Product
NGK Decides to Build the 2nd Engine Laboratory Enhance development and evaluation of automotive exhaust purifying products, and contribute to global environmental conservation
August 07, 2019
NGK INSULATORS, LTD. (President Taku Oshima; Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan; “NGK”) today announced that it has decided to build the 2nd Engine Laboratory for ceramic products for purifying automotive exhausts at its Komaki Site (Komaki, Aichi Prefecture). This laboratory aims to enhance the development and evaluation of next-generation products corresponding to stricter and extended regulations on automotive fuel and exhaust gas, for further ceramics business expansion and contributing to environmental conservation and energy saving.
NGK currently conducts evaluation and validation of ceramic products for purifying automotive exhausts at the existing Engine Laboratory at its Nagoya Site (Mizuho-ku, Nagoya). NGK has decided to build the new Engine Laboratory at its Komaki Site to enhance development and evaluation capabilities for supplying next-generation products in a timely manner to correspond to increasingly stricter automotive environmental regulations in all countries around the world. The 2nd Engine Laboratory will be equipped with engines and exhaust measuring apparatuses for development and evaluation of next-generation products, mainly Electrically Heated Catalysts (EHC). NGK will invest approximately 6 billion yen and plans to start operations in December, 2020.
The 2nd Engine Laboratory has been selected to receive subsidies from both Aichi prefecture and the city of Komaki.
The global automotive market continues to grow due to the increase in demand in emerging countries, and the market for internal combustion engine vehicles in the period from 2025-2030 is expected to exceed current levels and reach a scale of 100 million vehicles per year, including hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). From an environmental conservation standpoint, the HEVs and PHEVs expected to become increasingly common have outstanding fuel performance, however, reduction of harmful gases emitted immediately after an engine starts is required. NGK is focusing on developing EHC as a next-generation product to reduce harmful gases by pre-heating a catalyst using the source of electricity of the HEVs and PHEVs. The 2nd Engine Laboratory will accelerate EHC development with the aim of starting small-scale production from 2023.
NGK currently produces ceramic for purifying automotive exhaust at 11 production sites in 9 countries around the world (a 12th production site is scheduled to start operations in December, 2019). According to NGK's shipment records, its products have been installed in around one in every two automobiles and trucks worldwide. This indicates that NGK is making a positive contribution to global environmental conservation. NGK will continue working on development and practical application of products that clear increasingly stricter automotive environmental regulations in all countries around the world to contribute to global environmental conservation and energy saving.
< Overview of the 2nd Engine Laboratory >
Address:
1155, Tagami, Futaebori, Komaki, Aichi 485-8566
(Located inside Komaki Site)
Building area:
Approximately 2,000 m2
Floor space:
Approximately 4,000 m2
Applications:
Develop and evaluate next-generation products corresponding to stricter and extended regulations on automotive fuel and exhaust gas
Investment amount:
Approximately 6 billion yen
Start operations:
December, 2020
