Our History

Promerus, LLC was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Bakelite Co. of Japan on August 1, 2001. The organization was previously the Electronic Materials Group of the BFGoodrich Company. As a member of the Sumitomo Bakelite family, Promerus represents a significant presence in North America for both research and commercial activities related to polycyclic olefins. From its offices and laboratories in suburban Cleveland, OH, Promerus is focused on growing its business and serving its customers through the development of advanced materials for electronic and other applications.

2018

Named New Leadership

Promerus named Mr. Masayuki Inagaki as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mr. Koji Choki.
Promerus named Mr. Seiji Suzuki as President, replacing Mr. Goichiro Kuwaki.
Exhibited at SID Display Week in Los Angeles, California and IDTechEx Show! in Santa Clara, California.

2017

Maintained Certification with Quality Standards

Obtained ISO 9001:2015 Certification.
Exhibited at IMAPS 50th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Exhibited at Printed Electronics USA in Santa Clara, California.

2016

Continued Research and Development

Obtained 120th U.S. Patent.
Dr. Edmund Elce received the Award for Cooperative Research from the ACS Polymer Materials Science and Engineering Division. This award recognizes significant and sustained joint research in polynorbornenes with Professor Paul Kohl from Georgia Institute of Technology.

2015

Named New Leadership

Promerus named Mr. Goichiro Kuwaki as President and Mr. Koji Choki as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

2014

Obtained 100th Patent

Promerus named Mr. Koji Choki as President, replacing Dr. Robert Shick, who relocated to the Sumitomo Bakelite facility in Utsunomiya, Japan.
Obtained 100th U.S. Patent.

2013

Dominated Crain's Patent Power Index

“Patent Power: Strong ideas start here” – Soder, C., et al. Crain’s Cleveland Business 2013.

2012

Named New Leadership

Promerus named Dr. Andrew Bell as Chief Operating Officer, replacing Dr. Robert Shick, who continues in his role as President.

2011

Accepted Funds from the U.S. Department of Energy

Obtained 80th U.S. Patent.
US DOE Funds Joint Development Project.

2008

Received President's Award

Obtained 60th U.S. Patent.
Promerus Receives President’s Award from Parent Company, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd..

2006

Completed Quality Certifications

Obtained ISO-9001:2008 Certificate.
Robert Shick became President and Chief Operating Officer.
Promerus receives Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. President’s Award for New Product Development.

2001

Formed as a Wholly Owned Subsidiary

Acquisition of BF Goodrich's Electronic Materials Group completed by Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd..
On August 1, Promerus, LLC is formed as a wholly owned subsidiary with Malcolm Miles as President and Chief Operating Officer.

1992

Developed Breakthrough Material

Breakthrough catalytic and synthetic event involving new high activity catalyst and new, novel high temperature functionalized poly(norbornene).