Opening Ceremony Held for "Materials Innovation Center (MIC)"

Toray Industries, Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuo Ohya; hereinafter referred to as "Toray") held an opening ceremony on June 29 for its new research facility, the "Materials Innovation Center" (hereinafter referred to as "MIC"), located within the Toray Nagoya Plant. Nagoya Works. The opening ceremony began with a ribbon-cutting by Toray officials, followed by a commemorative ceremony attended by approximately 60 guests, including Hideaki Omura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture, and Ichiro Hirosawa, Mayor of Nagoya.

MIC serves as a core research facility for customer, academic, and global collaboration, focusing on R&D for Green Transformation (GX) and next-generation mobility. Researchers in polymers, chemicals, and carbon fiber composite materials, along with developers with expertise in chemical processes, will gather here to accelerate technological integration. By advancing nanotechnology and promoting the recycling of polymer raw materials and the use of biomass, we will develop materials, design processes, and propose solutions to customers aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across society.

Exterior view of MIC

MIC features a large, open-plan office and laboratory space on a single floor, designed to foster seamless idea generation in response to rapidly changing market needs. This setup encourages communication among researchers and strengthens open innovation both internally and externally through the use of open labs. It is also equipped with prototyping and processing equipment, as well as advanced analytical instruments, to drive integrated technological demonstrations for social implementation. Furthermore, a zone for evaluation and technological demonstration has been established to support advanced manufacturing, including 3D printing.

Additionally, by locating MIC adjacent to the development center that houses development and evaluation functions for mobility-related applications, we aim to maximize the synergistic effects of research and development, fostering the creation of materials by integrating a wide range of elemental technologies.

MIC will serve as a crucial partner for the automotive industry, particularly in the Chugoku region, and other industries engaged in GX, by collaborating with multifaceted specialists to solve challenges identified in the conceptualization phase and bring new materials and technologies to fruition.

In his address at the opening ceremony, President Ohya stated, "MIC is a place for us to weave the future of society with new science. I hope it will generate seeds for new businesses that will be needed in society 10 or 20 years from now. I am confident that this will lead to contributions to society through the creation of new value," expressing high expectations for the center.

<Overview of Materials Innovation Center (MIC) >

1. Facility Overview:

(1) Name: Materials Innovation Center (MIC: Materials Innovation Center)

(2) Total floor area: Approximately 8,600 sq m, 3 stories

(3) Location: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (within Toray Nagoya Works)

(4) Opening: June 2026 (Building completion: December 2025)

2. Main Functions and Equipment

(1) Barrier-free idea validation space: Single-floor office/lab

(2) Collaborative space with customers and academia: Open lab, innovation lounge

(3) Equipment and devices for social implementation and advanced manufacturing demonstrations

・Prototyping/processing equipment, advanced analytical instruments

・3D printing equipment

(4) Energy-saving design features

・Energy-saving equipment, solar power generation system, design incorporating natural light, etc.

・Acquired ZEB Ready*2 certification under the Building-Housing Energy-efficiency Labeling System (BELS*1)

*1 BELS (Building-Housing Energy-efficiency Labeling System): A system where a third-party evaluation body assesses and certifies the energy-saving performance of new and existing buildings based on the "Guidelines for Displaying Energy Consumption Performance of Buildings."

*2 ZEB (Net Zero Energy Building): Buildings aiming to achieve zero energy consumption while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. "ZEB Ready" refers to buildings that meet the criteria for reducing primary energy consumption by 50% or more from the standard primary energy consumption, excluding renewable energy.

Ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony (President Ohya in the center)

<Reference>

(1) Establishment of a New Research Base Contributing to a Sustainable Society

-Strengthening R&D for Green Transformation and Next-Generation Mobility-

(News Release, February 21, 2023)

https://www.toray.co.jp/news/article.html?contentId=l4c6q3a9

(2) New Research Facility within Nagoya Works Certified as "ZEB Ready"

(News Release, December 19, 2024)

https://www.toray.co.jp/news/article.html?contentId=3p7r1a39

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