Shiraishi Kogyo Kaisha, Ltd. (Shiraishi Group)

Japanese maker of calcium carbonate extender pigments and fillers, established on November 1, 1919, head office in Kita-ku, Osaka (214 employees, March 2026). The Shiraishi Group makes and handles precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and ultra-fine surface-treated colloidal PCC (UFPCC, 150 nm or smaller) made from limestone; Shiraishi Kogyo's plants are the Hakuenka Plant (Gunma), Fuji, Fujikawa, Amagasaki, Tosa and Tsukumi. Grades for paints and inks include the Hakuenka (白艶華) CC, DD, O and T-DD series, Homocal-D, CALSHITEC Brilliant-1500 (for water-based systems), White IGV-IV, GELTON-50 and VALKOFIL-430, with primary particle sizes of 20–150 nm and fatty-acid or rosin-acid surface treatment; the group says they give viscosity control, flow, hiding power and gloss. Its paint range covers solvent-based, water-based and powder coatings; ink uses named are newspaper, offset, gravure and UV inks; other markets are rubber, plastics, adhesives and sealants, and paper. The group also offers compounds and masterbatches (SEMELAKE MB), surface treatment and grinding, and trades additives such as thickeners, dispersants and UV absorbers. Sister company Shiraishi Calcium Kaisha handles sales, with offices in the US, Mexico, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia and India; Shiraishi-Omya GmbH (Austria) is a group manufacturing site.