Technology Strategy
Creating value by developing fundamental technologies that drive the evolution of core technologies The Gunze Group has continued to provide customers with a wide array of products by engaging in research and development grounded in the fundamental technologies of fiber processing, resin processing, and “manufacturing technology x equipment development.”
R&D Expenses
The Creation of New Value
Under our Medium-term Management Plan VISION 2030 stage 1,” the Company is engaged in research and development of the health apparel (“Iryo®”) and functional
films.
Under stage 2, we will continue to engage in a wide range of R&D activities in a bid to provide new value to our customers. MediCure®, a wellness and health
category product brand designed to improve customers’ quality of life (QOL) by reducing skin irritation, is gaining recognition for its value in relieving pain
after surgery. We will continue to deepen our collaboration with local governments, medical institutions, nursing care facilities, and other companies to promote
the development of “Iryo®” as a part of efforts to alleviate specific concerns. Moreover, we will work diligently to develop medical devices and components for use
in hospitals, and for home health and nursing care, utilizing our plastic molding technology to help improve the QOL of our customers.
Targeting the semiconductor and automotive industries, we will work to increase the sophistication of our plastic molding, multilayer-oriented film, and dispersive
mixing technologies that we have nurtured to date, and promote the development of environmentally friendly industrial material films that improve process
efficiency, reduce process loss, and are designed to be recyclable. Building in these endeavors, we will actively promote R&D activities that lead to technological
innovation to help create new value in our existing business divisions.
Innovation through processing technologies
Interactions with external institutions We actively promote interactions with external institutions in an effort to educate ourselves and to remain abreast of new information and technologies, while working to secure the continued evolution of our technologies and expansion of opportunities for their use.
Interaction with academia ―Academic paper on “Acetylation of cotton knitted fabrics for improved quick drying after water absorption”―
In November 2023, the Company presented a paper at the Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, where we discussed the properties of modified cotton fabrics
and analytical techniques in front of a large audience.。
(Presentation in the Society’s publication)
Acetylation of cotton knitted fabrics for improved quick drying after water absorption.S,Onodera. et al. Cellulose; 25 March, 2024
Presentation at the Society of Fiber Science and Technology
―Lecture on “Application of Absorbent Polymeric Materials in Medical Devices”―
In October 2023, Senior Researcher Yamauchi of our Research & Development Department, served as a lecturer in a class at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering. This class is designed with the goal of deepening students’ understanding of the scientific fundamentals and applications of materials through lectures on the diverse industrial applications of materials and their peripheral technologies, with a focus on industrial and economic fields.
Lecturing at the University of Tokyo
Interaction through participation in exhibitions ―Participating in the 10th Medical Japan Osaka Exhibition―
In January 2024, we introduced our latest initiatives under two themes: “Medical Products Using Functional Films” and “Health Clothing Therapy Using Textile Technology.”
An exhibition bustling
with a crowd of visitors
―Exhibiting at Medtec Japan 2024―
In April 2024, we exhibited our “ultrasonic examination-use sheet” and “irregularly shaped tube,” currently under research and development, at an event that brings together suppliers in the medical device industry engaged in the design and manufacture of medical devices, with people involved in research and development at medical device manufacturers in Japan and abroad.
