Mitsui Chemicals to acquire Ultradent

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 19. June 2026

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TOKYO, Japan: Mitsui Chemicals has announced its intention to fully acquire Ultradent Products, a dental manufacturer based in Utah in the US. Having acquired the German dental manufacturer Heraeus Kulzer—now Kulzer—in 2013, Mitsui Chemicals is no newcomer to dentistry. It now plans to bring the portfolios of Kulzer and Ultradent together and to incorporate a US-based holding company to manage its international dental business.

In a notice on the transaction, Mitsui Chemicals outlined healthcare as one of three high-growth areas it aims to invest in to increase profits. Under the planned transaction, Ultradent’s shares and assets will be acquired by a new holding company wholly owned by Mitsui Chemicals America, the group’s US subsidiary. The transaction has been assigned a preliminary value of US$900 million (€780 million^*) and is expected to close in September after the establishment of the holding company and receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals.

The acquisition presents an opportunity for the Japanese chemicals giant to gain a stronger foothold in the profitable US dental market, an advantage it says it would leverage to create an international oral care business. Kulzer, which is headquartered in Hanau in Germany, has a broad portfolio of dental solutions and a focus on dental restorative materials. Ultradent develops and manufactures dental products, devices and instruments, and tooth whitening systems and restorative materials are key parts of the company’s portfolio.

Mitsui Chemicals stated in the notice: “Kulzer and Ultradent are complementary not only in terms of their geographic footprint but also in terms of their product portfolios, and we determined that this aligns with our growth strategy for the oral care business.” It added: “Following the completion of the acquisition, we will strive to promptly achieve synergies by combining the technologies held by the [companies], and by expanding sales through cross-selling of products, thereby aiming to transform our group into a solutions provider in dental care.”

Dirk Jeffs, president and CEO of Ultradent, said in a company press release: “Mitsui Chemicals brings deep scientific expertise, and our shared commitment to innovation aligns with Ultradent’s values and vision. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership creates to accelerate product development, expand our global reach, and continue delivering exceptional solutions to dental professionals and patients around the world.”

As part of the post-merger integration, Mitsui Chemicals plans to transfer the global headquarters function of its oral care business from Japan to the new US-based holding company. The group said that the move would help it accelerate local decision-making, optimise its operating structure and support the early realisation of synergies between the companies.

Founded in 1978 by Dr Dan Fischer, Ultradent has grown into a major provider. According to Mitsui Chemicals, the company generated sales of US$372 million last year, up from US$352 million a year earlier. Mitsui Chemicals said that Ultradent’s clinical expertise and culture of innovation would complement Kulzer’s strengths in prosthetic and restorative dentistry, enabling the group to offer dental professionals and patients a broader set of solutions.

Editorial note:

^*Calculated on the OANDA platform for 12 June 2026.

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