia

1954

Production of double-glazing units PairGlass begins.

1955

Received Deming Prize for quickly adopting quality management

1955

Manufacture of glass bulbs for television picture tubes begins.

1956

Glass manufacturing subsidiary was established in India, demonstrating progress in expanding internationally ahead of other Japanese companies

1956

Automotive glass business was launched on a full scale to respond to rapidly growing demand.

1957

Asahi Glass Scholarship Foundation was established to Commemorate our 50th anniversary

AGC was founded in 1907 by Toshiya Iwasaki
Mass production of flat glass using a Belgian method of producing glass with hand-blown cylinders begins for the first time in Japan.(1909)
In-house production of long-lasting refracto- ry bricks for melting furnaces begins.(1916)
Caustic soda production using the ammonia method begins.(1933)
Received Deming Prize for quickly adopting quality management. (1955)
Manufacture of glass bulbs for television picture tubes begins.(1955)
Automotive glass business launched on a full scale to respond to rapidly growing demand.(1956)

The 1960s and 1990s

1961

Production of propylene oxide and propylene glycol begins.

1964

Entry into the flat glass market in Thailand

1966

Production of float glass begins.

1972

Commenced glass production operations in Indonesia

1972

Product development of AsahiGuard water and oil repellents begins.

1975

Development of the Flemion fluoropolymer ion-exchange membrane electrolysis method for manufacturing caustic soda.

1980

AZEC System, a new ion-exchange membrane electrolyzer, was developed.

1981

AGC Inc. acquired Glaverbel S.A. and MaasGlas B.V., glass companies in Belgium and the Netherlands

1982

Production of fluoropolymer resin for coatings (LUMIFLON) begins.

1985

Full-scale entry of the automotive glass business in the United States

1986

Full-scale entry of the chlor-alkali business in Indonesia

1990

CYTOP transparent amorphous fluoropolymer was developed.

1995

Production of glass substrates for TFT-LCDs begins.

1997

Entry into Russia’s glass market.

Entry into the flat glass market in Thailand. (1964)
Production of float glass begins.(1966)
Commenced glass production operations in Indonesia. (1972)
Product development of AsahiGuardTM water and oil repellants begins.(1972)
Glaverbel S.A. in Belgium was acquired. Full-scale entry in Europe’s flat glass market. (1981)
Production of fluoropoly- mer resin for coatings (LUMIFLONTM) begins.(1982)
Production of glass substrates for TFT-LCDs begins.(1995)

2000s

2002

Creation of AGC Group Vision, "Look Beyond"
In-house Company system was introduced

2005

Sales of automotive door glass that blocks infrared rays was launched.

2007

The Group brand was unified as “AGC”

2008

High-performance Fluon® ETFE FILM was used for various sports venues at global sports event in Beijing.

2011

Worldwide sales of Dragontrail glass for smartphones and tablet computers begin.

2011

Sales of UV Verre Premium Cool on tempered glass for automotive door windows begin.

2013

Started production of float glass in Brazil.

2013

Established regional headquarters in Singapore

2016

Automotive glass production base established in Morocco

2016

Information gathering and marketing bases established in India and Dubai

 

2017

AGC commences production of EUV mask blanks.

2018

Bioscience businesses in Japan, U.S.A and Europe consolidated as AGC Biologics.

2018

Change corporate name to AGC Inc.

2021

AGC plus 2.0 management policy was implemented

UV Verre Premium Cool onTM tempered glass for automotive door windows sales begin.(2011)
The Brazil Plant, one of the most environmentally friendly factories in South America starts operation. Entry into Brazil’s flat glass market. (2013)
AGC’s new logo and brand statement “Your Dreams, Our Challenge” (2018)