TANIOBIS GmbH (hereinafter "TANIOBIS"), our Germany-based Group company, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of tantalum and niobium materials, with manufacturing and sales locations all around the globe. Primarily driven by TANIOBIS, we contribute to evolution of the IoT/AI society through stable supply of such products as metal powders used in capacitors and semiconductor materials, high-purity oxides for SAW devices and optical lenses, chlorides for semiconductors, and advanced powder materials.
Iida Kazuhiko
Executive Officer, General Manager Tantalum and Niobium Division, Senior Executive Engineer, Technology Group
JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
In our existing businesses, sales of high-purity tantalum powder for capacitors have been sluggish since 2019 as a result of inventory adjustments by some major customers. However, this drop in demand has bottomed out as a result of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to solid growth in fiscal 2021. Additionally, demand for high-purity tantalum powder for sputtering targets increased thanks to the strong semiconductor market. On the other hand, the market for alloy additives for aircraft engines and gas turbines in which niobium is used has experienced a significant downturn. Further, in new business development, we have been working to expand our business foundations by promoting initiatives targeting product development and the creation of synergies through close cooperation between TANIOBIS and JX Nippon Mining & Metals, as well as with the Toho Titanium Co., Ltd. Group and a range of start-ups. Through these activities, we are meeting the various demands of several customers and creating steady results ahead of market launch.
Iida Kazuhiko
Executive Officer, General Manager Tantalum and Niobium Division, Senior Executive Engineer, Technology Group
JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
Given the factors of expanded demand from working from home as well as for PCs and communications infrastructure, we expect to see an upswing in tantalum powder for use in capacitors and sputtering targets for semiconductors—both mainstay products for TANIOBIS. However, the future remains uncertain for niobium, but the aircraft industry is starting to see a recovery. Under these circumstances, TANIOBIS will promote customer sales activities that integrate sales and technology to further expand its market share and to optimize the product mix and reduce costs at each site, as well as promote the stable procurement of raw materials. We are actively working towards net zero CO2 emissions through measures such as switching over to 100% renewable energy at the Goslar plant. In new businesses as well, we will promote the early commercialization of new products under development, with a focus on minor metals and functional powders.
As of fiscal 2020, we have developed the Customer First Project—a customer-focused business model—that utilizes the advanced technology and outstanding production processes of TANIOBIS in order to promote customer-centric sales, development, and manufacturing. We have established technical centers at each of our manufacturing locations, and are working to discern customer needs by developing and improving products while taking their opinions on board. This approach has garnered high praise from customers because it provides a one-stop sales, research, and production service with increased convenience, and it has been effective for expanding sales. Looking forward, TANIOBIS will contribute to bringing about a IoT/AI society by meeting market expectations through ensuring a stable supply of high-quality advanced powder materials centered around tantalum and niobium.
TANIOBIS GmbH Goslar plant
