In research and development, we promote the competitiveness of existing products and the development of next-generation businesses by cultivating fundamental technologies and by expanding and evolving core technologies. In addition, we actively engage in collaborative activities and open innovation with partners such as other companies and university research institutions, and carry out initiatives with an emphasis on innovative R&D and speed.

Initiatives for Research and Development

Shin-Etsu Polymer’s Production Unit, Sales Unit and Development Unit cooperate in developing high-value-added products to respond accurately to customer needs. Since our founding, we have refined the core technologies we have cultivated based on fundamental technologies backed by our extensive experience and knowledge as a manufacturer of molded plastic products to expand existing businesses and create new, next-generation businesses. We apply our compounding technology for functional resins, such as conductive materials, and our precision microfabrication processing technology to develop innovative products. Our integrated development system from design to evaluation enables us to utilize various market channels, which helps us provide differentiated products. 

Functions and Frameworks for Research and Development

To respond to changes in the operating environment and foster a sense of partnership with customers, Shin-Etsu Polymer takes full advantage of its technologies and production capacity to quickly create the value that customers require.

Formulation of Technology Strategy

Shin-Etsu Polymer looks at growth industries and determines commonalities with the technologies it possesses and seeks to uncover technologies it lacks. Based on this information, we formulate medium-to-long-term technology strategies, including technical tie-ups and M&A, and conduct technology research. We also expand the Group’s intangible assets by filing for and utilizing industrial property rights in line with intellectual property strategies. 

Development of New Themes

We promote the development of new products necessary for new businesses and the enhancement of core technologies through involvement in research and development driven by both market needs and technological advancement and the creation and improvement of materials and processing technologies. 

Research and Development of New Products and Businesses

Working in close cooperation with customers, we strengthen the competitiveness of existing businesses by conducting research and development and quickly updating the production environment to respond promptly to market changes. This plays a central role in raising the level of customer satisfaction and promoting business expansion. We also develop high-value-added products by improving the functions of products such as conductive polymers, functional films and electromagnetic wave shields. 

New Equipment Development

We work to expand applications of core technologies such as our silicone processing technologies. We also support the engineering and production activities of production bases worldwide and monitor the development of facilities for next-generation production that incorporates IoT, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. 

Quality Assurance

The Office of Quality Assurance is the main unit in charge of the Group’s global quality assurance. It formulates basic policies and strategies for quality assurance, supervises quality assurance organizations in each region and operating base, and directs the execution of specific plans and strategies. In addition, the office has established a system to check the quality of products in development when moving them into mass production to enable a quick transition to mass production.

Intellectual Property Initiatives

The Shin-Etsu Polymer Group recognizes that intellectual property and intangible assets such as patents and technological know-how are key management assets. Accordingly, we set intellectual property strategies for each business field with a different business model and promote the full use of “offensive” and “defensive” intellectual property management to support the development of new markets and new customers.
For offensive management, the Intellectual Property Department works together as one with the Sales Unit, the Development Unit and the Production Unit to promote measures such as strategic patent filing and registration of industrial property rights. We intend to actively use our intellectual property rights to gain a competitive edge in the market.
For defensive management, we conduct measures such as increasing our global research activities and dealing with intellectual property life cycle management and intellectual property-related agreements, based on respect for the intellectual property rights of other companies. We also conduct educational and awareness-building activities such as ongoing intellectual property training to raise the level of our intellectual property activities.
The number of registered patents and other intellectual property assets of the Shin-Etsu Polymer Group as of March 31, 2019 and 2020 was as follows.

As of March 31, 2022 As of March 31, 2023
Japan Patents 1120 1157
Utility models 1 1
Industrial designs 60 64
Trademarks 158 160
Foreign patents, etc. 584 604