To become the Global First Supplier and meet the needs of growing markets more quickly and accurately, Mitsubishi Materials will also work on the business expansion in overseas markets and the creation of new businesses.

We are establishing our position as the number-one wrought copper product manufacturer in Japan, while in overseas markets, we are strengthening our product supply based on our alloy development capabilities and entering growing markets, such as xEV, medical, and environmental fields, with Luvata playing a central role. Additionally, by increasing the recycling rate of wrought copper products, we are contributing to the reduction of GHG emissions and improving cost competitiveness.

In the semiconductor, xEV, and other markets, we provide mainstay products such as processed silicon products/columnar crystal silicon, sealing products, and thermistor sensors, involving our customers at the development stage and adding value to the products. Additionally, we will create new businesses to address new market and customer needs.

Every product handled by the Electronic Materials and Components business is unique and niche. In April 2023, we established the Technology Department, a cross-functional organization spanning four departments* composing the Electronic Materials and Components business. Its purpose is to create new businesses by enhancing and combining our niche products. Inside the Tech- nology Department, we established the Marketing Group and the Semiconductor New Technology & Materials Business R&D Center to explore opportunities for new businesses and products, with a particular focus on semiconductor material fields.
The Semiconductor New Technology & Materials Business R&D Center has development and test production functions, creating a consistent system for conducting interviews on market and customer needs and verifying hypotheses through development and test production in collaboration with the Marketing Group. The cross-functional organization will manage the strengths and advantageous technologies of the four departments to create synergies across the entire business.
*Advanced Materials, Electronic Components, Electronic Chemicals, and Sealing Products

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc used for a variety of applications as an industrial material. In general, around 3.0% of lead is added to brass products to enhance machinability. However, in recent years, regulations regarding lead content have been strengthened, primarily in Europe, with the aim of reducing environmental impact. For example, the RoHS directive and ELV directive prohibit the containing of lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium in electrical, electronic, and automotive components. These regulations are projected to become stricter, and the demand for lead-free brass products with 0.1% or less lead content is increasing.
Under these circumstances, our company developed GloBrass®, next-generation lead-free brass with excellent machinability, in 2020. GloBrass® has approximately twice the conductivity of ECO BRASS®, our conventional product. Furthermore, it reduces copper content to cut metal costs while maintaining machinability and high strength, and is expected to be widely used for automotive and electronic components.
As GloBrass® has 0.09% or less lead content, it is anticipated to be widely used for faucet fittings. To accelerate market development in this field, we are proceeding with registering a standard as an alloy that complies with the European drinking water directive.
In the future, we aim to disseminate the product to European and US markets, where environmental regulations are advanced. We collaborate with Luvata, our Group company that has a dedicated license for GloBrass®, strategically work on product development and marketing in the mentioned markets, and strive to establish our position as the Global First Supplier of eco-friendly, lead-free brass products.