Technological Expertise Gained over Many Years Opens Up a New Horizon for Our Business
Creating a new pillar of business through continuous efforts at
business cultivation
The origin of the JSR Group dates back to 1957 when Japan Synthetic Rubber Co., Ltd. was established to realize the domestic production of synthetic rubber. Ever since then, we have been providing the highest quality class of petrochemical products. In the 1990s, we expanded our business to include
fine chemical businesses such as optical and electronic materials. This business expansion, which was based on polymer technologies that we had cultivated in our petrochemical businesses, accelerated our revenue and
market share growth. The petrochemical and fine chemical businesses have thus become our core businesses that sustain the Group’s performance.
In the current decade, along with the growth of the JSR Group, the importance of social contribution through the realization of our Corporate Mission of “Materials Innovation” is increasing. We have therefore decided to add precision materials and processing, environment and energy, and biomedical materials to our business portfolio as strategic businesses. While several catastrophic events took place recently that changed the business style and social needs of companies, including the financial crisis following the Lehman crash and the Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused significant economic, supply chain, and energy problems, we nonetheless aspire to become a company that can adapt itself to such sudden environmental changes and pursue continuous and stable growth based on our technological strengths.
Deploying existing technologies and human resources within
the Group and external expertise from global sources
In our strategic businesses, it is essential to effectively utilize our existing technologies and develop seeds of innovation realized during R&D into opportunities for our business. For this reason, we have designated the same person to head both the R&D division and the strategic business division, making it possible for the two divisions to collaborate closely and make swift decisions. The Group’s researchers also meet customers directly to deepen their understanding of customer needs, and this along with other activities ensures that both R&D and business are intimately intertwined.
Since some research regarding strategic businesses is more advanced in North America and Europe, and priority countries and regions for the businesses differ from those for our traditional core businesses, we are currently developing a new network of R&D and sales bases in strategically important areas to ensure quick access to the latest strategic business trends. Furthermore, in order to gain highly sophisticated technologies and technical knowledge in a timely manner, we are also promoting business partnerships and strategic investments. These efforts will ensure that internal and external expertise and technologies will be deployed and that our products will offer new value for society.
Officer
General Manager
Business Planning Department
Strategic Business
(as of this writing)
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
Strategic Businesses—
Our new challenging and fulfilling business field
Our core businesses have been based on the “one-onone” approach, where we maintain close association with, address the needs of, and adapt our technologies to meet the requirements of particular customers. However, our strategic businesses were launched without any sales channels or customers, and are targeted at the global market. So we therefore must change our mindset. To do this, it is essential for us to implement the JSR Group’s Course of Action, “The 4Cs.”
The strategic businesses focus on energy conservation, support for drug discovery, and other themes that are expected to become significant social issues in the future. This integration of social contribution and business creates businesses that are both challenging and fulfilling.
Since the start of the mid-term business plan, JSR 20i3, we have been preparing basic technologies necessary for the businesses and forming partnerships with external organizations.
As these preparations are now nearing completion, we position FY 2014, the last year of the plan, as the year for taking action by making the most of what we have built up until today. Our pioneering efforts will continue.
Three Strategic Businesses
Precision Materials and Processing
The objective of the precision materials and processing business is to offer new value by combining the JSR Group’s superior material, functionality, and processing technologies. Technologies developed in this section can become the foundation of the other two strategic businesses.
Information device and precision equipment manufacturers pursue lighter and thinner products at all times and look for innovative materials. As an expert of materials, we meet these needs based on combinations of our different technologies.
ARTONTM is a heat resistant transparent resin with superior optical characteristics. OPSTARTM is an antireflection coating material for films. ELARTTM is a transparent conductive film developed by modifying OPSTARTM with our precision processing technologies. As a substitute for glass, ELARTTM is used for smart phone touch panels and other applications.
Environment and Energy
The JSR Group, whose main business is petrochemicals, is well aware of the importance of using limited resources efficiently and contributing to energy conservation. We deliver various products developed on the basis of our polymer, material, and energy control technologies.
■ CALGRIPTM
CALGRIPTM is a latent thermal storage material that stores energy released or absorbed during solid to liquid or other phase changes. Paraffin is stabilized using our proprietary polymer, making the product safe even during transport. The product can be used for the transport of perishables and vaccines and other pharmaceuticals that need to be stored at a constant temperature, in addition to other applications including building materials and air conditioners.
■ SIFCLEARTM
SIFCLEARTM is a material designed to bring about higher weather and contamination resistance to paint, in addition to longer lasting thermal insulation. We applied a thermal insulation paint containing SIFCLEARTM to the temporary housing produced for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake free of charge (photo). It is expected that this product will also be effective in Southeast Asia and other regions where the temperature within houses exposed to direct sunlight tends to be very high.
■ BIOLLOYTM
BIOLLOYTM is a bioplastic produced by combining a thermoplastic resin with plant-derived polylactic acid. Compared to existing general bioplastics, BIOLLOYTM has five times greater shock resistance. The product is expected to be used in containers for cosmetics, shampoos, and others that require thin, light, and eco-friendly materials, as well as in various other applications including automotive interiors, of fice automation equipment, and household appliances.
■ ULTIMOTM
The ULTIMOTM lithium ion capacitor is a durable electricity storage device with enhanced repeated charge and discharge characteristics. ULTIMOTM is used widely to compensate momentary voltage drops that occur in factories as well as to effectively reuse energy generated when construction machines rotate or stop. We are currently advancing research on the applications of this product to significantly enhance fuel efficiency and other features of automotive performance.
Biomedical Materials
Needs of innovative materials for health and medical care is mounting globally. In addition to the development of medical polymer materials, which has been a part of our business for many years, we will play a key role in the area of drug discovery support as well by making the most of our leadingedge materials and technologies to assist pharmaceutical manufacturers and research institutes in their development of drugs and therapies.