News Release

FY2022

January 26, 2023

JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation

New R&D Building Constructed at Kurami Works
―Strengthening Development Systems to Respond to Further Advances in IoT/AI Society―

JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (President: Murayama Seiichi; "the Company") has constructed a new R&D Building at its Kurami Works, one of the Company's main operating sites, with the aim of strengthening development systems to respond to further advances in the IoT/AI society. Equipment will progressively be installed in the Building, which will start operating in March this year.

 

The JX Nippon Mining & Metals Group Long-Term Vision 2040 positions "focus business" based on the advanced materials field at the core of growth strategy. In addition to strengthening existing businesses, the Company is building systems to constantly create new technology-based businesses. The Kurami Works is a key site for focus business that develops, manufactures, and supplies high-added-value products, including treated rolled copper foil used in applications such as flexible printed circuits and highly functional copper alloy strips such as titanium copper and Corson alloys used in various cutting-edge devices.

 

The Kurami Works has long specialized in swiftly identifying the needs of end customers such as smartphone manufacturers and direct customers including component-makers, and working closely with them to develop and market products within short timeframes to meet their needs ahead of competitors. Looking ahead to the future, further advances in the IoT/AI society as well as widespread use of 5G technologies and development of 6G are expected to create needs for more advanced and diverse devices. Based on this awareness, in addition to further accelerating its current efforts to improve the properties of existing products and develop new alloys and alloy foils, the new R&D Building will search for new applications and strengthen the development of materials that have high compatibility with existing technologies. Further advances in core technologies1 including melting, rolling, and heat treatment will lead to efficient materials development, improved productivity, and enhanced equipment design.

 

As well as installation of solar panels and other initiatives aimed at carbon neutrality, the interior of the new R&D Building prioritizes a comfortable working environment for employees. Through such efforts, the Building has been granted an "A" ranking under the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE®)2 scheme.

 

Company staff involved in the project, construction contractors, and representatives of the local community were invited to a completion ceremony for the R&D Building held on January 23. After a Shinto blessing, Manabu Hyakuno, General Manager, Functional Materials Division, thanked all those involved in establishing the Building and offered the following remarks: "The Kurami Works opened in 1964, and society has undergone major changes since then. Technology development lies at the heart of our business, and we must always stay ahead of the times in our development work." Shizuo Sugawara, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, then commented that "with the completion of this R&D Building, we will renew our commitment to technology development," and Hiroshi Kimura, General Manager, Kurami Works, pledged to "bring new technologies to the world from here at Kurami and continue developing into a factory that can contribute to the world."

 

By developing and supplying advanced materials with high functionality and performance, the Company will contribute to innovation and the development of a sustainable society.

 

1. For more information on the Company's core technologies, please see:
https://www.jx-nmm.com/english/rd_sp/core_tech/

2. A system for comprehensive assessment of building quality, including environmental considerations in energy efficiency and use of equipment and materials with low environmental load as well as interior comfort and consideration for the landscape.

 

Overview of Kurami Works R&D Building

Name Kurami Works R&D Building
Location 3 Kurami, Samukawa-machi, Koza-gun, Kanagawa (on Kurami Works site)
Construction and size Reinforced concrete, four floors, footprint approx. 360m2, total floor space approx. 1400m2
Architect Shimizu Corporation
CASBEE ranking A
Exterior
6018119_01_20230126_02.jpg

 

For reference
Completion ceremony
6018119_01_20230126_03.jpg
Shinto blessing
6018119_01_20230126_04.jpg
Manabu Hyakuno, General Manager, Functional Materials Division, delivers his remarks.
6018119_01_20230126_05.jpg
Attendees