News
UBE x Tohoku University Establish the Co-creation Research Institute for Future Driven Technologies
2026/01/14 News ReleaseUBE Corporation (President: Yuki Nishida; Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "UBE") and Tohoku University (President: Teiji Tominaga; Sendai-shi, Miyagi; hereinafter "Tohoku University") have established the "UBE x Tohoku University Co-creation Research Institute for Future Driven Technologies "*¹ (hereinafter "Co-creation Research Center") within the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University and commenced operations on January 1, 2026.
UBE has established a management policy to further strengthen its corporate R&D to create new specialty businesses. The establishment of the Co-creation Research Center, a measure to further promote collaboration with universities, is part of this management policy. By combining Tohoku University's world-class research capabilities and extensive track record in industry-academia collaboration with UBE's advanced technical capabilities cultivated in the field of specialty chemicals, we aim to create and socially implement innovative materials and technologies to address challenges in the life sciences, environment and energy, and electronics fields, where social demand is particularly high. Furthermore, by fully leveraging the knowledge and experience of both Tohoku University and UBE, we will actively engage in the development of human resources who will lead the next generation.
UBE's mission for R&D is to "create next-generation core competencies that will drive UBE's future," and it is advancing strategic R&D. Through open innovation in collaboration with universities and startups, we aim to create next-generation core technologies and respond to future needs, thereby generating new value in the field of specialty chemicals. By leveraging the Co-creation Research Center, we will explore and advance new R&D themes in the life sciences, environment and energy, and electronics fields.
Tohoku University: Mr. Tohyama, Executive Vice President for Industry-University Collaboration; Professor; Dr. Fukuyama, Director of IMRAM; Professor Tomai
Overview of the Co-creation Research Center
| Name | UBE x Tohoku University Co-creation Research Institute for Future Driven Technologies |
|---|---|
| Activities |
(1) Exploring new R&D themes in the life sciences, environment and energy, and electronics fields by fully leveraging Tohoku University's resources (2) Promoting the development of young talent through the activities of the Co-creation Research Center |
| Management Structure |
(1) Operation Manager: Mr. Shuusei Ohya, Specially Appointed Professor (Future Tech Laboratory, UBE) (2) Operation Support Manager: Dr. Takaaki Tomai, Professor (IMRAM, Tohoku University) |
| Location | Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University |
| Period of Establishment | January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2028 |
- Co-creation Research Center: A scheme established by Tohoku University in April 2021. By using this scheme, it is possible to fully leverage Tohoku University's resources and engage in a wide range of co-creation activities, leading to the creation of new value through interdisciplinary collaboration and the resolution of social issues. As of the end of December 2025, a total of 46 centers have been established.
Contact
Public Relations Group, Corporate Communication Department, UBE Corporation
Tel: +81-3-5419-6110; E-mail: contact_pr@ube.com
Tohoku University
Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Division, Head Office of Enterprise Partnerships
Tel: +81-22-217-6418; Email: sangaku-suishin@grp.tohoku.ac.jp
Information Branch, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials
Tel: +81-22-217-5198