Kao

Kao was established in 1887 by Tomiro Nagase as a manufacturer of domestic toiletry soap. Until 1940, they were known as Nihon Yuki Company, changing their name to Kao Soap Company, and finally in 1985 to Kao Corporation. Kao operates through two business segments, namely consumer products, and chemicals. Divisions in consumer products include Cosmetics, Human Health Care, Skin Care & Hair Care, and Fabric and Home Care. Products owned by Kao includes Bioré, Goldwell, John Frieda, Curél...

Japanese chemical and cosmetics company Kao’s sales revenues decreased by 8% to JPY1.38tn ($13.14bn). Kao's Cosmetics and Skin Care & Hair Care businesses recorded a combined revenue of JPY543bn ($5.17bn). The Cosmetics division fell by 22.4% year-on-year, mainly affected by reduced demand and temporary store closures since the Covid-19 epidemic spread around the world. Kao expects to achieve a 3.5% increase in revenues in 2021 over the previous year. Its operating income is projected to increase by 0.8% to JPY177bn ($1.68bn).

In 2020, Kao Corporation was ranked the #4 out of 42 companies in the Corporate Knights Industry Group’s Personal Care and Cleaning Products category, recognized for its excellence in innovation capacity, employee retention as well as clean revenue, or revenue from all goods and services which have clear environmental benefits. For the company's national and international experience in sustainable development and eco-friendly products, the Environment Possibility Award conferred the "Environmental Heroes of the Year" to Kao Corporation in 2020