Japan’s evolving role in semiconductors and electronics
As demands from the semiconductor and electronics industries become increasingly complex, Japan’s equipment
and material manufacturers are on hand to provide market-leading solutions.
Global semiconductor growth contribution per application

Semiconductors market size, 2002 to 2030 (USD Billion)

CAGR, 2021-30, %7

CAGR: 8.7%
908.92598.936
7651.03
590
35
50
60
50

466.329Growth contribution
per vertical, 2021-30, %

1,065
60

Wired communication

5

95

Consumer electronics

10

130

Industrial electronics

15

150

Automotive electronics
20

13
280

Wireless communication

350

Computing and data
storage

100%

6

170

225

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

Source: Vantage Market ResearchWith the emergence of new technologies suchas AI, VR, Big Data, the Internet of Things,
electric and autonomous vehicles, and 5G/6G
internet, demand for semiconductors continues
to grow at a rapid pace. Indeed, it is thanks to
the rapid advancement of semiconductors, thebuilding blocks of our digital world, that suchtechnologies have been able to ﬂourish. And
as chips have become increasingly faster andsmaller, the materials and techniques used todevelop them must constantly evolve.
“This rapid advancement in semiconductor
technology is driving various applications, including the rising popularity of generative AI, and thedevelopment of virtual reality and autonomous
driving systems. Such innovations would not be
possible without continuous improvements in thesemiconductor industry, making it the driving force
behind numerous technological breakthroughs,”
highlights Toshiki Kawai, Representative Director,
President and CEO of Tokyo Electron (TEL).
While Japan is no longer the dominant player
in global semiconductor production, Japanesecompanies still lead the world when it comesto the materials and manufacturing equipmentused to make chips. As such, they are wellplaced to support the demand for ever-smaller
and higher-performing semiconductors. One ofJapan’s leading players, TEL, which produces
equipment for the production of cutting-edge
semiconductor devices and ﬂat panel displays,
is doing just that, investing heavily in R&D to ensure its processing equipment is top of its ﬁeld.
“The semiconductor market reached USD
574 billion in the 2022 ﬁscal year, and it isprojected to skyrocket to over USD 1 trillion
by 2030 (Source: 2022 (WSTS)/ 2030 (IBS,
August 2023)), nearly doubling its size,” says
Mr. Kawai. “Global data trafﬁc is expected tohave an average compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 26% (Source: Omdia (1990-2030)),
growing tenfold in a decade. The future will also
see an increase in bit-based computing, alongsidequantum computing, and neural network-based
computer processing is anticipated.”“While some argue that we have entered the Big
Data era, we believe we are only on the cusp,” he

2028

2029

2030

5

2021

25

2030

Source: McKinsey & Company

adds. “Consequently, there will be a rising demand
for advanced semiconductor technologies. Currently, Tokyo Electron holds about 22,000 patents
for semiconductor production equipment, making
us the industry leader. To strengthen our position
further, we continue to invest signiﬁcantly in R&D,
having already invested JPY 600 billion between
FY2018 and FY2022, with plans to invest over
JPY 1 trillion between FY2023 and FY2027. These
investments have resulted in groundbreaking
achievements, such as etching process equipment
capable of reaching a depth of 10 microns two
and a half times faster than previous capabilities
while consuming over 40% less power.”
A leading manufacturer of materials, components and solutions for printed circuit boards(PCBs), FICT is also investing heavily in R&D
to develop groundbreaking technologies. Having pioneered technologies such as Organic
Flip-Chip BGA Substrate (FC-BGA), a global
standard in semiconductor substrate packaging,
and F-ALCS (F-All Layer Connection Structure),
which maximizes the wiring capacity of printed
wiring boards (over 60 layers) through paste
ﬁlling and metal bonding, the company’s R&D
efforts today are focusing on the transition
towards glass-made substrates.
“We believe that given the prevalent trendof wiring pattern (line/space) miniaturization,transitioning toward glass substrates becomesincreasingly crucial,” says FICT’s former president
Seiji Miyoshi. “Through our F-ALCS technology
initiative, we aimed to pivot toward laminatedglass technology. Unlike the conventional approach reliant on organic materials, our transition
to glass empowers us to layer these components.
A viable application lies in potential collaborations
with LCD panel manufacturers. This collaboration
could involve integrating a glass substrate into thesemiconductor packaging with our G-ALCS (Glass
All Layer Z-Connection Structure) technology,
opening new avenues for advancement.”
Amid the increasing demand for chips, there
has been a revitalization of semiconductor production in both Japan and the United States.
In Japan, TSMC is establishing a new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Kumamoto incollaboration with Sony, while in the U.S., Intel
is building two new fabs as the U.S. government
has approved a package that will pump billions
into stimulating the industry. Such developments
bode well for Japanese ﬁrms, including Iwata andCo., Kanto Chemical, VALQUA and KEL.
With the revival of the industry in Japan, Dr.
Takuya Iwata, President of Iwata & Co. – which
provides high-purity chemicals and materials
essential for semiconductor manufacturing
processes – warns that enhancing the supply
chain will be crucial. “The paramount concern
regarding the semiconductor industry’s further
growth in Japan lies not only in investment but
also in bolstering supply chain resilience. It is
crucial for the Japanese government to extend
support to local semiconductor manufacturers
and the companies that play a pivotal role insustaining the entire industry. By mirroring thedomestic supply chain structure implemented
by the automotive industry, we can fortify thesemiconductor sector’s stability and growth.”
For its part, Iwata established a subsidiary in
2020, which is playing a crucial role in the rapidly
expanding semiconductor industry in the Kyushu
region. “These small-scale factories epitomize
the essence of Japanese craftsmanship, andSMEs like ours possess and maintain advanced
Japanese technology,” adds Dr. Iwata. “Our subsidiary represents one of our core strengths, excelling in custom ordering production equipment
and maintaining an efﬁcient annual maintenancesystem. Their contributions are indispensable tothe success of new semiconductor manufacturing brands and processes.”
VALQUA Group is a pioneering company inthe ﬁelds of seal engineering and resin-basedmaterials for a wide range of industries, including
semiconductors. Chairman and CEO, Toshikazu
Takisawa, is optimistic about the company’s potential for growth as a result of the expansion of
the chip industry in Japan and the U.S. “We alignwith the U.S. and work with Western countries
to re-establish the supply chain together. TSMC
and Rapidus are investing and building factories
in Japan once again. And apparently, we areregaining the attention of these companies. Weare their global supplier, so we will be able to caterto them domestically too, in Japan. Also, we are
now about to build new factories in Japan, and weare relocating our manufacturing location from
China to other countries in the Asian region. I am
taking the U.S.-China decoupling rather positively
because it may serve as a trigger to bring backmonozukuri manufacturing probabilities to Japan.
Moreover, it could be the start of another technical innovation expansion in Japan.”
Like Iwata, Kanto Chemical supplies high-purity
chemicals to the semiconductor industry andalready exports its products to the U.S., while thecompany has been exporting to countries suchas Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China sincethe 1990s. “We are dedicated to strengthening
our presence in these countries and regions byenhancing our factories and providing comprehensive support to our local customers in thesemiconductor industry,” says Manabu Nozawa,
President and CEO of Kanto Chemical. “Currently,
our priority market is the United States, which isexperiencing a resurgence in the semiconductor
sector. Given the discussions on economic security,
we are actively pursuing opportunities to penetrate the U.S. market. Our efforts are centered inJapan, and we are collaborating with Kanto-PPC
in Taiwan and Kanto Corporation in the U.S., alongwith our partner companies, to launch a robust
sales promotion campaign within the U.S. market.”
Turning attention back to Japan, Sean M.
Stack, President and CEO of Proterial – which
supplies high-quality, cutting-edge materials toseveral industries, including automotives andsemiconductors – says that Japan offers anadvantageous ecosystem for semiconductor development in two key areas.
“First is the equipment used to manufacture
semiconductors, which is a big opportunity.
We support both equipment manufacturers
and chip makers by providing specialty steel,electric wires and cables, lead frame materials, and silicon carbide for the chip-making
process. Our relationship with customers in thisdomain is strong, and we constantly evaluate
investment opportunities every quarter to meetthe increasing demand, reduce lead times, andsecure the supply chain,” he explains.
“The second advantage of operating in Japanis the close proximity and collaboration withJapanese equipment manufacturers and chipmakers. This proximity enables efficient coordination and shorter lead times for securing equipment necessary for our materials production.
Customers are coming to us probably earlier
than expected because of the demand and theopportunities they see.”
A company that provides state-of-the-art connectors essential for industrial, automotive, electronics and communication equipment, including
5G and 6G technologies, KEL sees ample potential
for business growth with the prospective rebootof Japan’s semiconductor industry domestically.
“The more semiconductors are consumed andproduced, the more connectors are used. For
instance, when there is an increase in the usageof PCBs on which semiconductors are mounted,
connectors that connect these PCBs see higher

demand,” explains president Akira Kasuga. “Ifsemiconductor development and engineering
return to Japan, it would facilitate application
development and provide more opportunities
for us to focus on specifications. Previously, it
was challenging for KEL to participate in suchactivities overseas. The return of production anddevelopment to Japan, especially for automotive
applications, would benefit us since we havenumerous automotive manufacturer clients.”
With the trend towards miniaturization,
semiconductors have become increasingly
smaller, and removing the nano-sized particles
that can impact their performance and quality
is a crucial part of the manufacturing, transport and packaging processes. In the area ofsemiconductor cleaning equipment, Japanesecompanies like AICELLO and Miyatsu have andwill continue to lead the charge.
“In semiconductor production, every step requires a particular chemical packed and transported with our containers. The size of semiconductor products is becoming smaller, thus, there
is a higher chance for contamination or impurities
during the process to cause defects to the end
product,” says Satoshi Morita, President and CEO
of AICELLO Corporation. “To that end, because
chemical manufacturers are required to keep theirproducts as clean as possible, they also demand
the cleanest packaging with high purity. We are
the only company that can realize the needed
quality for plastic-based bottles for the storageof semiconductor-related chemical products.”
Miyatsu, meanwhile, has developed pioneering
technology that is a vital part of the semiconductor
process. The company’s MG6500R, for example,
is a batch-ashing device that removes impurities
or organic matter from the wafer. Chiharu Miyata,
Chairman and CEO of Miyatsu, explains: “At theheart of our MG Series lies the plasma emitter, avital component that has been a cornerstone ofour machinery for over two decades. Ashing, also
known as plasma etching, serves as an entry process and may seem daunting to some, but in reality,
it is not as difficult as perceived. Once the plasma
emitter achieves stability, it efficiently cleans thewafer surfaces, making it a crucial element in maintaining clean and smooth surfaces. This equipment
has been highly acclaimed by our customers due
to its safety and user-friendly nature.”
Moving beyond semiconductors to the wider
electronics field, JNC develops high-performing
materials for LCD and OLED technologies, aswell as silane coupling agents for semiconductor encapsulation materials. JNC’s performance
products for liquid crystals and organic EL cancontribute to energy conservation, while thecompany’s blue light-emitting materials support
the creation of OLED displays with high color
reproducibility that are less stressful on the eyes.
“In the silicone field, we are developing reactive silicon agents and silicon coupling agentsthat can be applied to contact lenses and heatdissipation materials. Many coupling agents arealso used as semiconductor encapsulants,” says
JNC president Keizo Yamada, who also reveals
that the company hopes to play a role in a recently
announced joint venture between Japan Display

Inc and China’s HKC on OLED technology. “Somecompanies have expressed interest in our silicon
products in Europe and other regions outside of
the U.S. and Asia, and we would like to launchand spread our silicon products in those regionsin the near future,” he adds.
The growing electronics industry has becomea priority area for Sanwa Pump, whose stainlesssteel magnetic pumps are used in the petrochemicals industry, electronics and semiconductor IC
manufacturing, as well in pharmaceuticals andfood processing. “The electronics industry has
become a focus area for us, along with the foodindustry. While petrochemicals remain important,
we are actively pursuing further diversificationof our applications,” explains president Kiyotaka
Horiuchi, who hopes to establish more successful
business partnerships like that which led to thedevelopment of a new type of pump suited forsemiconductor applications.
“Looking to the future, we recognize the global
trend towards carbon neutrality. We aim tocontribute to this goal by aligning our businesswith the carbon-neutral field. We anticipate theneed for new technology, products, equipment,
and development in this area. I believe that our
stainless steel magnetic pumps are well-suited for
applications that require liquid agents in achievingcarbon neutrality. We are committed to playing
a role in this important endeavor.”
Supporting the shift to carbon neutrality is also
an important endeavor for Nitto Kohki, which
manufactures couplings for electric vehicles (EVs),
hydrogen fuel stations and lithium-ion batteries(LiBs). “The material used for lithium-ion batteries is a liquid electrolyte solution that requires
couplings for its transportation,” says president
and CEO, Akinobu Ogata. “And the increased needfor LiBs is leading to an increase in Nitto Kohki’s
business as our products are a crucial part of thebattery-making process. Additionally, with theadvancements made in hydrogen, we are seeing an
increase in our business opportunities in that sector too. We have great potential in both directions.”
Due to the heaviness of LiBs, aluminum, which
has emerged as an alternative to ferrous steel
in the automotive industry, plays a crucial role inoffsetting the weight of these batteries in EVs. SEC
Carbon, which offers a range of innovative graphite
and carbon products used in several industries,
produces SK-B graphitized cathode blocks crucial
for aluminum production. “Utilizing aluminum helps
to reduce overall CO2 emissions, so we are indirectly
contributing to a carbon-neutral society, as ourcathode blocks facilitate aluminum production,”says Nakajima Koh, President of SEC Carbon.
“With the increasing prevalence of EVs, we
anticipate further opportunities to fortify this
aspect of our business. To align with global trends,
we have set our sights on targeting the domestic
market in Japan, as well as China and the U.S. forexpansion in this sector.”“Our goal is to maintain our position as theworld’s leading provider of cathode blocks,”
adds Mr. Koh. “We are dedicated to pushing
the boundaries of innovation and introducing
special products that pave the way toward acarbon-neutral society.”

Tokyo Electron makes R&D investment pledge toensure company’s prosperity and continuous growth
The company’s long-established commitment to technological innovation, creativity
and dreaming big means the future is as bright as ever.

“At Tokyo Electron, we
embrace the conceptof Creating Shared
Value, leveraging ourcorporate expertiseto address various
social issues as wellas contributing tosociety.”
Toshiki Kawai,
Representative Director,
President & CEO,Tokyo Electron Ltd.
Since the invention of transistors in 1947, the semiconductor
industry has seen the emergenceof PCs in the 90s, mobile communications in the 2000s and,most recently, significant growth
in AI-centric and virtual reality
applications. In other words, it isthe driving force behind numerous technological breakthroughs,
a state of affairs reflected by
the fact that the semiconductor
market reached USD 574 billion
in fiscal year 2022, and is predicted to almost double by 2030
(Source: 2022 (WSTS)/ 2030
(IBS, August 2023)).
Meanwhile, the so-called
MAGIC market (a term originally coined by Tokyo Electron)
encompassing the Metaverse, Autonomous mobility, Green energy,
IoT/information, and Communications (MAGIC), is also expected to
grow steadily in the next decade,with demand for semiconductor
production equipment increasingaround the globe.
The semiconductor industry,
therefore, is expected to have abright long-term future, but thecompanies involved in the sec-

tor need to sit tight and prepare
for the future. For its part, Tokyo
Electron (TEL), which will sooncelebrate its 60th anniversary,has set a new vision.
President and CEO Toshiki
Kawai emphasizes that TEL’s vision is to be: “‘A company filledwith dreams and vitality that contributes to technological innovation in semiconductors.’ Indeed,
we currently hold about 22,000
patents for semiconductor production equipment, making us
the industry leader.”“At TEL,” he continues, “weleverage our expertise in semiconductor production equipment
to contribute to the world’s digitalization efforts and support
environmental sustainability,
promoting the realization of amore carbon-neutral society. By
doing so, we enhance both our
corporate value and society’s
sustainable growth.”
Key here is the company’ssustained investment in R&D.
Mr. Kawai takes up the thread:“We are investing significantly
in R&D, having already invested
JPY 600 billion between FY2018
and FY2022, and with plans toinvest over JPY 1 trillion between
FY2023 and FY2027.”
So far, the investments havebeen a startling success. See, forexample, groundbreaking innovations such as etching processequipment capable of reachinga depth of 10 microns at morethan twice the speed of previous
capabilities while also consuming 40% less power.
In addition to increased R&D
funding, the firm has both expanded the production capacityof existing plants and built newplants, and plans to invest 124
billion yen in capital expenditures this fiscal year.
Mr. Kawai highlights the importance of R&D investment. “When I
joined TEL in 1986,” he says, “theJapanese semiconductor industry
held a global market share of 50%,
but when the economic bubble
burst, many Japanese firms halted
their capital investments. In contrast, our overseas customers,such as Taiwanese and Korean
semiconductor manufacturers,
persisted in their investments. We
must keep these insights at theforefront of our minds to ensure
prosperity and further growth.”

TEL will continue to cater todifferent customer needs andnew entries into the field. Mr.
Kawai again: “Our company
boasts a diverse product lineup,
leveraging various cutting-edge
technologies. From deposition,
coating/development and etching
to cleaning, we have a wide arrayof offerings. Our products areunderpinned by extensive chemical knowledge, and drawing fromthis rich expertise, we are able topresent our clients with a rangeof proposals and solutions.”
Looking to the future, the company is aiming to achieve morethan JPY 3 trillion in net sales, anoperating margin of over 35% andat least a 30% return on investment (ROE) by fiscal year 2027.
Exciting times are ahead,
meanwhile, for the country andJapanese firms as a whole. With
comparatively lower profit ratios than larger US and European companies, there is a wealthof opportunities for growth andenhancement, opportunities
that are there for the taking if
companies such as TEL can continue to demonstrate tangible
progress and growth.

Iwata: “Chemical industry has a roleto play in shaping sustainable future”
Expertise in developing new functional materials, production technologies, and quality processes positions
Japan’s chemical industry at the forefront of confronting modern challenges.
As with every other global economy,
Japanese industry was profoundly
affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
and the recent decoupling of U.S.China relations. Nevertheless, Japanese manufacturers have remained
steadfastly committed to the principles of quality control and stablesupply. In this rapidly evolving
political and economic landscape,Japan’s chemical industry has beensignificantly impacted by environmental concerns and international
trend towards carbon neutrality.
Nevertheless, Japanese chemicalcompanies have long demonstrated
a strong commitment to addressing
environmental issues, says Dr. Takuya
Iwata, the President of Iwata & Co.
“All chemical companies havea pivotal role to play in shaping asustainable future. Many of thesecompanies, including ours, adeptly
navigate these challenges using
conventional facilities whilst we are
actively engaging in diesel transformation and mobility innovation. Our
expertise in Japan for developing
new functional materials, production
technologies, and adherence to stringent quality processes positions us at
the forefront of the global chemicalindustry when it comes to confronting these modern challenges.”“I must say though,” he continues, “the responsibility towards environmental sustainability extends
far beyond the chemical industry
alone. It is incumbent upon businesses worldwide to adopt andimplement more robust measuresand ambitious goals, in a collective
effort to safeguard our planet andconserve our environment for thegenerations to come.”
Confronting its environmental
impact is just one challenge facing the semiconductor industry,
however. The sector has also been
impacted over the last couple ofyears as a result of increased inventories and drops in demand due
to tightening monetary policies,
causing the industry to take a significant downturn over the last few
months in particular. Nevertheless,all major companies in the sector
are expected to rebound over thesecond half of 2023. Reasons for“As a renowned traderof chemicals, Iwata &Co. is looking to further
contribute to the growthof the semiconductor
industry.”Dr. Takuya Iwata,
President,
Iwata & Co., Ltd.

Customized wet cleaner

New-type sealant for buildings

High-quality sealant

optimism include consumptiondriven recovery in China, spikes indemand for microchips in electricvehicles and AI applications, aswell as a pause in interest hikes.
“At Iwata & Co., we take pridein our ability to navigate throughexceptionally challenging times, anda key factor in our success has been
the establishment of resilience inour supply chain,” says the company president. “Thanks to this, we
possess the capacity to cater to awide array of chemicals, including
high-purity chemicals and materials

essential for semiconductor manufacturing processes. Nevertheless,as similar semiconductor facilities
are established within Japan, we
recognize the need to adapt our
supply approach accordingly.”
The paramount concern regarding the semiconductor industry’s
further growth in Japan lies not
only in investment but also in further bolstering supply chain resilience, stresses Dr. Iwata. “It is crucial for the Japanese government
to extend support to local semiconductor manufacturers and thecompanies that play a pivotal rolein sustaining the entire industry,”
he says. “By mirroring the domestic
supply chain structure implemented
by the automotive industry, we canfortify the semiconductor sector’s
stability and growth.”
When it comes to semiconductor manufacturing, the industry is
now also experiencing a shift in thematerials used. Silicon carbide andgallium nitride have been receiving
increased attention because of their
excellent physical characteristics
such as high heat resistance, which
in turn helps to enable more efficient electronic equipment.
“We eagerly embrace this potential revolution in the semiconductor industry, particularly for
new applications,” says Dr. Iwata.
“As novel materials are adopted,
or existing applications are enhanced, novel processes become
essential, thereby creating lucrative business prospects. Japanesecompanies, in particular, enjoy anadvantage in providing high-quality materials and equipment. We
are committed to supplying thenecessary chemicals and equipment to facilitate the utilizationof these cutting-edge materials.”
Iwata Group is now exploringsuch opportunities in its production facilities, with a new
subsidiary established in 2020
playing a crucial role in a rapidly
expanding semiconductor industry in the Kyushu region.
“These small-scale factories epitomize the essence of Japanese craftsmanship, and SMEs like ours possess
and maintain advanced Japanesetechnology,” points out Dr. Iwata.
“Our subsidiary represents one of
our core strengths, excelling in custom ordering production equipment
and maintaining an efficient annual
maintenance system. Their contributions are indispensable to the successof new semiconductor manufacturing brands and processes, with theirperformance expected to soar by animpressive 250% this year.”www.iwata-cc.jp/index.php/en

AICELLO: Cutting-edge solutions in clean packaging
As semiconductor performance improves and miniaturization progresses, the ultimate clean packaging that can control
defects and metal ions is required, with the need for AICELLO’s clean container and film solution rapidly increasing.

You can check out the products that incorporate AICELLO’s latest technology at the company’s booth at
this year’s SEMICON® EUROPA (link below).

“Reducing the defects
created by thesemiconductor process
is indispensable. Our goal
is to attain zero defects
from the transport andpackaging processes.”

2050 global society will use approximately 200 times more power thanit does today. In IT-related areas,that figure is expected to rise to
more like 4,000 times current levels.
All of which poses a conundrum
for not just the IT sector but thesemiconductor industry as a whole.
Miniaturization or microfabrication,
based on a principle developed in1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founderof Intel, offers a potential solution.
“By reducing the circuit line
width by half,” says AICELLO
Corporation President Satoshi
Morita, “we can lessen power
consumption by a quarter.”
In order to achieve miniaturization, however, reducing thedefects brought on by semiconductor production and packaging
processes is crucial.

Satoshi Morita,
President & CEO,AICELLO Corporation
The first silicon transistor was
built in the USA in 1947, an eventthat is widely heralded as a development that changed everything.
Today, with technology node
sizes moving from millimeters tonanos (and beyond), it is fair to saythat the art of miniaturization has
revolutionized the semiconductor
industry, leading to the development of high-performance microprocessors capable of powering
a whole range of devices that wehave come to consider as indispensable to our daily lives.
Some food for thought at thispoint: at the current rate of consumption, it is estimated that by

Mr. Morita again: “With the sizeof semiconductor products growing ever smaller, there is a higher
chance that contamination or impurities during the process will cause
defects to the end product. In termsof contamination from packaging,
there are three potential causes ofdefects. First is the physical particles; second is the outgas and metal
ions that come from resins and resin
catalysts; and lastly there is the
production environment.”
In other words, thepackaging, storage
and transportation ofsemiconductor related chemical products
needs to be as clean
as possible – which iswhere AICELLO’s CB
Bottle comes in.
First developed
over 20 years ago,
when, according to
Mr. Morita, “there
was not as much
CLEANBARRIER bottle helps maintaindemand as there
the cleanliness of cutting-edge materials
is today”, CLEAN-

BARRIER (CB) bottles are blowmolded, multi-layered, high density
polyethylene bottles designed tocarry ultra-pure semiconductor
grade chemicals. Lighter, stronger
and more hard-wearing than traditional glass bottles, their purity andelution prevention performance
have won rave reviews in the semiconductor industry.

AICELLO, a firm that has cultivated a sense of urgency about
the environmental impact of its
business ever since its establishment almost a century ago in
1933, hopes that they will one day
replace glass bottles altogether.
Originally active in the cellophane industry, the firm shifted
its core business to polyethylene
films and bottles in the 1970s,
dramatically downsizing theirportfolio of products in 2008,
when with Mr. Morita installed
as director of marketing, it began pursuing a company-wide
policy known as ‘CBS’ (CLEAN,BOSELON, SOLUBLON).
A company with a long history
of innovation, which has survived
periods of economic downturn only
to emerge as an internationally renowned pillar of industry, AICELLO
highly values the concept of “Dantotsu”, which refers to a productor business that is one of a kind,or impossible to replicate.
And, says Mr. Morita, “ourclean packaging technology reallyis one of a kind”, which createshuge value in “supporting thesemiconductor industry throughhigh purity process chemical
packaging and manufacturing
equipment parts packaging.”“As far as we know,” he continues, “AICELLO is the first to

start bottle production within acleanroom, something no one had
considered doing before we beganwork in this field.”
Nor does development stop at
bottle production. Take, for example,
the company’s HYPERCLEAN Bag
MA24, which is used for the packaging of hard disks and other easily
contaminated devices.
According to Mr. Morita, it “exhibits a level of purity that is different
from the polyethylene bags traditionally used by semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturers.”
Its biggest feature, he continues,
is the world’s first standard management of outgas as a packaging
material, outgas being a component that is potentially detrimental
to semiconductor manufacturing
equipment, which can cause defects
to the end product.

MA24 contributes tosemiconductor miniaturization
Integrating the latest technology among the company’s clean
bag grades, the MA24 has recently been adopted by one of theworld’s leading semiconductor
manufacturing equipment firms,
and has been recognized for its
commercial value. It is, moreover,becoming an industry standard
for the storage and transportation of semiconductor manufacturing equipment parts.
For more information about
AICELLO, those interested areencouraged to visit the company’sbooth at SEMICON®EUROPA, thesingle largest event for electronics
manufacturing in Europe, with arange of speakers and networking
sessions aimed at business andtechnology leaders, researchers,
and industry analysts from acrossthe microelectronics supply chain.

Leading PCB firm prioritizes sustainability
FICT is positioning itself to be a true key player in the
global market in testing probe cards.

“We aim to join ourforces with businessand technology
partners to create asustainable society.”
Seiji Miyoshi,
President, FICT Ltd.
(August 2023 Interview)
Established in 1967 as the PCB business unit of Fujitsu, FICT is today
an independent company that lives
by the same founding philosophy toprovide and develop state-of-the-art
PCB solutions for global customers.
In 2001, the company invented
the Organic Flip-Chip BGA Substrate (FC-BGA), a new technology that has now become a global
standard in the semiconductor pack-age substrate world. “Applying the process solutions to reduce wastesame technology to our probe card water treatment and electricity
consumption as muchproducts allowed us
as possible,” says Mr.
to develop high perMiyoshi. “As the realm
formance ST Board,of high-speed compositioning our communication pushes
pany as a key player
the boundaries, signal
in the global market
transmissions now
in testing probe cards
soar beyond 100 GHz.
(ST Board),” says Seiji
However, the convenMiyoshi, CEO of FICT.
tional through-hole
Another techProbe Card (ST Board)stub introduces
nology that thea disruptive
company has dei n te r fe re n c eveloped is the Fwithin this
ALCS (F-All Layer
wavelength. In
Connection Struccontrast, by usture), which maxiing our conducmizes the wiring
Multilayer Glass Substrate
tive paste, ourcapacity of printed
wiring boards (over Prototype (G-ALCS Technology) any-layer IVH
60 layers) through paste ﬁlling and (Interstitial Via Hole) with a onemetal bonding. “The distinctiveness time lamination approach stands asof this technology lies in its align- a stubless solution, facilitating uninment with the escalating environ- terrupted high-speed transmission.”
Given the prevalent trend of
mental concerns of our times. Given
the contemporary emphasis on sus- pursuing a ﬁner wiring pitch, trantainability, we search for alternative sitioning toward glass substrates

Cross Section of our
76 layers PCB madewith our F-ALCS
Technology
is now becoming
increasingly crucial.
Through its F-ALCS
technology evolution,
known as G-ALCS,
the company is now focusing on
evolving toward laminated glass
technology.
“Going forward, we aim to join
our forces with business and technology partners and customers
to create a sustainable society
with our advanced technologies,”
outlines Mr. Miyoshi.

www.ﬁct-g.com/en

Insights from a visionary in manufacturing:
unveiling trends and challenges
Exploring the multifaceted nature of Japan’s manufacturing, Miyatsu possesses expertise from intricate semiconductor
technologies to engineering advanced machinery.

“Embracing thismindset allows us todiscover niches, leading
to opportunities forcorporate growth.”
Chiharu Miyata,
Chairman & CEO,Miyatsu Co., Ltd.

MG8500

MG6500MG200

Japanese ﬁrm Miyatsu understands
the relationship between hardware
and software is key in system development. Primarily an equipment
manufacturer in the semiconductor
and infrastructure ﬁelds, Miyatsu
recognizes that solely focusing on
manufacturing can mean losing focus on understanding and fulﬁllingits customers’ businesses and needs.
Therefore, the company, founded
in 1969, is actively engaged in the
ICT business to react to the speciﬁc necessities of its customers. As
company president Chiharu Miyata
explains: “By supporting our clientswith this approach, they trust us toprovide the necessary equipment
for their manufacturing processes.”
One of Miyatsu’s key products is
its MG200 (Single wafer process
type: Strip and Light Etching) device. This product provides a key
part in semiconductor manufacturing: removing impurities or organic
matter from the wafer. Noted for its

safety and user-friendly nature, theproduct is the latest in the MG Series
which has formed the cornerstoneof Miyatsu’s business for over 20
years. Looking forward, the company
understands that Japanese advancements in stacking technology are set
to become highly valuable as semiconductors increase in their layers.
Mr. Miyata, who himself spenttime living in the United States, isalways open to collaborating withlike-minded international partners,
and highlights Asia, Europe and the
U.S. as particularly important regions.
Miyatsu has experience in the international market, developing softwareand providing client services fromits base in Vietnam, and is looking toincrease its international network as
its business continues to grow.

https://en.miyatsu.com/index.html

“HHV CUPLA” fuelcoupling for highpressure hydrogen

Nitto Kohki advanced know-how
further contributing to hydrogenfuel and LiB industries“Nitto Kohki has anadvantage having afoot in both the EV andhydrogen vehicle markets.
We have great potential
in both directions.”
Akinobu Ogata,President & CEO,
Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.

With its pioneering technology, Nitto Kohki is eyeing an increased presence in LiB manufacturing and couplings
for hydrogen fuels as the shift to the next-generation of vehicles continues to take place.
With stricter environmental regulation coming into place in countries
across the globe, the demand forelectric and hydrogen vehicles willcontinue to increase. This trend ispresenting major business opportunities for Nitto Kohki, a Japaneseﬁrm that manufactures couplings
for vehicles, hydrogen fuel stations
and lithium-ion batteries (LiBs), as
well as labor and energy-saving
technology, machinery and tools.

“delvo” electric screwdriver for
automatic screw fastening
In Japan, the company has
developed its couplings for hydrogen vehicles together with
Toyota, and has also managed tocapture market share with couplings for refueling stations byteaming up with a leading Japanese dispenser manufacturer.
“We will be expanding our product lineup and bolstering sales activities to carve out new applications besides fuel cell vehicles, suchas transportation equipment andships,” adds Akinobu Ogata. “Nitto
Kohki’s hydrogen-related products

satisfy Japanese safety standards,
which are the most stringent in theworld. Fuel cells are expected toﬁnd more uses outside the passenger vehicle sector, for example inforklifts, ships, drones, and freightcars, and ensuring safety performance will be crucial.”
With growing production of LiBs
for electric vehicles (EVs), Nitto Kohki is well positioned to meet increasing demand for couplings used in thetransportation of liquid electrolyte
solution material used in LiBs, aswell as in EV production lines.
“This increased need for batteries is leading to an increase in ourown business as our products are a
crucial part of the battery-making
process,” says the Nitto Kohki president. An increase in EV production,
particularly in China, has led to sales
expansion for couplings used on EV
battery production lines, contributing to the record sales level.

Pneumatic tool series forautomatic machines “BELTON”“We see many avenues for increasing our sales activities for thisbattery production. In this way, you
could say Nitto Kohki has an advantage having a foot in both the EV andhydrogen vehicle markets. We havegreat potential in both directions.”“COMPACT ZEROSPILL CUPLA”
for coolant piping quick connect
coupling
Opportunities are also arising
for the Japanese ﬁrm in the ﬁeldof automation, and energy andlabor-saving technologies, with ahighlight product in the pipeline
being a new pump that dramaticallyreduces the amount of electricity
required for suction conveyor systems by limiting discharge pressureand ﬂow. Offering energy savings,
easy installation, quiet operation,and cleanliness, this new pumpmakes it possible to signiﬁcantly
reduce power usage. “A prototype
has already been manufactured
and is undergoing safety tests,” Mr.
Ogata reveals. “Our aim is to launch
the product early next year andcustomers are waiting withhigh anticipation. Only so muchinformation can be disclosed about
products currently under development, but products contributing toautomation and labor saving remainpriority development targets.”
Testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and productdevelopment is its new factory set
to open in Fukushima. Designed byrenowned architect Kengo Kuma
(best known for designing the Tokyo
Olympic Stadium), the new Fukushima plant will incorporate the latest
cutting-edge technology, along with
automation, AI, and other laborsaving technologies. “At this plant,
we can raise the standard of the
products we make to the next level,”the president proudly declares.
Meanwhile, outside Japan, Mr.
Ogata reveals that Nitto Kohki’s basic
strategy is “to increase brand recognition and to collaborate with inﬂuential partners in target markets.
As well as actively participating inhydrogen-related trade shows overseas, we are exploring partnerships
with companies of good standing.”

www.nitto-kohki.co.jp/eFujiPrix Group looking to bring its
know-how to international markets
As the world of electronics
continues to advance every
day, FujiPrix Group is offering its unique technologies
to meet new challenges.

“We are committed
to advocating theidea that SMEs canindeed expand andprosper with the rightstrategies and vision.”
Yuki Arai,
President,
FujiPrix Group Co., Ltd.

PWB (Fuji Print)
With the growing demand for durable printed circuit boards (PCBs)
in sectors such as automotive, FujiPrix Group is focused on improving
and enhancing existing technologies to serve global clients.
“Established technologies, suchas those dealing with high frequencies, dominate the market,
overshadowing newer, more advanced technologies,” explains

Yuki Arai, President of Fujiprix Giken, Fuji Print Industrial, Faith,Group. “To be truly successful in Pollux Techno, and one in China,
the Japanese PCB sector, espe- FuJi Print Industrial (H.K.)), covcially as an SME, it requires a clear ering every stage of the printed
focus. The key lies not in chasing circuit board supply chain fromthe latest technology, but in mas- upstream to downstream. The
tering and enhancdecisive strength
ing standard PCBof the group, says
technology.”
the President,
Currently, thelies in its comFujiPrix Group
prehensive intecomprises fivegration acrosscompanies (fourthe different
in Japan instages of thecluding Apollo
PCB process.
Layout design (Apollo Giken)

Balancing legacy and innovation:
Aikokiki’s path to success
Navigating challenges inniche markets: a perspectivefrom Aikokiki, one of Japan’s
leading manufacturers.

“Balancing legacy andinnovation, we aim tobecome indispensable
to our customers.”
Tsukasa Kurata,
President,
AIKOKIKI MFG. CO., LTD.

Headquarters ofﬁce/factoryFounded in 1970, Aikokiki has
shown its strategic nous that sets
it apart in the dynamic semiconductor landscape.
“Our specialization is in ﬂip
Chip BGA semi-ﬁ nished products, or package core substrates,” says company president Tsukasa Kurata, a domainthat constitutes a substantial
60-70% of its business. This
unique focus offers an undeniable edge in a ﬁeld where few

With Japan’s ﬂuctuating role ineven consider supplying semithe semiconductor industry, Mr.
ﬁnished products.
An integral facet of Aikokiki’s Kurata attributes the decline tooperations is its manufacturing resource fragmentation and infacility in Nakatsugawa, produc- sufﬁcient governmental backing.
ing PWBs primarily serving fac- However, he perceives a chance
for Japan to reboundtory automation and industrial
through inequipment sectors.
vestments and“Many of these boards arecollaborations,
supplied to major Japaneseelectronics manufacturers,”
particularly
the president explains, unwith effective
derscoring their strategic
government andinfluence in supporting
industry partnerthese critical industries. Multilayer PCB
ships, providing an

EMS (Faith)“It is rare in the industry for
a company to be able to handle
design, procurement and development in an integrated manner.
This integrated approach differentiates us signiﬁcantly,” says
Mr. Arai. “This aspect further
underlines our distinct market
position, whilst our organisational structure also allows us
to exploit synergies between
the different entities within thegroup. We are still reﬁning theway we use the network, but wemake it easy for clients associated with any of our ﬁve companies
to connect, for example, if theyrequire the services in which our
subsidiary specializes.”www.fujiprix.com

Packagecoreopportunity for a renewed semiconductor hub.
“We acquired the Shibata factory, making preparations for the
anticipated market resurgence,”
he says, with eyes on intriguing synergies, especially in thecontext of electric vehicles andsmart grid projects.
As Aikokiki approaches its 55th
anniversary, Mr. Kurata envisions
enhanced employee welfare, technological innovation, and sustainable growth, with a roadmap thatmaintains equilibrium between
legacy and advanced products
while fostering close collaboration
with its parent company.
“Someday, we want to become
the only company that is indispensable to our customers in acertain ﬁeld.”

www.aikokiki.co.jp

Attaining the pinnacle of excellenceWith its know-how in machinery manufacturing, Koki Tec brings excellence to the sectors that it supports.
In the heartland of Japan’s manufacturing prowess, where precision engineering and craftsmanshiphave been cultivated for generations, the landscape of industry isundergoing a seismic shift. Mikine
Ito, President of Koki Tec, a leading
manufacturer of selective soldering
equipment, explores the challenges
and opportunities facing the sector.
Like many others, Koki Tec recognizes the need to adapt to an
evolving demographic landscape.
As Japan’s working-age population shrinks, a labor shortage
looms on the horizon. According to
the Ministry of Economy, Trade,and Industry, by 2030, Japan
could face a labor shortfall of
approximately 6.5 million workers. To combat this challenge, thecompany is leveraging digital innovation to enhance productivity
and sustain its competitive edge.
“We can realize more robust
productivity improvements bydigitizing the ‘shop ﬂoor,’ which
has long been regarded as one ofJapan’s strengths,” says Mr. Ito,adding that they are also “making capital investments in both
hardware and software.
“To survive, machines must be
easy to understand and use. It is
no exaggeration to say that thisis determined by software.”And, contrary to the belief thatthe younger generation has lostits enthusiasm for manufacturing, Koki Tec believes in nurturing
the traditional Japanese monozukuri spirit, a commitment torelentless craftsmanship.
“I consider it my duty to guide,steer, and instill this temperament and spirit in the young generation,” the president afﬁrms,
and this approach extends beyond
the local workforce.
Through strategic partnerships with group companies like
Fukoku Tokai and Dynatron, thecompany ensures a diverse poolof skilled personnel to drive theiroperations, with the world as its
stage. Koki Tec is venturing into
international markets to counteract domestic labor shortages.
The sales composition is currently
70% domestic and 30% overseas,
but this is a ratio it plans to shift
in favor of a more global presence
as the president explains.

“As a machinery
manufacturer, it is crucial
that we establish a direct
rapport with our clientele
to adeptly comprehend
their requisites.”
Mikine Ito,
President, Koki Tec Corp.

“We are looking into the possibility of entering the North
American and European markets,
where it is currently thin on the
ground,” explains Mr. Ito, whogoes as far as to say that the aim
is to increase total sales by 1.7
times by 2025, primarily driven
by this international expansion.
And Koki Tec is not only responding to demographic shifts but alsoaligning with key global sustainability goals, which includes devel-

oping a next-generation selective
soldering machine that focuses
on reducing power consumption
during operation. This innovation
is expected to make a signiﬁcant
contribution to local communities
and environmental sustainability.
As electronic devices shrink insize, printed circuit board (PCB)
manufacturing demands higher
precision and specialized equipment. Koki Tec is focusing on
post-processing and large special

components, areas where manualsoldering is challenging due tocomponent size or tight arrangements. Of course, this all comesagainst the background of theparadigm shift to electric vehicles.
Safety is paramount in industries like automotive, where solder joint inspection is vital. Koki
Tec ensures strict quality control
through a rigorous process thatchecks equipment’s long-term reliability before installation. Alsobeing utilized is advanced nondestructive testing equipment toinspect individual solders.
With a global expansion strategy that involves establishing local
subsidiaries and sales ofﬁces instrategic regions, starting withThailand and India, the idea is tocollaborate with local partners anddistributors to establish a strong
presence in each market. The president knows the importance ofthe strength that comes from his
group companies’ collaboration.
“We believe that our management strategy is most effective
when it creates cooperativesynergies between group enterprises,” he says. “Each company
plays a vital and specialized role,and together they work in harmony to accelerate our activities as a global company witha competitive edge.”“This harmonization of expertise in hardware, assembly, andsoftware is not just a perfunctory collaboration, but strategic
management over the medium tolong term. With the goal of gaining
the top share of the global market
for soldering equipment, we will
accelerate our activities with an indefatigable and unyielding spirit.”
As the President of Koki Tec,
Mr. Ito embodies the determination and vision that drives Japan’s
manufacturing sector forward ina changing world, and he aims tohave the world’s leading manufacturer of soldering equipment.

https://kokitec.co.jp

KEL connecting the world with connectors
By developing attractive new products for automotive, image and communication equipment,
KEL aims to further expand its presence internationally with products full of originality.

“To improve brandrecognition overseas, we
introduce our products
through exhibition andmedia/web ads andaim to acquire newcustomers.”
Akira Kasuga, President,
KEL Corporationwww.kel.jp
KEL is a Japanese connector
manufacturer specializing in industrial equipment, whose focus
is on niche markets and products.
We boast considerable knowhow and expertise in miniaturization and high-pin-count products, high-speed transmission,

PCI Express 5.0 ﬂoating
connector (JB Series)
and noise shielding, developing
unique and original products
based on these technologies.
Our most recent developments
include the PCI Express 5.0 compatible ﬂoating connectors (JB
series) and 224Gbps PAM4-compatible high-speed transmission
board-to-cable connectors (HSP
series). These are the industry’s
most advanced next-generation
connectors, and in the future, KEL
aims to oversee their adoption
in automotive, image and communication equipment.
With a history of 62 years as aconnector manufacturer, KEL has
developed an excellent reputation

224 Gbps (PAM4) differential
transmission cable connector(HSP Series)
for quality and technology. Our
products are highly trusted andrated by many customers in Japan. Among our lineup, the productgroups of ﬂoating connectors andhigh-speed transmission connectors
offer an especially wide selection.
Our ﬂoating connector is the ﬁrst
0.5 mm pitch product approved as
an automotive connector. This product is our recommended connector
that can be used in various markets
and devices other than automotive.
Meanwhile our high-performanceconnectors use revolutionary technologies to harness micro coaxial

cables all at once without soldering,and have applications in areas suchas imaging and medical equipment.
As part of our medium-term
management plan, one of KEL’s
growth strategies is to strengthen
overseas business in China, North
America and Europe, where theratio of exports to total sales has
quadrupled compared to 10 years
ago. In the future, we intend tofurther increase brand recognition overseas and contribute to
global society.
Our sustainable vision is to “contribute to an abundant, sustainable
society with connector technology”. We have also established a
specialized unit within the company and are actively engaged in
activities related to sustainability.
KEL’s management vision is
to “become a company that cancontribute to the world as a connector manufacturer”. We willcontinue to develop attractive
products so that we can connect
the world with connectors.

Driving sustainable innovation: JNC Group’s
journey as a pioneer in Japan’s chemical industry
With history dating backmore than a century, JNC
continues to develop technology and harness expertise fora rapidly evolving world.

“As a leading chemicalcompany, we aim tocontribute to society’s
progress throughsuperior technology.“
Keizo Yamada,President,
JNC Corporation

Chromatography resins
In a move towards sustainablegrowth, JNC Corporation’s president, Keizo Yamada, believes thecompany’s pioneering culture
and strength in materials design
based on top-class computational science in Japan will enableglobal expansion targeting newcustomers. And at the core ofthis is our contribution to the harmony and development of people,
society, and the environment.
“Since our founding, we havebeen promoting the use of hy-

In the area of silicon materials
droelectric power in our production activities,” Mr. Yamada says. with low GHG emissions, the com“Renewal of the facility is under- pany develops and sells reactive
way for future use, and is sched- silicon agents, applied to contactlenses, heat dissipation materials,
uled for completion in 2024.”
JNC’s production hub in Ku- and paint/coatings, as well as silane
mamoto, Japan, is now fully coupling agents used for semiconductor encapsulation materials.
powered by hydroelectricity.
The company
The company
manufactures
is also active inand sells chroresearch andmatography resdevelopment toins for biopharreduce environmaceutical andmental impact
vaccine puriﬁcaand becometions. These arecarbon neutral.
Hydroelectric power plant

Image of silicone product use
naturally derived and have a low
environmental impact, and recently
contributed to the puriﬁcation of a
new type of corona vaccine.
In the Performance Products
segment, the company’s products
for Liquid Crystals and Organic
EL can contribute to energy conservation. In addition, JNC’s blue
light-emitting materials contributeto the realization of OLED displayswith high color reproducibility thatare less stressful on the eyes.
There is also an uncompromising commitment to quality
assurance and ethics. “Ethicalconcerns, particularly those pertaining to human rights, lead to
immediate termination of partnerships,” the president states.

www.jnc-corp.co.jp

Kanto looking to provide quality reagents for thegrowing semiconductor and life science industries
With over 50,000 reagents, Kanto Chemical is developing unique and innovative technologies to support
research and manufacturing in the ever-growing semiconductor and life science sectors.
While Japan has faced stiffer competition from regional competitors
in the chemical manufacturing industry, Japanese ﬁrms still holddominance when it comes to thehigh-performance chemicals segment. One such company in this ﬁeld
is Kanto Chemical, which produceschemical reagents that are utilized
in a variety of industries, including
medicine, food, chemistry, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Ultrapur ™
Since its foundation in 1944,
Kanto Chemical has been actively
contributing to society as a comprehensive reagent manufacturer,
by striving to make products thatmeet customer needs. With over
55,000 products in its extensiveline-up, the company ensures its
clients have a wide variety of solutions available, from basic reagentsup to high-performance grade.

ad-MED Vitrigel ™
One of the Japanese enterprise’s
main focus areas these days is highpurity, high-performance chemicals
for semiconductor manufacturing.
The sensitivity and accuracy of analytical instruments used to improve
the analysis of ultra-trace elements
in semiconductor manufacturing
has become an ever-growing needin the industry. As such, strict speciﬁcations are now necessary for thereagents used in the manufacturing
process. In response, Kanto Chemical has developed the Ultrapur se-

ries, which consists of ultra-grade,high-purity reagents specificallydesigned for ultra-trace analysis.
“This Ultrapur series is speciﬁcally designed for the analysis ofultra-trace elements, making it thehighest-quality reagent available in
our acid product lineup,” says company president Manabu Nozawa.
“We offer two variations within thisseries: Ultrapur and Ultrapur 100.
Ultrapur represents the highest
grade and consists of an 11-product lineup, while Ultrapur 100 isa slightly lower grade with four
different products. The Ultrapur
reagents ensure the traceability of
41 elements, ranging from one partper trillion (PPT) to 10 PPT, whereas
Ultrapur 100 offers reduced cost
while maintaining satisfactory quality. Based on our customers’ speciﬁc
needs, we recommend the mostsuitable reagent type.”

Origin of the corporate logo
Kanto Chemical’s primary customers are laboratories and researchers engaged in ultra-fine
trace analysis, with its ultra-high purity reagents used for semiconductor, pharmaceutical industry andenvironmental analysis. “To ensure
accurate analysis, with contamination eliminated to the maximum
extent possible with chemicals andstorage containers, ultra-high purity
reagents and chemicals play a crucial role,” adds Mr. Nozawa.
At this year’s Environmental
Chemistry Symposium in May,
Kanto Chemical was there to promote its product Vitrigel-EIT, acell culture testing method listed
under OECD test guidelines thatenables the assessment of chemical
substances for potential eye damage. “Formerly, rabbit eyes wereused for such testing, but with theban on animal testing, in-vitro test
methods using human cells are now
necessary,” the company president
explains. “We provide equipmentthat enables the culture of corneal
cells and estimates the irritancy
of chemical substances based onelectrical resistance. Currently, we
are focusing on the European and
U.S. markets, where there is growing demand for our product.”
Another of Kanto Chemical’s
highlight products is Ir-PSA, anasymmetric, reductive amination catalyst that can efﬁciently
synthesize optically amine active
compounds and, as such, has garnered signiﬁcant attention frompharmaceutical companies.
This innovation came about
thanks to Kanto’s joint researchwith Nobel laureate Dr. Noyori
related to Enantiomer more than
20 years ago.
“Utilizing this technology, we produced Ir-PSA, which is an iridiumbased catalyst,” says Mr. Nozawa.
“What sets our catalyst apart isthat it’s simplifying the process ofsynthesizing the optically active
amine, which is an important structure of API (Active Pharmaceutical
Ingredient). Our current focus is on
promoting this catalyst to overseas
pharmaceutical companies thathave shown a keen interest in our
product. We recently showcased it
in Chemspec Europe.”

Asymmetric Reductive
Amination Catalyst
Indeed collaboration with academia has been key to Kanto
Chemical’s product development,with the company having partnered with several Japanese academic and research institutions inJapan in various ﬁelds, including
semiconductors, pharmaceuticals,
and biosciences. And Mr. Nozawa
reveals he would like to extend
collaboration with overseas universities, particularly those in the“We have been actively
contributing to society, as
a comprehensive reagent
manufacturer, by striving
to make products thatmeet customer needs,
and by supplying highquality reagents.”
Manabu Nozawa,
President & CEO,
Kanto Chemical Co., Inc
United States. When it comes tointernational business expansion,
the U.S. is also the company’s main
focus, particularly due to the resurgence of the semiconductor industry that is currently happening
stateside. “We are collaboratingwith Kanto Corporation in the U.S.,
along with our partner companies,
to launch a robust sales promotion
campaign within the U.S. market,”explains Mr. Nozawa.
International growth in the
U.S. and beyond will tie into theoverarching mission for the company, which the Kanto Chemicalpresident stresses, is “to provide
products that are needed, useful,and contribute to society”.
“With the changing dynamics of society, new industries will
emerge, and there will be a growing demand for different products.
Our goal is to meet these evolving
needs by leveraging our expertisein monozukuri. We aim to support
the growth of our company andcountries worldwide, while also nurturing the well-being and happinessof people around the globe.”
www.kanto.co.jp/english

10,000-ton free forging press

Clad metals

Neodymium magnets NEOMAX®

Turbine caseIndustrial robot cables

Professional, progressive and proactive:
that’s the Proterial way

Having begun 2023 with a major rebrand, the century-old supplier of high-performance materials has embarked
on a new, exciting chapter with big ambitions for global growth.
Founded in 1910, Proterial supplies high-quality, cutting-edge
materials to manufacturers inJapan and abroad, chiefly in theautomobile industry.
The company also focuses onclients in industrial infrastructure– principally rolling stock and aerospace – and the electronics sector.
Previously owned by Hitachi,
Proterial was known as Hitachi
Metals until January this year,
when it changed its name following the company’s purchase by
a consortium led by the private
equity firm Bain Capital.
“The name change provided aunique opportunity to rebrand thebusiness and differentiate ourselves from Hitachi’s diverse portfolio,” explains Proterial’s president
and CEO, Sean M. Stack.
“While we respect the historyof the original Hitachi Metals
business, the new name allowed
us to focus on our core businessand showcase our commitment toproviding the attention, capital andresources necessary for success.
“Proterial reflects the essenceof our corporate philosophy. It
combines ‘pro’ with the word‘material’. ‘Pro’ represents our‘three pros’: professional – workthat exceeds expectations; progressive – a spirit that keeps
challenging; and proactive – anenterprising attitude.
“‘Material’ refers to the highperformance materials that our“The decision to rebrand was driven by the team atProterial. They analyzed our business, culture and futureaspirations, resulting in the choice of the new name.”
Sean M. Stack, President & CEO, Proterial, Ltd.
original technologies produce, underpinned by the ‘three pros’.”
Proterial, Mr. Stack adds, hasa “more international sound” – aquality that goes hand in hand withefforts to bolster the worldwide
market presence of a company thathas established overseas sites in
Asia, Europe and the United States.
“Historically, we have been primarily focused on the Japanesemarket,” he says. “However, we
recognize the tremendous opportunities to expand and gain moremarket share with customers outside of Japan. To achieve this, weneed to adopt a global mindset andbecome a leader on a global scale.
“This entails deploying resources
strategically in different regions tocater to the needs of our Japanesecustomers while also penetrating new markets, such as North
America and Europe.
“We possess technologicallyadvanced products that havegreat potential in these markets.
We need to develop a forwardthinking mindset and establish
the necessary infrastructure tocapitalize on these opportunities.”
Proterial has been identifying
specific segments in the company’s business portfolio where
there is ample room for growth,
Mr. Stack continues.
“Our specialty steel business
unit, which focuses on nickel-based
alloys, is also an important area of
focus.” he reveals, “In the business

unit, we have allocated resources
to become a more impactful player
in the global aerospace market.”Significantly, specialty steels
have a major role to play as Proterial’s automotive clients tackle thetransition to electric vehicles (EVs).
“In our specialty steel business, we focus on products that
increase EV battery performance and productivity, suchas clad metals,” Mr. Stack says.
“Through our ability to combine
materials effectively for battery
platforms, we are able to offer
benefits that alternative methods like welding cannot provide.”
As Proterial embarks on thelatest exciting chapter in thefirm’s 113-year history, Mr.
Stack concludes one thing is
crucial to achieving success: thecompany culture.
“When my last day as president
and CEO arrives,” he says, “I would
like to have created a culture ofaccountability, where everyone
feels ownership of the results. We
would collaborate with our customers to more efficiently identify
and resolve problems.
“Being able to create this culture would mean successfully delivering our strategy, satisfying
our customers, and achieving astrong financial performance.”

www.proterial.com/e

With the pride of carbon

To realize carbon neutrality, our products are widely contributing to various industries.
Since its founding in 1934, SEC Carbon has consistently led the way indeveloping and producing top-quality
graphite products. Today, as a vital
contributor to carbon neutrality efforts, the company offers a range
of innovative products that play apivotal role in reducing CO2 emissions
and advancing sustainability.
This includes graphite electrodes
for electric furnaces, offering substantial reductions in emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces,
and SK-B cathode blocks crucial foraluminum production, helping to reduce the weight of automobiles. The
company also specializes in Carbon &Graphite specialty products and Fine
Powder, essential components andbattery materials for electric vehicles.

Carbon & Graphite Specialties
These Carbon & Graphite specialty
products have applications acrossvarious industrial sectors, including chemical, electrochemical, machinery, and metallurgy, and can beused independently or as composite
materials with resins and metals.
SEC Carbon excels in precision machining, utilizing large and long-sizedgraphitized blocks manufactured
through extrusion forming. These
products possess outstanding heatand chemical resistance plus electrical conductivity, making them ideal
for use in molten salt electrolysis
electrodes. The resultant productionof lightweight and robust metals likemagnesium and titanium, used in
portable devices, automobiles, andaircraft, contribute to weight reduction and fuel efficiency. Continuous

Large and long-sized graphite block

Graphite Electrodes

refinement of product grades andexploration of new product development taps into new markets andattracts new customers.
The use of Fine Powder, an exceptionally pure and crystalline graphite
powder, includes sliding materials,
batteries, paints, and electrical components. These are manufactured
using state-of-the-art production
equipment and advanced graphitization and processing technology, ensuring unmatched stability in productquality. In addition, a diverse lineup of
natural graphite and carbon powder
is tailored to customer applications,Fine Powder
available in a broad range of series
and sizes from 1 to 100 micrometers.
The increasing demand, particularlyin the expanding EV market, has
prompted a continuous expansionof production capacity.
The importance of aluminum in
reducing automotive weight andachieving global energy savingsand carbon neutrality cannot be

overstated. The demand for cathodeblocks used in aluminum smelting ison the rise, and SEC Carbon stands

SK-B, Graphitized Cathode Blockas the world’s pioneer in the development of graphitized cathodeblocks for highly efficient aluminumproduction. The company’s consistent quality and production forover 50 years has earned the trustof aluminum smelters worldwide.
The Kyoto Plant, the world’s largest graphitized cathode production
facility, employs a highly efficient
swing production system withgraphite electrodes for steelmaking, ensuring price competitiveness.
The global shift towards achievingcarbon neutrality has led to a growing preference for electric furnaces,
which can reduce CO2 emissions to
one-fourth compared to blast furnaces, with demand for associatedgraphite electrodes expected to soar.
SEC Carbon’s legacy dates back to
1962 when it successfully commercialized a 24-inch large-diameterelectrode, then the world’s largest,and the company has since established unwavering trust and gained
recognition for its development capabilities and quality at home andabroad. Through its premium graphite electrode, the company remains
committed to making substantial
contributions to energy cost reduction and productivity improvement
in electric furnaces.
Furthermore, as part of its dedication to achieving carbon neutrality,
SEC Carbon is actively working on
capturing and repurposing CO2 asa valuable resource. The company
plans to commercialize this groundbreaking technology and extend its
use globally. In line with the call for“carbon neutrality and the realization of a decarbonized society by
2050,” there is a growing demandfor “CO2 recycling” alongside CO2
emission reduction efforts. SEC
Carbon’s pioneering work involves
producing carbon particles fromcarbon dioxide using molten salt
electrolysis technology, subsequently
transforming theminto graphite particles through heat
treatment. An innovative approach toconverting carbon dioxide into a valuable
resource, and contributing to a moresustainable future.

VALQUA strengthening
semiconductor and digital areas“We at the VALQUA
Group have worked
tirelessly to offer ourcustomers both the‘value’ and ‘quality’ that
our company namederives from.”

With its unique technology
and accumulated knowhow, VALQUA is providing key sealing products
to a range of industries.
Established in 1927, VALQUA Groupis a pioneering company in the fieldsof seal engineering and fluororesinbased materials, with the Japanese
firm having established a successfulpresence in this niche area thanks
to the trust and brand strength it
has built up over the past 90 years.
VALQUA is well-known as the
manufacturer of Valflon, a PTFEbased (polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as Teflon) material thathas a wide range of applications. Having acquired PTFE raw material from
DuPont in the U.S. some 70 years ago,
VALQUA was the first company tosuccessfully commercialize it, according to Chairman Toshikazu Takisawa.
“Valflon has excellent characteristics
in terms of temperature control, friction and high resistance. Even though
this material is difficult to process,we were able to establish the methodology to do so, which gives us anadvantage. This also applies to othermaterials we have created, such as
Elastomer. We are able to come up
with the right recipe to create thematerial that is best suited for ourcustomer’s applications, and we havethe right processing technologies.”
VALQUA’s main focus used to be
on sealing materials for petrochemical and petroleum refining industries.
However, these days sales of sealingmaterials for semiconductor manufacturing account for about half of its
total sales. Aside from the semiconductor industry, the company is also
expanding its services into aerospace,bioscience and particularly defense
applications. “Since contributing
to the defense industry has been apart of our history, we want to look
more into it as it is one of our four
new focus fields,” adds Mr. Takisawa.
“We are a trusted industrial partner
for defense industry agencies. Thereis a need for Elastomer materials
in the air and marine fields. Japanand the U.S. are working together
to develop defense equipment. As acertified supplier, we are aware of theinformation that we receive.

Toshikazu Takisawa,
Chairman & CEO,VALQUA, Ltd.

Valflon™

Lined Tank

MONiPLAT diagram

O-ringWire Harness Seal

Metal Bellows

Lined Pipe

Meanwhile, the resurgence of thesemiconductor industry domestically – with TSMC and Rapidus
investing and building factories inJapan once again – bodes well for
VALQUA, which is a global supplier
to both companies. “As we are theirglobal supplier, we will be able tocater to them domestically in Japantoo,” states the VALQUA chairman.
“Also, we are now about to build
new factories in Japan, and we arerelocating our manufacturing location from China to other countries
in the Asian region. I am taking
the U.S.-China decoupling rather
positively because it may serve asa trigger to bring back monozukuri
manufacturing possibilities and innovation to Japan. Moreover, it
could be the start of another technical innovation expansion in Japan.”
When it comes to innovativetechnologies, VALQUA has recently introduced MONiPLAT, anequipment inspection platform
used to assess factory operations.
Asked about the motivation behind this development, Mr Takisawa responds: “We supply seals
and gaskets to customers, which
are our main products. However,these days, there are not as many
experienced workers working at
the factories who can pass down
their knowledge to the younger,
less experienced workers. There
are fewer people who are able toreally properly utilize our products.
To fill in this gap, we are offering
this service to help our customers
transfer the knowledge of operating these materials and ensure
safety while using IT and AI.”
Indeed, commitment to skills
development is at the core of VALQUA’s values. “For us, monozukuri(manufacturing) goes hand in handwith hitozukuri (human development), which refers to people, andwe have been emphasizing it. We
are training and educating the rightpeople to manufacture the products that we need to make.”www.valqua.com

Striving for a net-zero society throughinnovative magnetic pump technology
As a top niche manufacturer of stainless steel magnetic pumps, Sanwa Hydrotech aims to establish a leading
position in this specialized global market to achieve a net zero society.

Founded in 1934 as a pioneer instainless steel casting, Sanwa Hydrotech has grown to become a
top niche manufacturer of stainlesssteel magnetic pumps in Japan.
Under a strategic vision to create
new niche markets and become
the leading manufacturer in these,
we have expanded into a wide variety of industries, including thesemiconductor, liquid crystal, energy, and food industries, rather
than limiting ourselves only to theconventional petrochemical sector.

The inspiration to develop magnetic pumps came from a shift
in our environmental conscience.
We saw a growing demand in the
petrochemical industry for pumps
with superior corrosion resistanceand durability, and that could fully
prevent leakage of harmful andtoxic liquids, both for the sakeof the natural environment andhuman safety. As a result of ourcontinuous efforts in pioneeringleak-free magnetic drive pumps,
our global sales had approached200,000 units by 2022, making
us the top manufacturer of metal
magnetic pumps, including thedevelopment of loading pumps

for LPG transport trucks, coolingsystems for data centers, pumps
for semiconductor applications,and aseptic-compliant magnetic
pumps for the food industry. In
the spirit of always challenging
ourselves in new ways, Sanwa
Hydrotech is now focusing on two
main objectives as we approachour 100th anniversary: to enhance
global recognition of Sanwa Pump
and to build strong partnerships.
In pursuit of these goals, we will
participate in ACHEMA 2024 inGermany – theworld’s largest chemicalmachinery andequipment exhibition – for thesecond time.
Led by a project
team consistingof young professionals, we will
promote Sanwa
Pump globally and work to
deepen relationships with international distributors and forge new
business partnerships.
Net zero is an emerging focus ofour global operations. At Sanwa
Hydrotech, we believethat our magnetic
pumps will be crucial
in novel industries thatwill emerge during the
global transition to net
zero. Our magnetic
pumps use few consumables, are highly efficient, and work without
additional equipment,
making them wellsuited for net zero ini-

tiatives. They have already been
implemented in processes suchas chemical recycling of plastic
bottles, materials manufacturing
for lithium-ion batteries essential
for smartphones, and fuel stations
for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
They also have a proven trackrecord of adoption in the latest
technologies such as methanation aiming to economically reduce CO2 emissions using existing
infrastructure, green hydrogenproduction equipment, and CO2
separation and recovery systems.
The latest net zero technologies are still in the process of
evolving, and what is required ofpumps in such systems changes
constantly. Therefore, we believethat by actively exploring potential needs and making proposals,
we will be able to contribute toachieving a net zero. Currently, we
are working on the developmentof magnetic pumps for liquefied
ammonia gas, which must meetstrict requirements: no ammonia
leakage, as it is a flammable liquidharmful to the human body, andthe ability to withstand high pressure and low temperatures. Whilethese criteria are quite demand-“We believe thepotential of magnetic
pumps will expand
globally in the future.”
Kiyotaka Horiuchi, President,
Sanwa Hydrotech Corporationing, if achieved, these pumps will
expand the potential of ammonia
as a new energy source.
Following in the footsteps of our
founder, who had a true pioneering
ethos of “constantly developing
new technologies, new materials,
and new products”, Sanwa Hydrotech aims to grow its business to
become an industry leader throughthe development of “NET ZERO”
markets and with our productsthat combine superior technicalknow-how with added value. As
well as meeting customer needs,
we aim to become the top manufacturer in this highly specialized market by building excellent
relationships with partners andtapping into potential needs tobecome an indispensable company
across a wide range of industries –
especially those related to net zero.

www.sanwapump.co.jp

Precision thermal spraying for any situation
Kurashiki Boring specializes in surface modification and thermal spraying thatcreates lightweight components and restores worn parts to their former glory.

Shock diamonds(High velocity oxy-fuel spraying)
In the world of manufacturing,
every company seeks marginal
gains to get one step ahead of thecompetition. Japanese thermal
spraying company Kurashiki Boring help its customers achieve bycreating lightweight components
with high-quality functionality.
Established in 1957, Kurashiki
Boring specializes in surface modification and thermal spraying, a
process that applies wear-resistance, anti-corrosion propertiesor thermal insulation to components. The company’s services andproducts can be used in extreme
environments; from 1,000-degreeCelsius temperatures, to high pressure environments, and even in sea
water. This is made possible byKurashiki Boring’s network of in-“Our coatings andservices can extend thelife of manufacturers’
equipment, which I
believe creates better
value than a piece of
new equipment.”

Wear-resistance coating (ceramics)

Sayaka Sako, President,
Kurashiki Boring Kiko Co., Ltd.
dustry experts who are consulted num, while in the semiconductor
when new coatings are developed. market its products extend theCompany president Sayaka life of manufacturers’ equipment
Sako says one of her company’s through its coatings for worn or
strengths is being able to respond damaged parts. This restoration
service can beto the specificapplied acrossdemands of any
a wide range
customer – beof industries tothey end-users,
ensure accurateOEMs, or assemroundness andbly manufacturcylindricity iners. Kurashikiworn items.
Boring’s coatings
Mrs. Sako recan be used forveals Kurashiki
CFRP and alumi- Various mechanical parts

Boring is seeking to expand into
the aerospace field, especially inparts such as combustion chambers, compressors and turbines.
The company’s spraying services
have enabled it to grow internationally, working with representatives from countries such as
Australia, Indonesia, and South
Korea, and Mrs. Sako says further expansion into the Asianmarket is on the horizon. As theworld seeks evermore lightweightsolutions, and sustainable practices like the restoration of wornparts, specialized companies suchas Kurashiki Boring will continue
to play a key role in driving manufacturers into the future.

www.kbknet.co.jp

Cutting into new markets
Despite its relatively short history, MicroCut is looking to bring its unique expertiseto the wider U.S. market.
Japanese firm MicroCut has notbeen deterred by the intricacies ofdifficult-to-cut metal materials andhas grown into one of the leading
solutions providers for the industry.

“Our primary focus is
to make a strategic
entry into the lucrative
U.S. market, withparticular emphasison key sectors suchas medical equipment,
military, aircraft, andspace industries.”
Harukuni Takagi,
President, MicroCut Co., Ltd.
Complex problems often require
tailor-made solutions, and this iscertainly the case when it comes
to working with intricate materials.

Streamlined production lines
Established in 2003, MicroCut
has always had precision engineering and digitalization at the heartof its company philosophy. The
company has developed a startof-the-art management systemwith a track record of maintaining
high accuracy in its operations andmanagement processes. MicroCut is targeting zero defects in its
production process, and company
president Harukuni Takagi says:“We have harnessed a wealth ofvaluable data, ensuring the utmost
precision in our cost calculations
and defect prevention efforts.”
In parallel, MicroCut’s production management system plays anessential role in its processes, encompassing essential components
such as planning, lot management,
analysis, and cost analysis to create
an interconnected workflow.
As an innovator, MicroCut isfocused on the future of its industry and is currently developing

Automated production systemsolutions for the plating of electric vehicle semiconductors, whileduring the pandemic it launched

High-precision products
its U.S. branch in San Diego todevelop medical equipment. Witha base established in the U.S., Mr.
Takagi reveals the company has
its eye set on entry into the country’s medical equipment, military,
aircraft, and space industries.
Throughout this expansion,
MicroCut will remain focusedon quality, as Mr. Takagi says
himself: “Delivering excellence
has consistently positioned us asindustry leaders in high-quality
outputs and reliable delivery, alegacy we have proudly upheld
since our establishment.”

www.microcut.jp