Innovation, firmly grounded in an idea, has the potential to create unique opportunities and inspire an endless string of results from an original concept. It is our vision, duty, and inspiration to create products that sustain and improve health, the environment and sanitation worldwide.
About Saraya
Through our company's history, we have seen technology, economy and the environment experience drastic changes. These past few years, we have seen the lasting effect of our growing population on the environment. It is too clear to ignore. Our oceans are reacting to rising temperatures from climate change, leaving us wondering how rising seas, migrating fish and shrinking ice caps will ever return to the state we have always known. As a company, it is our responsibility to respond to these changes through innovation for the future of our company and the environment. Every step of our journey since the start has been an ever progressing road of innovation based on the vision our company was founded on.
We must take responsibility to enact a reverse change on our habit of generously using the earth's precious resources. While the development of cheap and accessible energy speeds ahead, without knowing it, sustainable business and lifestyles have become further from reality. We owe everything to nature, but we continue to develop more waste and more problems in order to utilize our natural resources. To create a sustainable environment out of these problems requires taking the challenge to innovate from our current model of life and industry into a new model of sustainability. This will truly put business to the test.
Fortunately, the innovation and creation behind all of modern earth's amenities came from companies and thinkers who imagined a better world. This genuine expression of human ingenuity can lead the world on a path to sustainability and generations of harmony.
It is vital that businesses work together with NGOs so the world we know can last. SARAYA is making the challenge to utilize innovation, even for the smallest change, as a central player in the promotion of biodiversity and the improvement of hygiene and sanitation in countries from all levels of economic standing for a better future. Renewing our pledge, we will drive to do our part in realizing a sustainable world.
Our History
1952
Everything Started With Hand Washing
In a post-war Japan where poor sanitation is leading to food poisoning and dysentery, Shota Saraya establishes SARAYA and replaces bar soap in public washrooms with Japan's first antibacterial liquid soap made from coconut oil.
1961
Cololo is Born
Air pollution becomes a nation-wide problem in Japan during the 1960s. SARAYA develops the gargling solution Cololo and machines similar to water fountains for dispensing it, making headlines while making gargling a part of Japanese hygienic culture.
1971
Release Of Yashinomi Detergent
A botanical-based biodegradable kitchen detergent is released in response to the environmental damage caused by petroleum-based detergents, polluting Japan's waterways. Yashinomi is made from coconut oil and palm oil.
1979
Alcohol-Based Hand Disinfectants
SARAYA develops Hand Sanitor - the first alcohol-based hand disinfectant in Japan.
1982
No-Touch Dispensers
Developed the no-touch sensor dispenser - an industry-first - years ahead of the competition.
1983
First Refill
Yashinomi releases the world's first detergent refill pack to reduce garbage.
1995
Expanding to America
Best Sanitizers, Inc. and SARAYA start the first joint venture outside of Japan.
1996
Lakanto, All-Natural Sweetener
Developed and marketed the 100% natural sweetener Lakanto.
2001
Starting Acecide
Acecide peracetic acid disinfectant for medical device reprocessing is developed.
2003
Expanding Abroad
A manufacturing plant in Dongguan China is opened, while SARAYA Korea Co., Ltd. is established in Seoul.
2004
Further Expansion
SARAYA opens Saraya Manufacturing (Thailand) near Bangkok, and establishes sales companies in Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Shanghai, Canada, and Russia. Best Sanitizers Inc. Kentucky Factory opens in the USA.
2006
The BCT
We help to start of the Borneo Conservation Trust in Malaysia.
2007
Joining the RSPO
SARAYA is the first Japanese manufacturer to join the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil.
2008
Environmental Prizes and Recognition
4th Japan Environmental Business Awards, 3rd Asahi Citizens Award, 2006 Osaka Public Recognition, 10th Environmental Communication Award, 10th Environmental Report Award, Sustainability Report Award...
2009
Expanding in USA and Malaysia
Best Sanitizers, Inc. Kentucky Factory is expanded to manufacture FDA approved Acecide peracetic acid disinfectant as well as alcohol sanitizer and soap. Saraya Malaysia is opened for business in Kuala Lumpur.
2010
UNICEFs Wash a Million Hands Campaign
We team up with Unicef Japan to start the Wash a Million Hands Campaign to provide hand hygiene to the families of Uganda.
2011
Saraya East Africa
SARAYA opens its first African office in Kampala, Uganda, bringing Japanese hand hygiene to hospitals in Uganda.
2011
Joining ICPIC in Switzerland
Supporting the WHO and the Clean Care is Safer Care program.
2012
New Eco-Friendly Products
Shavo Green, Happy Elephant, and Cocopalm are released. Each is made from RSPO sustainable palm oil.
2012
Lactoferrin Beauty
Lactoferrin Lab. is introduced in the Japanese market as the news skin formulation that rejuvenates your skin to its original beauty.
2012
Saraya India Private Limited
SARAYA expands to Mumbai, India.
2013
Expansion Continues
We expand to Vietnam with a local JV to make Saraya Greentek Co., Ltd. New operations start in Cambodia.
2014
Sanilavo
Sanilavo, the new washroom amenity lineup created for usability with a sense of modern interior design is released.
2014
Goodmaid Acquisition
SARAYA acquires a 100% stake in the Goodmaid Group, a Malaysian sales and manufacturing company of sanitation and hygiene products.
2015
Lakanto Expansion
Guilin Saraya Biotech is opened in Guilin, China for the manufacturing of Lakanto. Saraya USA is opened to market Lakanto in the United States.
2016
New Countries
Two new offices join the SARAYA group: Saraya Higiene de Mexico, the company's first steps into Latin America, and Saraya Ukraine.
2016
Sustainability Lessons
President Yusuke Saraya publishes his second book on the creation of Japan's number one eco-brand.
2017
France Incorporation
SARAYA acquires a share of Avenir Detergence SAS, a French sales and manufacturing company of sanitation and hygiene products.
2017
Kenya Expansion
Saraya Kenya Company Limited becomes the 2nd company in the African continent.
2018
SDGs Award Winners
SARAYA receives the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director Award at the inaugural Japan SDGs Awards, hosted by the Government of Japan. We are also winners of the Sustainable Palm Oil Best Practice Award 2018.
2018
Increasing the Family
We incorporate companies in Tunisia, Egypt, and Canada.
2019
Even More...
Poland and the United Arab Emirates have also become countries with a SARAYA presence.
2020
Kanto Factory
SARAYA's 4th factory in Japan is open, increasing production in foods, cosmetics, cleaning goods, etc.
2020
Sustainability Recognition
We are winners of the "Biodiversity Report Special Excellence Award" at the 23rd Environmental Communication Awards, for the second year in a row.
2020
Design Recognitions
Wash Bon, our brand with hand dispensers and ecological hand soaps, is the 2019 of the Good Design Award. Saraya Hand Lab Hand Spray VH wins the Japan Promotional Marketing Association Award, while Yashinomi Premium Power gets recognized at the "A'Design Award & Competition 2019-2020".
Our Offices
Since 2017, Saraya Kenya has been providing world-class hygiene facilities to institutional customers.
President: Yusuke Saraya Headquarters Address: 2-2-8 Yuzato, Higashisumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka 546-0013 Japan Date Founded: April 1, 1952 Capital: 45 Million Yen Line of Business Development: Manufacturing and sales of health and hygiene products and services. Consultation on food and environmental sanitation. Development, manufacturing, and sales of food products. Number of Employees: 2,277 employees (Japan only, as of October 2022)
