About Us

Our Story

Meeting Today's Needs,
Creating Tomorrow's Solutions

AGC’s journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and a deep commitment to creating a better, more sustainable future. From its humble beginnings over a century ago to its position today as a global industry leader, AGC has always strived to meet the evolving needs of society through cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

  • 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

  • 1954

    Manufacture of glass bulbs for television picture tubes begins

  • 1955

    Received Deming Prize for quickly adopting quality management

  • 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)

Manufacture of glass bulbs for television picture tubes begins.(1954)

Received Deming Prize for quickly adopting quality management. (1955)

Automotive glass business launched on a full scale to respond to rapidly growing demand.(1956)

  • 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)

  • 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)

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