RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Muroran Research Laboratory

Hiroshima Research Laboratory

Research and development activities were almost entirely

Yokohama Research Laboratory

Basic Research and Development Policy

funded by the Company during fiscal 2015. Combined spending on research and development for the Steel and Energy

We develop new products and businesses by focusing onProducts Business and the Industrial Machinery Products

new energy and energy savings, information and tele-Business amounted to ¥4,292 million (US$38 million).

communications, nanotechnology and materials, andAs a materials and mechatronics company, we strive tonew production technologies, which relate directly toinnovate products and production techniques while also

existing businesses. We have increased collaboration

engaging in diverse technical alliances and joint develop-

between the Research and Development Headquarters

ment to deploy new oerings as quickly as possible.

and business divisions, and aim to cultivate existing busi-

Our Research and Development Headquarters collab-

ness by expanding and upgrading core technologies.

orates with business divisions and Group companies to

We engage in basic research for future technologies

1) improve the capabilities, performance, and reliability

and contemporary social needs and in researching com-of core products; 2) develop offerings in new businessponent technologies for existing products. We will build

fields based on core and differentiated technologies; andon these efforts to undertake R&D projects that create

3) promote the development and commercialization of

new products and businesses and pursue innovations for

new products through synergies with Group companies.

existing products.

The Research and Development Headquarters consist

In Steel Products, we emphasize advances in energyof the head office, and our research laboratories in Muro-and creating even more industry-leading offerings whileran, Hiroshima, and Yokohama.

commercializing new areas. The focuses in Machinery
Products are to enhance plastics machinery, IT equipment, and other industrial machinery. We will allocate
significant resources to such machinery by clarifying that
our commercialization framework is open to mergers,acquisitions and alliances.

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Activities by Business Segment

Industrial Machinery Products Business

Steel and Energy Products BusinessIn this segment, our product development activities
encompass developing advanced processing technologies

Product development centers on materials, notably forfor plastic molding machines, enhancing the performanceclad steel pipes for natural gas transportation, large steelof plastic extruders, developing advanced micro-nanocastings, and forgings and high alloys for high-efficiency

melt transcription molding machines, enhancing the func-

thermal power generation, forged steel products fortions and performance of film molding machines, develop-

advanced nuclear power plants, and high-performanceing technologies to enhance the performance and lower

nonferrous alloys, as well as manufacturing process tech-

the costs of magnesium alloy injection molding machines,

nology development. We improve materials and compo-

developing dampers that comply with European specifica-

nent technologies for existing products. In the renewabletions, and enhancing the efficiency and functions of com-arena, we develop material and component technologies

pressors. Using the latest technologies and systems, weto create lighter and more reliable pressure accumulators

also develop laser annealing systems for thin-film transis-

for hydrogen fueling stations. We create analytical tech-

tor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD) production and devices

nologies and enhance component technologies tofor other laser applications, as well as chemical vapor

improve the reliability of wind power plants.

deposition (CVD) and plasma devices.

Segment R&D spending totaled ¥1,356 million (US$12million) in fiscal 2015.

R&D spending in this segment was ¥2,935 million(US$26 million) in fiscal 2015.

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