70 Years Supporting Analytical Operations
The Evolution of Shimadzu GC and a Vision for the Future

This year marks the 70th anniversary of Shimadzu’s first gas chromatograph (GC), which was developed in Japan in 1956. Since then, Shimadzu GC systems have evolved to meet changing customer demands and emerging societal needs. Our latest flagship model, the Nexis GC-2060, represents the peak of this technological evolution. As we look back on the history of Shimadzu GC, we also share our vision for the future through the perspective of the product development leader.

The History of GC

GC is an analytical instrument used to analyze gaseous substances and components that become gaseous when heated. It can be used to analyze components in air and odors, as well as volatile compounds found in liquids.

Since developing Japan’s first GC, Shimadzu has continually pursued greater sensitivity, faster analysis, and improved usability, creating innovative technologies and products along the way. Shimadzu GC systems have contributed to advances across a wide range of fields, including pharmaceutical research, environmental analysis, and petrochemical testing, supporting scientific progress and helping address societal challenges.

Here are some key milestones from Shimadzu’s 70-year history of GC development.

Year	Milestone	Description
1956	Japan’s first GC developed	Gas chromatography, the technique for separating and analyzing vaporized compounds into their individual components, was first invented in 1952. Just four years later, Shimadzu introduced Japan’s first GC. This instrument helped support the growth of Japan’s petroleum industry and became the foundation of Shimadzu’s GC technology.
1957	Mass production of the GC-1A begins	Growing demand for petroleum and gas analysis led Shimadzu to full-scale production of the GC-1A. GC expanded beyond research laboratories into industrial applications.
1963	Enhanced system expandability	Anticipating broader analytical needs, Shimadzu introduced a design that allowed multiple detectors to be used simultaneously, enabling a single system to handle a wider range of analyses.
1986	Real-time display of analytical results	Shimadzu was among the first to implement a real-time on-screen display that allowed users to check instrument status and analytical results.
2000	Improved productivity through PC integration	Dedicated GCsolution software streamlined data processing and management, significantly improving analytical workflow productivity.
2017	Support for alternative carrier gases Nexis GC-2030 released	In addition to helium, the system also delivers high analytical accuracy and sensitivity when using alternative carrier gases such as hydrogen and nitrogen. Features including hydrogen sensors enable safe and stable operation.
2023	Compact size with improved throughput Brevis GC-2050 released	Despite its compact footprint, the system supports multiple simultaneous analyses. It maintains high performance and ease of use while reducing installation space requirements and power consumption.

The Culmination of 70 Years of GC Development: The Release of the Nexis GC-2060

On March 17, Shimadzu launched its new high-end GC, the Nexis GC-2060. This instrument represents the culmination of its 70 years of GC technology development. It combines world-class detector sensitivity with outstanding ease of use, enabling highly efficient analysis across a wide range of applications, from research and development to quality control, regardless of the operator’s experience. To meet the growing demand for gas analysis driven by carbon neutrality initiatives and GX (green transformation), it supports next-generation analytical operations with flexible operation that enables the required analyses to be performed whenever they are needed.

Comment from the Shimadzu GC Development Leader

Nexis GC-2060 and the development team members at GC & TA Business Unit, Analytical & Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation. From left: Fukushima, Manager (Instrument Development Group); Terai, General Manager; and Takechi, GC Product Manager

The history of Shimadzu GC and the evolution of its technologies are also featured on the Shimadzu Gas Chromatograph 70th Anniversary website. In addition to historical information and product introductions, the site will continue to add new content, including user interviews and articles exploring the stories behind product development.