NIMS and Three Steel Companies to Develop a Framework for Open Innovation
—NIMS to Play a Pivotal Role in Strengthening Fundamental Technologies of Steel Industry by Addressing Issues Common to Steel Companies—
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
JFE Steel Corporation
Kobe Steel, Ltd.
NIMS, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, and Kobe Steel, Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding on the operation of the Materials Open Platform (MOP) on June 30, 2017. The MOP initiative is expected to promote NIMS-led open innovation in the steel industry.
Abstract
NIMS has received vast amounts of investment from the national government. As a result, it has developed into a premier R&D institute attracting world’s leading scientists and equipment. It has also built strength in problem-solving oriented projects. A NIMS-led Materials Open Platform (MOP) was established by joining forces with three steel companies in order to secure Japan’s international competitiveness through effective use of NIMS’ national resources.
Dramatic changes in the industrial environment driven by the development of AI, big data and IoT are making it difficult for individual manufacturers to engage in basic research leading to transformational innovations in materials. The goal of the MOP is to respond to medium- to long-term issues common to steel companies by developing fundamental technologies leading to innovation through large-scale collaboration across the steel industry in Japan. The MOP will also support the global competitiveness of Japanese steel businesses by promoting the pursuit of bilateral collaboration to leverage research accomplishments produced by MOP initiatives for their specific needs. In addition, the MOP will work to reduce environmental impact, make society safer, and promote infrastructure-related exports.
