group synergy

End-to-End Development of Precision Plastic Products: ESTOH (Part 2)

Approximately 90% of ESTOH Co., Ltd.'s (Headquarters: Ikuno-ku, Osaka, President: Kenji Nakamura) products are plastic gaskets for automotive lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). One of the company's key goals is to expand its market share in this field by leveraging NOK's marketing strengths to stay aligned with ever-evolving customer needs. At the same time, ESTOH is focused on expanding into new sectors by making full use of its vertically integrated production capabilities for precision plastic components.

Driving Reliability with Lubricants: NOK Klüber

The NOK Group holds the largest domestic market share in oil seals and O-rings, and our products contribute to the stable operation of a diverse range of machines. These include automotive engines, powertrains, hydraulic equipment in construction machinery, and multifunction printers. Beyond our seal technologies, such as those used in oil seals and O-rings, the Group also ensures stable operation by reducing wear on moving parts in machinery through lubricants. NOK Klüber, based in Minato, Tokyo, takes on this essential role.

Differentiation Through Group Strength: Acrylic Polymers as Core Materials

NOK's seal products — including its flagship oil seals — primarily use synthetic rubber, which is a common material in automotive components because of its essential oil and heat resistance. The main element of acrylic rubber is acrylic polymer, which is essential to determining the performance of oil seals and other similar products. Unimatec, a member of the NOK Group based in Minato, Tokyo (led by President Hiroaki Kikuchi), specializes in developing and producing acrylic polymers. As the automotive industry's business environment evolves, Unimatec leverages the Group's strengths to meet diverse needs.

Leveraging Group Strengths to Develop FPC-Based Cell Separation Devices

NOK is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2041. As part of its long-term initiatives, the company has identified wellness-related fields — including life sciences and healthcare — s priority areas for innovation. Within this focus, NOK is striving to commercialize cell separation technology using flexible printed circuits (FPC) — a product line that exemplifies the synergy created through the specialized expertise of its Group companies. FPC are the flagship products of Mektec, a NOK Group company engaged in the manufacture and sales of electronic products. Headquartered in Tokyo's Minato Ward, and known globally as a leading player in the FPC market, Mektec is now advancing research and development to harness the unique advantages FPC bring for cell separation devices.