Asahi Denka serves the chemically dependent. The company's sales come primarily from producing chemicals including caustic soda (used in soap and paper). It produces other such chemicals as chlorine, additives for resins and polymers, and mixtures for liquid crystal displays. Founded in 1917, the company expanded into margarine in 1929 and now also makes shortening, mayonnaise, and raw food materials, among other food items. Part of the Furukawa Group, Asahi Denka has plants in France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and the US. The company's Amfine Chemicals subsidiary in the US produces plastics additives.