Intellectual Capital

Intellectual Capital (R&D activities, Intellectual Property Strategies and Other Endeavors Related to Intellectual Capital)

Guided by our unique belief in the material possibilities of rubber, we have taken on the challenge of developing industry-leading rubber technology and thus created “world firsts” on multiple fronts. Building on this track record, the Sumitomo Rubber Group promotes a wide range of research and development in fields related to Tire, Sports and Industrial Products businesses, thereby securing the driving force that generates products with competitive advantages as well as new growth. In fiscal 2022, R&D spending on such activities and innovation totaled ¥27.3 billion, which accounts for 2.5% of consolidated sales revenue.

We are also nurturing partnerships with and engaged in joint development involving external corporations, universities and research institutions. In 2022, we developed an AI- based program that reproduces judgments exercised by veteran design engineers in the course of tire development through a joint project with NEC Corporation. Moreover, acting in collaboration with Professor Yoshitaka Ishii of Tokyo Institute of Technology and Mr. Muneki Ouchi, a visiting researcher at RIKEN, we have shed new light on the mysteries surrounding the curing process of rubber, which involves chemical reactions between raw rubber and sulfur under intense heat and pressure. As such, our research initiatives have yielded robust outcomes. In addition, Sumitomo Rubber Industries is ranked in the first place in terms of the size of patent assets in the rubber product industry according to a survey undertaken by Patent Result Co., Ltd. in November 2022 to comprehensively assess patent assets held by businesses from both qualitative and quantitative aspects.

Status of Intellectual Capital

Intellectual Property Strategies

The Group proactively carries out intellectual property activities that support its businesses.

Specifically, the Group undertakes intellectual property activities focusing on three pillars, namely: 1) “securing intellectual property rights” with regard to such industrial properties as patents, utility models, designs and trademarks; 2) “exercising such rights” to guard against the infringement of Sumitomo Rubber Industries’ intellectual property rights; and 3) “eliminating risk” by developing a structure to defend against attacks by third parties.

In step with the rapid expansion of its overseas operations, the scope of the Group’s intellectual property activities is growing worldwide, encompassing not only Japan but also the U.S.A., Europe and such Asian countries as China, as well as Russia and countries in South America, the Middle East and Africa.

Efforts are now under way to nurture human resources and reinforce our structure to conduct intellectual property activities commensurate with such globalization.

In particular, the Group is providing training sessions for not only Intellectual Property Department members but also employees at every operational base with the aim of raising awareness of intellectual property and upgrading the competencies of the entire workforce.

Such action is facilitating the development of a structure that ensures that intellectual property activities are carried out smoothly and seamlessly on a Group-wide basis. In particular, we are focusing on acquiring more effective rights by assigning IP representatives to Europe.

Focusing on the above-mentioned three pillars, the Group will promote the more efficient implementation of intellectual property activities at a global level.

R&D Activities

TOPICS