Focusing on 'technology supporting behind the scenes, not finished products'! The forefront of Japanese manufacturing seen from 'High-Functional Materials' originating in Osaka/Kansai

RX Japan Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Executive Officer and President: Takeshi Tanaka) will hold the 14th High-Functional Material Week [Osaka] at Intex Osaka for the period from Wednesday, May 13 to Friday, May 15, 2026. This exhibition is one of Western Japan's largest specialized trade shows where material technologies that support familiar products in automotive, electronics, medical, and construction fields—such as metals, films, plastics, ceramics, adhesion/joining, and paints/coatings—gather in one place. For this Osaka event, companies headquartered or with major bases in the Kansai and Osaka areas will also convene, allowing visitors to see actual materials and technologies used in practice through physical displays. The Kansai region has long supported Japan's manufacturing industry as an agglomeration of material manufacturers, processing companies, and SME manufacturers. This exhibition focuses on technologies and materials utilized in manufacturing sites domestically and internationally, providing an opportunity to experience the perspective of 'how technologies originating in Osaka connect to global manufacturing.' In recent years, the quality of parts and materials on the manufacturing floor has regained attention as a crucial factor dictating product competitiveness. Although rarely visible as a finished product, the exhibition sheds light on the 'behind-the-scenes technologies' that determine product quality and performance, introducing them in an easy-to-understand manner. Click here for the official website ▶ The Connection Between Osaka and Manufacturing Osaka, once called the 'Manchester of the Orient,' remains one of Japan's leading industrial clusters, accounting for about an 8% national share of manufacturing establishments today. Ranking highly nationwide in the number of manufacturing establishments, Osaka is a region where many companies handling materials and processing, such as material manufacturers and processing firms, are clustered. A wide range of businesses involved in manufacturing have been operating within the prefecture. A high percentage of basic industrial materials are shipped from manufacturing establishments within Osaka Prefecture, which is one of the characterizing elements of Osaka's manufacturing industry. (Source: Osaka Prefecture "2025 Naniwa Economic Data | Chapter 4 Osaka's Industry ") Notable Exhibitors from Osaka/Kansai (*Excerpt) OZK Co., Ltd. Supporting women's beauty and health with materials for 70 years [Yao City] A company that has been producing components used in women's innerwear such as bras and corsets since its foundation. At the venue, they will propose a new generation 'core' material that bends flexibly back and forth, left and right. Toray-Lycra Co., Ltd. Highly stretchable fiber called 'Miracle Thread' [Kita-ku, Osaka City] A synthetic fiber developed to achieve rubber-like elasticity. It is thin, transparent, and stretches 4 to 7 times its original length when pulled, retaining the property of returning to its original state when relaxed. Its application is expanding into various fields, including clothing and disposable diapers. Kanuki Roller Mfg. Co., Ltd. High-functional rubber rollers supporting printing and film production [Ikoma City/Ward, Osaka(Nara)] A long-established company that quickly developed rubber rollers in Japan in 1923. They will introduce technologies leading to countermeasures against wrinkles, scratches, and static electricity during film production, including new-generation rollers that are highly resistant to corrosion and highly durable. Kansai Paint Co., Ltd. Initiatives for seaweed bed regeneration born from paint technology [Kita-ku, Osaka City] Utilizing expertise cultivated through their long-standing paint business, they are developing an 'Algae Growth Promoter' to support the regeneration and creation of seaweed beds. Regenerating seaweed beds contributes to the recovery of a rich, sustainable ocean and blue carbon. Kansen Expander Industrial Co., Ltd. From detection to removal of wrinkle problems [Hirakata City] The manufacturer with the top domestic share of expander rolls, providing consistent solutions from detection to removal of wrinkles occurring in production lines for films, metal foils, and paper manufacturing. Contributes to production line automation and prevention of defect outflow. Fujichemi Kinki Co., Ltd. Coating technology supporting electronic materials and architectural applications [Kita-ku, Osaka City] Developing technologies that apply coatings to plastic materials to enhance functionality and design. Introduces a wide range of materials supporting the electronics field, such as films for displays and automotive applications. Exhibition Overview Western Japan's largest scale exhibition where cutting-edge material technologies gather Exhibition Name: 14th High-Functional Material Week [Osaka] Dates: Wednesday, May 13 - Friday, May 15, 2026, 10:00 - 17:00 Venue: Intex Osaka Organizer: RX Japan Ltd. Concurrent Exhibitions: - 6th Photonix [Osaka] - Optical and Laser Technology Exhibition - - 2nd Recycle Tech Japan [Osaka] - 1st Extreme Heat Tech [Osaka] Extreme Heat Countermeasure Technology Exhibition Images of the venue last year in 2025 Venue Layout Plan Click here for the official website ▶ ★ For Press/Media: Click here for coverage application --- Please feel free to consult us --- For your coverage, if you wish to interview exhibitors or film product demonstrations, the secretariat can adjust the schedule. The industry's fore...