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Founded in 1947 as a manufacturer of cotton work gloves, the company steadily expanded into leather, vinyl chloride, and natural rubber products. As Japan’s industrial economy developed, Towa Corporation grew alongside it, serving customers across industries ranging from steel manufacturing to rail transportation. International expansion followed, with manufacturing operations established in Malaysia, China, and Bangladesh.
A willingness to evolve has been a defining characteristic throughout the company’s history. “We have taken on a variety of challenges so far,” said President Satoshi Watanabe. That philosophy has guided the development of products designed to meet the changing needs of industrial customers worldwide.
The company is also responding to increasingly stringent environmental and safety regulations across major global markets. Demand for PFAS-free products is rising, particularly in the United States, where customers are seeking solutions that align with evolving sustainability requirements. “The customers in the U.S. wanted PFAS-free gloves,” Watanabe said. “Since last year, we have tackled this problem.” Beginning this fall, the first PFAS-free PVC fully coated gloves will be released to both existing customers and new users seeking compliant solutions as regulations continue to evolve.
PFAS is not the only substance under increased scrutiny. DMF, silicone, and latex have also become important considerations within the industry. In response, Towa has been exploring the use of polyurea, a polymer rarely used in glove coatings.
The company’s proprietary coating technology combines the inherent advantages of polyurea—free from DMF, PFAS, silicone, and latex—with Towa’s manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced abrasion resistance, strong grip in both dry and wet conditions, high impermeability, and reduced water consumption during production.
Earlier this year, Towa launched the Airex® Thermo 932 and 934, the first products to utilize the technology. The development forms part of a broader innovation strategy that also includes recently introduced cut-resistant gloves containing neither steel nor glass fibers, providing improved comfort for users.
Towa is also developing a new range of higher-rated cut-resistant gloves meeting ANSI A7-A9 standards while maintaining the company’s signature performance features.
Chemical protection is expected to become another major focus area in 2027. Towa plans to introduce a fully coated chemical-resistant solution utilizing its NanoFinish coating technology, manufactured at its Bangladesh facility.
Looking ahead, Towa Corporation sees automation as a major growth opportunity. Anticipating labor shortages and increasing factory mechanization, the company has begun offering solutions for robotic applications.
As manufacturing enters a new era, Towa Corporation is positioning itself at the intersection of worker protection, environmental responsibility, and industrial innovation. “We have taken on a variety of challenges so far,” Watanabe said, a philosophy that continues to guide the company’s future.
