JFE Holdings Increases R&D Investment to 40 Billion Yen in F2010

JFE Holdings plans to increase R&D investment by 11% to 40 billion yen for fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011 compared with fiscal 2009. Mr. Takashi Sekita, JFE Steel’s managing director said the firm continues technology development for a next decade when offshore steel makers advance development and build up production capacities. The firm concentrates management power in R&D related to environment, energy and resource.

JFE Holdings’ R&D investment was 36 billion yen in fiscal 2009. JFE Steel accounted for 30.7 billion yen. The main themes are development of new products and technologies for consumer satisfaction, establishment of high quality and high production technologies by process technology development, and innovation of CO2 reduction technology and low grade material utilization.

JFE Steel’s sales ratio of Only One and Number One products was 30% in fiscal 2009. The firm aims to increase the sales ratio in fiscal 2010.