Nitto Denko Launches R&D Center in Switzerland

One of the Japans leading diversified materials manufacturer, Nitto Denko Corporation, announced that it has launched Nitto Denko Europe Technical Centre Sarl (NET) a new innovation facility in Switzerland. NET is expected to underpin Nitto Denkos global corporate R&D setup along with the existing key sites in Japan, the U.S. and Singapore.

Situated at the Innovation Square of the ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) the second-highest ranking Swiss University in Thomson Reuters World University Rankings in 2011-12 which employ performance indicators including research volume, income and reputation, NET will take full advantage of EPFLs peripheral network and rich talent pool in its European-oriented innovation in environmental and life science fields.

Back in 2005, Nitto Denko launched the Europe R&D Committee (ERC) at its Belgium-based subsidiary Nitto Europe. ERC has mainly pursued technology marketing in Europe and become capable of conducting various R&D projects, over the course of past seven years. From a committee tied to Nitto Europe, ERC is now turning into a separate institute and this is a milestone in Nitto Denkos pursuit of the ideal corporate R&D setup.

NET is expected to explore possibilities and create opportunities in the environmental and life science domains, especially by leveraging bio-based materials. Such efforts may potentially take the form of a three-to-six-year long mid-term R&D project. Also in line with Nitto Denkos ongoing Area Niche Top strategy, the strategy for achieving the identified niche within specific markets on a regional-basis across the globe, NET is expected to accelerate development of Area Niche Top products in Europe.

About the ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, EPFL is among the Worlds most cosmopolitan technical universities. It attracts the "cream of the crop" students and has world-leading professors and staff representing over 120 nationalities. It is also one of most innovative and productive technology institutes in the world, with more than 250 laboratories and research groups on campus bringing together more than 10,000 people. The unique structure of the university promotes the cutting-edge R&D activities and encourages creative industry-academia partnerships. The university is the second highest-ranking Swiss university and also among the top-nine European universities in Thomson Reuters World University Rankings 2011-12. EPFL has also been ranked top-three in Europe and top 20 worldwide in many other scientific rankings.