- [Feature Article 1-1] Developing Technology for a Bright Future-Technology Outlook
- [Feature Article 1-1] Developing Technology for a Bright Future-Technology Outlook
- [Feature Article 1-2] Developing Technology for a Bright Future-Tackling the Challenge Against Global Warming
- [Feature Article 2] Global Energy Saving through Ecoglass
- [Feature Article 3] Arsenic- and Antimony-Free Glass for Liquid Crystal Displays and Hard Disk Drive
- [Feature Article 4] Creating a Safe, Secure, Comfortable and Environmentally Friendly World with Chemical Technology
- Environmental Products
Feature Article 1-1 Taking on the Challenge of Reducing Environmental Impact Developing Technology for a Bright Future
In the glass-manufacturing process, materials are melted at high temperatures, requiring large amounts of energy. We are thus engaged in a business exerting considerable environmental impact, and we recognize all the more strongly the need to promote energy saving in our manufacturing process as well as to provide our customers with products that help create a sustainable society. The AGC Group regards it as its mission to create new value and contribute to society through its business by utilizing its glass and chemical technologies. For example, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our business by developing and supplying Ecoglass and products for solar cells and fuel cells, thereby contributing to the creation of a more prosperous and brighter society.
Glass Manufacturing by the Float Method
Technology Outlook Foreseeing the Future to Develop Socially Useful Technologies
Window glass used to be simply transparent, flat glass designed to keep out rain and wind, but in recent times it has come to serve a new role: as a building material that can contribute significantly to energy saving. The AGC Group, aware of the importance of creating technology strategies in view of social and environmental changes, has begun to formulate a technology roadmap based on the Group's Technology Outlook. In this Technology Outlook, we predict changes in the global environment, demographic trends, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of countries, political situations, and product prices for the next 10 to 20 years, and we subsequently formulate our technology roadmap based on these predictions. In reference to the roadmap, the entire AGC Group, which encompasses a broad spectrum of technologies in the glass and chemical fields, endeavors to make concerted efforts to develop products and technologies that help society achieve positive changes, thereby contributing to creating a sustainable society through its business activities.
The AGC Group's Technology Outlook
The AGC Group endeavors to conduct technology and business development based on predictions of long-term social trends, with the aim of contributing to positive changes in society.
Incorporating an Environmental Viewpoint in the Basics of Development
In starting its themes for technological development, the AGC Group identifies both the potential positive and negative effects of technological developments on the environment. If a number of positive effects are identified, we choose to proceed with R&D on the theme, despite probable economic drawbacks. On the other hand, if the technological development is deemed to have serious negative effects on the environment, we choose not to embark on the development.
In addition, we have adopted a so-called stage-gate R&D management system. Specifically, we conduct appropriate checks including checks on environmental aspects at the "gate" of each development stage to decide whether it is acceptable to continue the development. This ensures that researchers will always be aware of the environmental issues at stake and encourages them to develop more environmentally friendly technologies.
For example, we started the development of materials for solar cells 20 or more years ago, and are now finally reaping some economic gains from this development. Spurred by such achievements, AGC Group has successfully nurtured a corporate culture in which employees place utmost emphasis on the environment when undertaking development.
Technological development process by the stage-gate R&D management system
“Gates” are set at each of the stages (proposal of ideas, R&D, and business planning) and at the gates, checks are conducted on environmental and economical aspects.
Topic
Developing New Technologies with Society
Technology-Related Topics for Fiscal 2007
AGC Group Technology Expo 2007
Holding an Exhibition in Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary
A huge glass cube positioned in the center of the venue.
Various images were projected onto the cube surfaces.
A huge glass cube positioned in the center of the venue. Various images were projected onto the cube surfaces.
In December 2007, the AGC Group held the AGC Group Technology Expo 2007.
At the venue, in addition to the Group’s 100-year history, its core technologies, namely glass material design and production processing technology, coating and patterning technology, and fluorine and chemical technology, were introduced through displays and through demonstrations and presentations given by the Group’s employees.
Panels showing the Group’s environmental and manufacturing activities were also displayed to introduce a selection of its CSR activities to visitors.
Summary of the Keynote Address made at the AGC Group Technology Expo 2007
By returning to our original principles as a manufacturer of materials and components, we strive to provide customers with value-added materials.
Akira Toyama
Director, Senior Executive Officer, CTO
(Presently serves as Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of the Research Center)
Akira Toyama
Director, Senior Executive Officer, CTO
(Presently serves as Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of the Research Center)
<Responding to the Changing Market and Meeting the True Needs of Customers>
For the 100 years since the foundation of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. in 1907, we have been continually promoting the globalization of the company while responding to the needs of the market through our material technology. For the AGC Group to remain as a company whose continued existence is valued by society, it is necessary for the Group to maximize synergies within the Group and proceed with strategic technological development. To this end, we have started the formulation of the AGC Group’s
technology roadmap. We will review and optimize this roadmap on an annual basis to show the direction of our technological development, focusing on both technology and business operations. This will be based on our activity conducted under the name of Technology Outlook, which is designed to predict changes in societal circumstances and the global environment 10 to 20 years from now. In addition, we are promoting cooperation with external organizations, including joint research with universities
under our Research Collaboration Programme and collaboration with overseas organizations.
<Returning to Original Principles to Open up a New Age>
Through these activities, the AGC Group is returning to its original principles as a materials and components manufacturer. Specifically, we aim to improve the “value quality” we offer to our customers by differentiating materials at the upstream stage of manufacturing and upgrading our production technology, which constitutes the basis of manufacturing. To this end, we will combine our technologies in our three major business fields and optimize our technology roadmap on a global scale to display our strength. We will also commit ourselves to environmentally friendly manufacturing and to the employment and development of excellent human resources.
Research Collaboration Programme, a Public-Invitation Industry
(Academia Joint Study Programme)
In 2004, Asahi Glass introduced the AGC Research Collaboration Programme, in which products and technologies are developed jointly with universities, public research institutions, and other bodies that the company selects based on its needs and seeds from among those invited publicly. The groups of selected joint research themes will receive funds of 20 million yen a year for up to three years. Applicants with excellent themes that are not selected can also receive research support. We are actively utilizingthe joint research results for the creation of new businesses and products.
Research theme selected in fiscal 2007 |
