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About Orihiro

Orihiro is a Japanese corporation specializing in food technology, health products, and industrial processing machinery. While internationally recognized for its consumer snack line, Pürunto Konjac Jelly, the company’s operations extend significantly beyond retail goods to include konjac raw material processing, aseptic filling systems, and food packaging equipment.[1] Headquartered in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Orihiro operates under the corporate philosophy of contributing to society through “deliciousness, fun, and safety,” integrating engineering capabilities directly with food product development.[2] The organization currently functions as part of the Orihiro Holdings group, with international subsidiaries in China and the United States supporting its global machinery and food business.[4][22]

Corporate Overview

Category Information
Company Name ORIHIRO Co., Ltd.
Japanese Name オリヒロ株式会社
Brand Name Orihiro
Founded December 1972
Original Name Tsuruta Shoji Co., Ltd.
Origin Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Current Headquarters Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
President Orihiro Tsuruta
Capital ¥32.76 million
Core Business Areas Health foods, konjac, food machinery, packaging machinery
Flagship Consumer Product Pürunto Konjac Jelly
Industrial Machinery Brand Onpack
International Operations China, United States
Group Structure Orihiro Holdings / Orihiro Group

Orihiro lists its headquarters at 1886 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki City, Gunma, Japan, with capitalization of ¥32.76 million.[17] Unlike conventional snack manufacturers that outsource production, Orihiro maintains vertical integration across raw material refining, food formulation, machinery manufacturing, and aseptic packaging.[18]

Business Pillars

Orihiro categorizes its operations into three primary divisions that reinforce one another technologically and commercially:

  • Health Food Division: Development and manufacture of supplements, functional foods, and konjac-based snacks.
  • Machinery Division: Engineering of food processing and packaging systems, including the Onpack brand.
  • Konjac Raw Materials Division: Refining and processing of konjac flour and related ingredients.

The company identifies these three sectors as the central components of the modern Orihiro Group structure.[3] This integrated model allows Orihiro to function simultaneously as a B2C food brand and a B2B industrial technology provider.[23]

History and Development

Foundation and Early Expansion (1972–1976)

Orihiro was established in December 1972 in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture, originally named Tsuruta Shoji Co., Ltd. with capital of ¥2.5 million. The initial business focus was the manufacture of konjac-processing and food-packaging machinery, leveraging the region’s status as a major konjac-producing area.[13] Between 1973 and 1976, the company expanded its commercial network by opening sales offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Fukuoka, and Nagoya.[19]

Diversification into Health Foods (1977–1985)

In 1977, Orihiro launched High Mannan, marking the formal establishment of its Health Food Division and shifting the company beyond pure machinery manufacturing.[9] A dedicated machinery factory was established in 1978 to strengthen production capacity. In August 1983, Tsuruta Shoji officially changed its trading name to ORIHIRO Co., Ltd., creating the corporate identity used today. The health food portfolio continued to grow with the introduction of Night Diet in 1985.[3]

Group Specialization and International Growth (1987–2009)

The late 1980s saw structural expansion with the establishment of ORIHIRO Engineering in 1987 and a dedicated konjac raw-material plant in 1988. International operations began in earnest with the founding of SUZHOU ORIHIRO Co., Ltd. in China in 2007 to support machinery production.[22] A significant technical milestone occurred in 2009 when Orihiro’s aseptic filling and packaging system passed inspection and validation associated with the U.S. FDA, validating its industrial technology for regulated markets.[10]

Modern Era and Restructuring (2010–Present)

Consumer recognition grew following the 2010 launch of the Konjac Jelly T-Pouch format. In 2015, the company began selling products under Japan’s Foods with Function Claims designation. To further support global machinery sales, ORIHIRO USA, INC. was established in 2016. Infrastructure was upgraded in 2019 with the opening of a new headquarters and the ORIHIRO Plantdew ASEP Factory at the Takasaki Smart IC Industrial Park. In July 2021, the group reorganized under a holding-company structure as Orihiro Holdings. Most recently, in October 2025, ORIHIRO Material Co., Ltd. was merged into ORIHIRO Plantdew Co., Ltd. to consolidate production activities.[3][22]

Consumer Products: Pürunto Konjac Jelly

For consumers in the Philippines and other international markets, Orihiro is most closely associated with Pürunto Konjac Jelly. The product transforms traditional konjac—a savory ingredient with a firm texture—into a sweet, fruit-flavored snack sold in flexible pouches. The jelly combines konjac powder, fruit juice, and an elastic texture designed for safe consumption.[5]

Varieties and Formats

Orihiro produces a wide range of flavors and functional variants:

  • Fruit Flavors: Includes Grape, White Peach, Muscat, Mandarin, Golden Pineapple, Shine Muscat, and seasonal limited editions.[15][12][11]
  • Zero-Calorie Options: Products such as the Zero Calorie White Peach jelly utilize konjac powder and fruit juice to meet labeling standards allowing “0 kcal” claims for items containing fewer than 5 kcal per 100 g.[7][16]
  • Functional Foods: Variants like Plasma Lactobacillus Konjac Jelly contain L. lactis strain Plasma and are marketed with function claims regarding immune maintenance in healthy individuals.[8]

Specific formulations vary; for example, the White Peach pouch contains 23% fruit juice (peach and apple), while the Grape variant lists 18% fruit juice.[5][6]

Packaging Safety Design

Safety is a critical differentiator for Orihiro’s jelly products. Unlike mini-cup jellies historically associated with choking hazards, Pürunto Konjac Jelly uses a push-out pouch format designed to be squeezed gradually rather than sucked directly from the package. This engineering choice specifically addresses safety concerns documented by food safety authorities regarding gelatinous confections.[14] The packaging technology itself is developed in-house, ensuring the container design aligns with the physical properties of the konjac gel.[20]

Industrial Machinery and Technology

Beyond consumer goods, Orihiro is a manufacturer of industrial food processing and packaging equipment. Its machinery division serves clients in North America, South America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.[21]

Key Technologies

  • Onpack Systems: A vertical pouch filling and packaging system developed over four decades, capable of handling liquids, viscous foods, and solid items.
  • Aseptic Filling: Systems designed to sterilize packaging and fill food under controlled conditions, enabling long shelf life at room temperature without refrigeration. This includes pillow pouches, standing pouches, and T-pouches.[10]
  • Gas Sterilization: Advanced systems using hydrogen peroxide gas to sterilize materials at relatively low temperatures, preserving product quality while ensuring safety.

This machinery expertise underpins the company’s ability to produce its own consumer goods efficiently and safely.[20]

Konjac Raw Material Expertise

Orihiro’s origins lie in Gunma Prefecture, a historic center for konjac cultivation. The company developed proprietary refining technologies to remove impurities and odors from konjac flour while improving viscosity and processing characteristics. This raw material capability provides vertical integration from the agricultural source to the finished food product, distinguishing Orihiro from brands that merely purchase processed ingredients.[17]

Global Corporate Structure

Orihiro operates through specialized entities within the Orihiro Holdings group:

  • ORIHIRO Co., Ltd.: Core corporate entity overseeing machinery, health foods, and raw materials.
  • ORIHIRO Engineering Co., Ltd.: Focuses on R&D and manufacturing of packaging and processing machinery.
  • SUZHOU ORIHIRO Co., Ltd.: Handles machinery and plant production in China.
  • ORIHIRO USA, INC.: Manages international business and machinery support in the United States.
  • ORIHIRO Plantdew Co., Ltd.: Oversees health food and food manufacturing production activities.[4][22]

This structure supports both the export of Japanese consumer products and the provision of industrial food technology to international markets.[23]

Timeline of Key Milestones

Year Event
1972 Founded as Tsuruta Shoji Co., Ltd. in Tomioka, Gunma
1973 Sales offices opened in Tokyo, Osaka, and Sendai
1977 High Mannan launched; Health Food Division established
1978 Machinery factory established
1983 Renamed ORIHIRO Co., Ltd.
1987 ORIHIRO Engineering established
1988 Konjac raw-material company established
2007 SUZHOU ORIHIRO established in China
2009 Aseptic filling system passes U.S. FDA inspection
2010 Konjac Jelly T-Pouch launched
2015 Foods with Function Claims products introduced
2016 ORIHIRO USA, INC. established
2019 New headquarters and ASEP Factory opened
2021 Reorganized as Orihiro Holdings
2025 ORIHIRO Material merged into ORIHIRO Plantdew

[3][13][22]

References

  1. Company Profile | About Us | Orihiro Group
  2. Corporate Philosophy | About Us | Orihiro Group
  3. History | About Us | Orihiro Group
  4. List of Group Companies | About Us | Orihiro Group
  5. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ 白桃 | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  6. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ グレープ | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  7. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリースタンディング カロリーゼロ 白桃 130g | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  8. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ プラズマ乳酸菌(巨峰味) | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  9. About Us | ORIHIRO Health foods
  10. Orihiro pioneers flexible aseptic foodstuff packaging | South China Morning Post
  11. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ 温州みかん | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  12. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ マスカット | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  13. 沿革|会社情報|オリヒロ株式会社(オリヒログループ)
  14. 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  15. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリーパウチ ゴールデンパイン〖期間限定〗 | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  16. ぷるんと蒟蒻ゼリースタンディング カロリーゼロ 白桃[終売品] | 商品紹介 | オリヒロ株式会社 – ORIHIRO – 健康食品
  17. 会社概要|会社情報|オリヒロ株式会社(オリヒログループ)
  18. Business Introduction | Orihiro Group
  19. 歴史を知る|オリヒログループ 採用情報サイト
  20. 機械事業部|事業紹介|オリヒロ株式会社(オリヒログループ)
  21. Support Network|ORIHIRO Co.,Ltd.
  22. グループ会社一覧|会社情報|オリヒロ株式会社(オリヒログループ)
  23. About Us | Orihiro Group
This profile was compiled with AI assistance and reviewed before publishing. How we use AI

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