R&D

INSTITUTE INTRODUCTIONINSTITUTE INTRODUCTION

Pursuit Creative Hybrid Chemistry
Research and Development Organization

Sumitomo Chemical has been developing six core technologies by utilizing its technologies accumulated through a broad range of research activities over many years. The six core technologies are catalyst design, high-precision processing, design of functional organic chemicals and polymers, design of functional inorganic materials, device design, and analysis of bio-mechanisms. Sumitomo Chemical's Creative Hybrid Chemistry forms the basis of its R&D strategy. Creative Hybrid Chemistry means enhancing our base technologies while broadening and deepening our six core technologies, and combining these disparate technologies from both inside and outside the company to create higher value-added products and technologies.

Moreover, in addition to developing new materials, we are also emphasizing linkages with the business of materials solutions, which encompasses the development of downstream businesses and businesses of different industries. In order to quickly and efficiently apply the fruits of our R&D efforts toward the development of high value-added businesses, we will aggressively pursue technological collaborations with academic institutions and companies from other industries around the world.

Sumitomo Chemical's research organization comprises the Business Sector Research Laboratories, the Corporate Research Laboratories, and the Production & Safety Fundamental Technology Center. At the Business Sector Research Laboratories, both manufacturing and sales personnel are making concerted efforts on research and development of products that contribute to the maintenance, strengthening, and expansion of their business activities and of basic and elemental technologies. The Corporate Research Laboratories are engaged in long-term research projects, including projects to develop technologies required to enter new business fields, common base technologies that will yield competitive advantages for the sustainable development of the company's core businesses, and next-generation products and processes. The Production & Safety Fundamental Technology Center promotes research and development to strengthen safety measures, disaster-prevention capabilities and production plants' competitiveness, while actively providing support for the company's manufacturing operations.