Our History
Promerus, LLC was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. of Japan on August 1, 2001. The organization was previously the Electronic Materials Group of the 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 downtown Akron, OH, Promerus is focused on growing its business and serving its customers through the development of advanced materials for electronic and other applications.
2025
Named New Leadership
- Promerus named Doug Skilskyj as General Manager, replacing Larry Rhodes, who retired after more than 30 years of service
- Established the “Anion Exchange Membrane Mass Production Preparation Project Team” to commercialize AEM for hydrogen electrolyzers
2024
Exhibited at Industry Conferences
- Exhibited at RadTech 2024 in Orlando, Florida and IMAPS Symposium in Boston, Massachusetts
- Promerus named Hiroshi Nomura as President, replacing Yasushi Arita
2023
Maintained Quality Cerification
- Renewed ISO9001:2015 certification
2020
Relocated to Akron, OH
- Promerus moved to a custom-renovated 38,000 sqf building in downtown Akron.
- Renewed ISO9001:2015 certification
2018
Named New Leadership
- Promerus named Masayuki Inagaki as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, replacing Koji Choki.
- Promerus named Seiji Suzuki as President, replacing 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 ISO9001:2015 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 recognized significant and sustained joint research in polynorbornene with Professor Paul Kohl from Georgia Institute of Technology.
2015
Named New Leadership
- Promerus named Goichiro Kuwaki as President and Koji Choki as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
2014
Obtained 100th Patent
- Promerus named 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 Mr. 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 ISO9001:2008 Certificate.
- Robert Shick became President and Chief Operating Officer.
- Promerus receives Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. President’s Award for New Project Development.
2001
Formed as a Wholly Owned Subsidairy
- Acquisition of BF Goodrich’s Electronic Materials Group completed by Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
- On August 1st, 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).
