The NOF Group was founded in 1937 and headquartered in Japan. In 1945, the company merged with Nippon Mining Company and changed its name to Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. In 1984, NOF moved into the US market for the first time with an investment in Metal Coatings International Inc., followed by the establishment of NOF AMERICA CORPORATION in 1988. In 1994, the company moved into Europe with the establishment of NOF Europe N.V. in Belgium. Group business is classified into four broad segments: Oleochemicals & Foods, Chemicals, Explosives & Propulsion, and Others.