- Business
- ITOCHU Corporation conducts extensive global trading and investment activities across a broad range of products and services. The company's Textile segment focuses on the production and sale of diverse fiber and garment materials, various textile fabrics, and apparel items, alongside importing and managing lifestyle and fashion brands, including luxury, casual, and sportswear categories. Recent initiatives in this area include promoting sustainable textile products and recycling schemes such as RENU, a recycled polyester. Its Machinery segment delivers comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction solutions. It oversees projects and facilities related to water and environmental management, essential infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and independent power production. The company also deals in the sale and leasing of aircraft and associated equipment, distributes automobiles, construction and industrial machinery, electronic systems, and medical devices, in addition to owning and chartering maritime vessels. Notable activities include an investment in Hitachi Construction Machinery and supplying wind power to Meta Platforms. The Metals & Minerals segment is involved in the exploration, mining, and worldwide trading of essential resources like iron ore, coal, uranium, base metals, and various minor metals. It also handles the trade of non-ferrous metal materials and participates in the processing and distribution of steel products. Through its Energy & Chemicals segment, ITOCHU engages in the trading of crude oil, refined petroleum products, LPG, LNG, natural gas, and hydrogen. It also trades organic and inorganic chemicals, synthetic resins, household goods, specialized fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronic materials. This segment is also active in power generation and trading, and is developing renewable energy solutions, including solar and wind power, and sustainable aviation fuel supply chains. In November 2024, the company partnered with ACWA Power to advance investments in renewable energy and environmental infrastructure. The Food segment manages the production, distribution, and retail of a wide array of food products, including operating convenience stores and managing brand licenses like Dole Asia Holdings. In October 2024, ITOCHU made a strategic investment in Maypro Group, which comprises nutrition-focused companies. The General Products & Realty segment is engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of paper, pulp, natural rubber, tires, and various wood products and materials. It also undertakes the development and operation of real estate, encompassing residential properties, logistics facilities, and other ventures, along with providing comprehensive logistics services. Finally, the ICT & Financial Business segment provides advanced IT solutions, internet-related services, and venture capital. It offers mobile telephone equipment and services, business process outsourcing (BPO), broadcasting and communications services, entertainment and content production, healthcare and preventive medicine outsourcing, and a range of financial and insurance brokerage services. Recently, ITOCHU Technology Ventures established its largest fund, TV6, to invest in startups across artificial intelligence, healthcare, decarbonization, and space. ITOCHU Corporation was established in 1858 and maintains its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.