Kikkoman entered the soymilk business in 2004 through a business alliance with Kibun Foods Inc. It was a decision aimed at further expanding the beverage division from a synergy between soymilk and Del Monte's tomato beverage, both of which fall into the category of health-conscious beverages. In 2005, the year following the business alliance, Del Monte and Kibun jointly launched chilled soups and chilled beverages under their respective brands.
The soymilk products continued to be sold under the “Kibun” logo even after the business alliance. However, in 2008, when Kibun Food Chemifa Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Kibun Foods Inc., became a wholly owned subsidiary of Kikkoman, the “Kikkoman” logo was added to the packaging in 2011. In 2015, which is four years later since then, the products underwent a gradual packaging renewal and started being sold under the Kikkoman brand. The brand transition was carefully carried out to avoid the confusion of consumers.
Since the alliance, Kikkoman Soymilk has actively pursued product development. Among them, soymilk beverages that combine various ingredients and flavors have gained significant popularity in the market. Fruit flavors like banana, yuzu, mango, traditional Japanese flavors like matcha and black sesame, as well as dessert-inspired beverages combining almond, vanilla, chocolate, and more—these surprising combinations and fresh flavors have created a buzz each time a new flavor was released. Currently, the soymilk lineup consists of approximately 40 products.
Kikkoman will continue to expand the lineup of plant-based milk, including soymilk, and develop more products by leveraging the brand diversity and its proprietary fermentation technology.
