Osaka Research & Development Center

Introduction

The Osaka Research & Development Center was established to serve as the head R&D facility for specialty materials at UBE.

The facility is designed to realize a new culture for R&D, with features that facilitate inter-departmental communication among researchers. The center is designed for the comprehensive pursuit of research, development, production technology, marketing, and production in tandem with the Sakai Factory.

The ultimate aim of the center is to develop new businesses realized through the collected knowledge of its human assets, by focusing on creating new materials that arise from communication among engineers. The center will leverage its location in the Kansai region to facilitate collaboration with companies and universities.

Concepts

The Osaka Research & Development Center revolves around an environmental design and architectural design.

Environmental Design

Rooms and floors are divided by area of specialization, each with an open layout to facilitate working without departmental walls. This is designed to encourage spontaneous ideas, inspiration, and stimulation among researchers in the same specialized field but from different departments. The center also features an open innovation area for conducting joint research with international and Japanese companies and research institutes.

Architectural Design

The sleek architectural design was proposed by Taisei Corporation (in cooperation with Okamura Corporation). The design takes cues from the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi that accepts transience and imperfection. In addition glass walls that provide a clear view of the research and testing are installed for safety reason.

Photographic Tour

As an advanced research facility, the center layout is designed to facilitate open work without departmental walls, under the concept of an environment that encourages interaction and inspiration among researchers. Click on a section of the floor layout to learn more and view photos.

Photos courtesy of TAISEI CORPORATION, OKAMURA CORPORATION

Gallery

Exterior

The Osaka Research & Development Center is UBE's first new R&D center in 20 years. Opened in August 2016, the center is highlighted by the extensive use of glass walls that let in natural light.

Exterior (Daytime)
Exterior (Night)
Sign/Memorial tree planting

1st floor : Conference room and Open labo

The conference room holds up to 80 people and can also be used for lectures and seminars. The room is equipped for videoconferencing and international teleconferencing to conduct remote meetings. An open innovation area (open laboratory) is used to conduct joint research with external collaborators.

Meeting room #1
Meeting room #2
Drawing room
Meeting corner
Entrance elevator hall
Open labo

2nd/3rd floor : Office and Laboratory

Offices feature an open layout and seating without designated desks, to facilitate open communication and discussion among researchers. For safety reasons, the research and testing area can be broadly viewed from the offices, like we see runway from airport lounge. The floor also features a meeting room with Japanese design cues, to conduct meetings with international visitors. These and other design touches are intended to provide more opportunities for gaining inspiration and ideas.

These floors features research and testing areas, an analysis room, and an assessment room with a dry room and clean room. The open layout features glass dividing walls for safety, so that testing is not done alone, and to offer a view of R&D.

Create hall (2F)
Meeting room #4
Japanese-style room
Communication zone
Meeting room #3
Create hall (3F)
Laboratory Area
Laboratory Area

Access

3-1, Chikko-Shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Sakai, Osaka
UBE Corporation
Osaka Research & Development Center

Google Map

About Sakai Factory

The Sakai Factory is situated in the Sakai-Senboku Coastal Industrial Zone located in Osaka Bay. Established in 1967, the plant has manufactured numerous chemicals and today manufactures specialty materials including electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion batteries. The plant also serves as a critical distribution point for industrial chemicals.