NGK Insulators
NGK Insulators
NGK Insulators
Using ceramics, we can help sustain the environment and human society.
we can meet the needs of every age and provide the world with new values.
2 CORPORATE PROFILE
Under a philosophy that NGK products and technologies must create new value and
contribute to the quality of life, NGK Insulators has constantly sought to develop and
supply products that can contribute to a more steadfast social foundation and protect the
natural environment. By fusing key materials such as porous ceramics, functional ceramics
and ceramics for use as structural material together with our unique molding, firing,
processing and evaluation technologies, we strive to create groundbreaking products that
leverage the full potential of ceramics.
Another of the driving forces behind our remarkable success at making high-added-value
products is our human resources. All NGK members work hard to continuously improve
their knowledge, skills and technological prowess, and they go about their work with
passion and pride in the fact that their products and services make a real contribution to
safety and security in the community.
Meanwhile, we at NGK also relish the challenge of tackling the many thorny issues the world
faces in relation to energy and the environment. In addition to our long track record in
sectors such as energy, ecology and electronics, we are eager to use these new ventures to
further expand our operations into new and uncharted fields. Indeed, we remain dedicated to
applying our state-of-the-art technologies quickly and innovatively to meet popular demand
for environmental protection and solid support for people’s livelihoods and industries.
Taro Kato
Pr esi dent
President Message 3
1919 NGK Insulators is founded out of a desire to localize
the production of “special high-voltage insulators,”
a key component in the modernization of Japan.
A piece of the insulator that Workers put the finishing The first tunnel kiln to be
sparked the foundation of touches on insulators in the installed at our factory at One of the first “special high-voltage insulators”
NGK Insulators. (1905) early days. company headquarters. (1920s) to be produced in Japan
4 CORPORATE PROFILE
The electrification gradually began to gain traction at the end of The History of NGK Insulators’ Manufacturing
the 19th century. At the time, Japan relied on imports for
high-voltage insulators. Japanese high-voltage insulator R&D 19 19
1919 NGK Insulators Ltd. established by spinning of the insulator
division of Nippon Toki (now known as Noritake Co., Limited).Ĕ Ɨĕ Ɨĕ
and production began only with a desire to make a contribution
1923
19 23 Bushing production operations begin.
to the country by producing insulators locally and a piece of an ①
19 29
1929 Testing facilities completed for 1,000kV-
1,000kV class high-voltage insulators.
American insulator to study. Despite such humble beginnings,
19 31
1931 Manufacturing and marketing of sulfuric acid corrosion-resistant apparatuses
NGK Insulators has consistently succeeded in developing for the chemical industry begins.ĔƘĕ
ultra-high-voltage, ultra-high-strength insulators to meet the 1935
19 35 NGK’s first exports: Suspension insulators exported to India.
massive demand for electricity of rapidly evolving lifestyles and 19 58
1958 Manufacturing and marketing of beryllium-copper
berylliu copper products begins.Ĕ ƙ ĕ
developing industries. As a result, we have grown into the 19 63
1963 Construction of High Voltage Laboratory completed.
world’s foremost manufacturer of insulators underpinning 19 65
1965 NGK’s first overseas distribution company:
power supply the world over. NGK INSULATORS OF AMERICA, LTD.
(now known as NGK-LOCKE, INC.) incorporated.
②
1971
19 71 Manufacturing and marketing of translucent alumina ceramics HICERAM begins.
Here at NGK Insulators, our formidable technological
19 73
1973 NGK’s first overseas production base
strengths, honed by long years of experience in the production
LOCKE INSULATORS, INC. (USA) incorporated.
of ceramic insulators, have enabled us to further develop a 19 76
1976 Manufacturing and marketing of ceramic catalyst carrier
range of new technologies which are now contributing to the R ○
HONEYCERAM for vehicle exhaust gas purification commences.Ĕ ƚĕ ƚĕ
development of the energy, ecology and electronics sectors. 1978
19 78 NGK delivers first low-level radioactive waste incineration system.
These include the world’s first large-capacity storage batteries, 19 86
1986 Characters used in Japanese company name changed; ③
which are paving the way for next-generation infrastructures; English name remains the same.
vehicle exhaust cleaning components that provide a major 1989
19 89 Production of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) begins.
leap forward in the fight to overcome environmental issues; 19 95
1995 NGK delivers the world’s largest gas bushing for UHV transmission facility (11.5m).
19 96
1996 Mass production of ceramics for semiconductor production devices begins.
industrial machinery that provide momentum for chemical
Production of vehicle exhaust gas NOx sensors begins.
industries; and the precision machinery that underpins the
19 98
1998 Production of piezoelectric microactuators for inkjet printers begins.
evolution of electronics. NGK Foundation for International Students established.
④
2002
20 02 C1 home-use water purifier
puri ier goes on sale.
All of us at NGK Insulators are committed to leveraging our ○R The first mass-produced
20 03
2003 Mass production of NAS battery system begins. HONEYCERAM unit. This
original ceramic technologies to advance the creation of 20 06
2006 NGK Education Services, Ltd. incorporated to train and develop employees. historic item was listed by the
National Museum of Nature
things that meet the needs of all society and promote the 20 07
2007 NGK develops one of the largest nano-
nan ceramic membranes in the world. and Science as an Essential
○
Historical Material for Science
betterment of the whole world. 20 11
2011 R
Total HONEYCERAM production reaches one billion. and Technology in 2009.
Ecology Electronics
Ecology Electronics
Development and manufacturing Development and manufacturing
products that contribute to products that provide momentum to
environmental conservation. electronic evolution.
6 CORPORATE PROFILE
Ceramic Products Research &
Power Business Business Electronics Business Development
We offer an array of products to ensure a We offer a line-up of ceramic products, We offer the latest in fine ceramic We carry out research and development to
stable supply of electricity (surely the led by automotive exhaust gas purifiers, technologies to help drive the technical look beyond the horizon of what is currently
bedrock on which our communities and which serves a broad range of industries innovation that makes electronics smaller considered possible in the “triple E” areas
livelihoods are based) and contribute to and provides smart solutions for modern and lighter yet more advanced. (ecology, energy and electronics) with the
energy conservation and sustainability. requirements such as environment protection aim of creating new technologies and
and energy conservation. products for a new age.
○
R
□ NAS battery systems □ Substrates for autmobile catalytic converters □ Ceramics for semiconductor □ Nano-ceramic membranes
for electric energy storage HONEYCERAM manufacturing equipment □ Solid
oxide fuel cells (SOFC)
□ Insulators and equipment for □ Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) Electrostatic chucks □ Wavelength conversion devices
power transmission Ceramic heaters
□ NOx sensors □ DNA chips for genetic analysis
□ Insulators and equipment for □ Ceramics for electric and
□ Industrial processing products
substations electronic machinery
Heating devices, kilns and refractries Piezoelectric microactuators for inkjet printers
□ Insulators and equipment for Low-level radioactive waste treatment systems Translucent alumina ceramics HICERAM
power distribution Ceramic membranes and separators Electronic components for communication devices
Corrosion-resistant equipment and systems
□ Beryllium copper
Business Fields 7
Proven technologies for
a stable power supply, a clean
earth and a bright future.
Electricity is the force that powers our daily lives and
sustains our societies. We at NGK Insulators have striven
throughout our company’s history to protect and uphold
this vital lifeline by constantly seeking to make better
quality insulators so as to provide the whole world with
highly reliable insulators and other items related to energy
supply. Moreover, we strive to have made a big contribution
to the establishment of sustainable energy sources with the
creation of the NAS battery system, a large-capacity
storage system that dispelled the myth that electricity could
not be stored. Far from resting on our laurels, however, we
remain dedicated to creating ever more advanced products
in anticipation of the demands of the coming age.
8 CORPORATE PROFILE
○
R
Using original and highly advanced ceramic technologies, we at NGK were the first
in the world to commercialize a NAS battery system that had the capacity to handle
“megawatts” of electricity.
The NAS battery system boasts an array of superior features, including large
capacity, high energy density and long life. It is capable of maintaining a high output
of electric power for long periods of time despite being only one-third the size of
conventional lead batteries. NAS is the ideal system for reducing peak electricity
use, charging at night when demand is low, and releasing during peak times in the
day. Moreover, the NAS battery system offers added benefits such as emergency
power supply during power outages and momentary drops in voltage. As such, NAS
batteries are attracting interest around the world as the all-important storage
component for the further spread of renewable energy and the establishment of
next-generation “smart-grid” transmission networks.
NAS battery systems have been already installed NAS batteries have sodium (Na) negative electrodes
in more than 170 locations worldwide. and sulfur (S) positive electrodes separated by a
fine ceramic electrolyte.
NAS battery systems used to store power generated A cell battery (left) and a solid ceramic electrolyte.
at a wind farm.
Power Business 9
Insulators
Insulators for
power transmission
Here at NGK Insulators, we
produce an extensive line-up of
multi-functional insulators that
are resistant to dirt and lightning
damage.
We constantly seek to innovate,
and have succeeded in making
our insulators more compact
without compromising strength
or isolation capacity. Thus, our
suspension insulators for UHV
power transmission are only
40cm in diameter but can
withstand a load of 77 tons.
10 CORPORATE PROFILE
Insulators and equipment for substations Equipment for power transmission High Voltage Laboratory
NGK hollow insulators, support insulators, bushings, We manufacture devices to prevent power
isolators and other transformer devices are used to isolate outages when something happens to Equipped with the world’s largest insulator testing
power lines from equipment and the transformer building. In transmission lines. In particular, our line facility, the High Voltage Laboratory is an internation-
fact, our technological capabilities enabled us to make UHV arresters, which have built-in functional ally accredited testing laboratory— the first high-voltage
gas bushings some 11.5 meters long—the largest porcelain ceramic (zinc oxide elements), make a huge testing facility to be accredited in Japan. The institute
products in the world. contribution to blackout prevention by evaluates and tests insulator devices at actual scale; it is
selectively discharging the large fluxes in responsible for innumerable achievements in the
current caused by lightning strikes. research and development of insulators for substation,
power transmission and other power supply devices, and
its contribution to the energy industry is invaluable.
UHV gas bushings made by NGK Insulators. NGK Insulators produces a range of switches. Contamination test of a UHV bushing shell.
Power Business 11
Supplying the world with
people-friendly,
environment-friendly,
advanced technologies.
As more and more priority is placed on ensuring sustainable
use of resources, manufacturing industries will face ever
greater demand for technologies. At NGK Insulators, we
continue to develop technologies aimed not just at enabling
people to live in comfort, but also at taking care of our
planet to create societies where natural resources are used
sustainably. For example, by making products that help
automobiles and industries become more eco-friendly,
our company contributes to the comfortable and abundant
lives we enjoy. We always endeavor to use our unique
fine ceramic technologies to help overcome challenges to
the earth’s environment. We are proud that our pioneering
work and reliability is now recognized the world over.
12 CORPORATE PROFILE
Substrates for automobile catalytic converters
○
R
HONEYCERAM
Atmosphere-controlled roller hearth kiln for firing A burnable solid waste incinerator.
powdered materials.
Filters for valuable materials A large ceramic membrane Glass-lined desorption blades.
recovering devices. for water purification.
14 CORPORATE PROFILE
Faster, smaller and more stylish:
Expanding the horizons of
electronic possibilities.
From computers and mobile phones to household
appliances and cars, electronics are an ever bigger part
of our daily lives. We at NGK Insulators strive to apply
our advanced ceramic technologies to continually
increase the possibilities of other, rapidly evolving
technologies in the pursuit of ever greater convenience
and performance. Our mission is to expand the horizon of
what is possible in the world of electronics by developing
new and ground-breaking technologies such as components
that revolutionize the semiconductor manufacturing
process and other products to further propel electric
and electronic devices into the future.
16 CORPORATE PROFILE
Ceramics for semiconductor
manufacturing equipment
Electronics Business 17
Ceramics for electric and
electronic machinery
Our unique, high-precision ceramic technologies
push electronics further into the future.
The wealth of ceramic technologies we have built up through long years of experience
are a proven strength when it comes to electronics, which must meet stringent
demands for precision. One example of this can be seen in the piezoelectric microactuators
used in the core of inkjet printer heads. These are actually ceramics, a collection of
tiny micropumps that release ink. When electricity is applied, piezoelectric elements
vibrate and release ink. Such is their precision, they can release ink in amounts as
small as a picoliter (a trillionth of a liter), and can do so tens of thousands of times each
second. Elsewhere, we have developed a broad variety of other products which also
contribute to the furtherance of electronics, including HICERAM arc tubes with
superior translucence and components for electronic communication devices that
utilize the best ceramic and manufacturing technologies.
18 CORPORATE PROFILE
Beryllium copper
A variety of products to suit all kinds of needs. An undersea communication cable repeater.
Electronics Business 19
We create new global
standards for a better world
and a better future.
At NGK Insulators, we conduct research and development
in the fields of energy, ecology and electronics as part of
our mission to address the challenges facing our societies,
meet new global needs and discover new possibilities for
ceramics. Through our broad-ranging research into
ceramic material and our unrivalled analytical, evaluation
and production technology, we strive to create the kind of
products that will set new global standards and spark
further innovation.
20 CORPORATE PROFILE
Research & development
Nano-ceramic membranes Solid oxide fuel cells Wafer Products for Electronic DNA chips for genetic analysis
Ceramic filters have proven their Fuel cells, which generate electricity Devices Used in the detection of specific genes,
usefulness and reliability in cutting-edge using hydrogen and oxygen, have NGK has created high-performance wafer DNA chips make use of GENESHOT
fields such as the pharmaceutical and garnered a great amount of attention as a products by combining unique spotting technology created as a
chemical sectors. Here at NGK Insulators, source of clean energy. Here at NGK technologies for bonding different piezoelectric microactuator application
we are working to develop a range of Insulators, we are actively involved in materials without a void, crystal layer that can spot thousands of different
nano-ceramic membranes, an even more the development of solid oxide fuel cells formation, and the processing of thin, DNA solutions on glass substrate in
advanced version of ceramic filters, (SOFC). These are the fuel cells that single-crystal substrates. These wafers will amounts accurate to the last picoliter (a
which are able to separate specific have the greatest potential to become the further revolutionize electronic devices, trillionth of a liter). With a high degree
liquids from mixed liquids and specific most efficient next-generation power including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of consistency and no contamination by
gases from gas mixtures. These generation system. Using ceramic lighting and wireless communication impurities, it is possible to produce
next-generation films, in which material technology, we have succeeded network. Based on these products, NGK high-quality DNA chips with a high level
membranes with holes no more than a in virtually eliminating the electrical has already successfully developed of reproducibility. Not surprisingly, this
nanometer (a billionth of a meter) in resistance of the electrolytes to achieve a gallium nitride (GaN) wafers, which offer technology is being eyed as a diagnostic
diameter are created on ceramic base world-best 63% generation efficiency dramatically improved luminous tool for the future of tailor-made medical
material a meter long and 18cm in diameter, level and 90% fuel utilization. efficiency for LED light sources, and care.
constitute an innovative separation *Figures current as of June 2009. Fuel utilization refers bonded wafers for surface acoustic wave
process that has the potential achieve to the percentage of fuel supplied to the SOFC stack that (SAW) filters.
was actually used for the energy-generating reaction.
great savings in terms of energy and cost.
Taking our unrivalled technology NGK CERAMICS SUZHOU NGK TECHNOCERA SUZHOU NGK INSULATORS SUZHOU NGK INSULATORS TANGSHAN
South Korea
Japan
China
NGK CERAMICS POLSKA NGK CERAMICS SOUTH AFRICA SIAM NGK TECHNOCERA
22 CORPORATE PROFILE
http://www.ngk.co.jp/english/
2-56 Suda-cho, Mizuho, Nagoya 467-8530, Japan
Japan
ENERGY SUPPORT CORPORATION / AKECHI INSULATORS, LTD.
America IKEBUKURO HORO KOGYO CO., LTD. / NGK CHEM-TECH, LTD.
NGK FILTECH, LTD. / NGK ADREC CO., LTD.
Canada NGK KILNTECH CORPORATION / HEISEI CERAMICS CO., LTD.
SOSHIN ELECTRIC CO., LTD. / NGK CERAMIC DEVICE CO., LTD.
NGK OKHOTSK, LTD. / NGK METEX CORPORATION
NGK FINE MOLDS, LTD. / TAJIMI COUNTRY CLUB CO., LTD.
USA
NGK SPORTS PLANNING CO., LTD.NjNGK LIFE CO., LTD.
NGK YU-SERVICE CO., LTD. / NGK BUILDING SERVICE, LTD.
NGK LOGISTICS, LTD. / NGK EDUCATION SERVICES, LTD.
Mexico
LOCKE INSULATORS Overseas
America
LOCKE INSULATORS, INC.
NGK-LOCKE, INC.
NGK-LOCKE POLYMER INSULATORS, INC.
NGK INSULATORS, LTD. NGK CERAMICS USA, INC.
NGK AUTOMOTIVE CERAMICS USA, INC.
FM INDUSTRIES, INC.
NGK ELECTRONICS USA, INC.
NGK METALS CORPORATION
NGK-LOCKE POLYMER INSULATORS NGK INSULATORS OF CANADA, LTD.
NGK CERAMICS MEXICO, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.
Europe, Africa
NGK INSULATORS UK LTD.
Australia NGK BERYLCO U.K. LTD.
NGK CERAMICS EUROPE S.A.
NGK EUROPE GMBH
NGK DEUTSCHE BERYLCO GMBH
NGK BERYLCO FRANCE
NGK CERAMICS USA
NGK CERAMICS POLSKA SP. Z O.O.
NGK CERAMICS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY)LTD.
Oceania Asia, Oceania
… Production Bases
NGK INSULATORS TANGSHAN CO., LTD.
… Sales Bases
NGK INSULATORS SUZHOU CO., LTD.
NGK INSULATORS (CHINA) INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
NGK CERAMICS SUZHOU CO., LTD.
NGK TECHNOCERA SUZHOU CO., LTD.
NGK AUTOMOTIVE CERAMICS KOREA CO.,LTD.
P.T. NGK CERAMICS INDONESIA
SIAM NGK TECHNOCERA CO., LTD.
NGK STANGER FM INDUSTRIES NGK CERAMICS MEXICO NGK METALS CORPORATION NGK STANGER PTY. LTD.
Global Network 23
Printed in Japan
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