xEV

End-to-End Development of Precision Plastic Products: ESTOH (Part 1)

ESTOH Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ikuno-ku, Osaka, President: Kenji Nakamura), which joined the NOK Group in 2023, has built a strong track record in the production of plastic gaskets used in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) for electric vehicles (EVs). It handles every step from mold design through to final production. ESTOH’s core strengths include designing and machining ultra-precise molds at the micrometer scale (one-millionth of a meter), advanced injection molding using those molds, and 100% visual inspection for quality control. Now part of the NOK Group, ESTOH is looking to tap into the Group’s R&D and marketing capabilities to unlock even greater 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.

NOK Adapts to Automotive Industry Changes with New Technologies

NOK's goal is to achieve consolidated sales of one trillion yen by FY2031, coinciding with its 90th anniversary. The automotive industry is undergoing a once-in-a-century transformation, and as a key supplier to the sector, NOK is evolving to handle these changes.
On May 22, 2024, at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2024 held at Pacifico Yokohama, NOK showcased cutting-edge products and technologies to address critical societal challenges, including electrification and carbon neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions). Earlier in April, the company introduced a unified corporate identity (CI) for its 92 Group companies worldwide, underscoring its commitment to innovation and collaboration. The exhibition featured standout technologies and products that reflect the Group's combined expertise.

Expanding FPC Applications: Opportunities in Vehicle Electrification

Flexible printed circuits (FPC) are thin and flexible circuit boards that enable the miniaturization of electronic devices and improve component mounting capabilities. Mektec, based in Minato City, Tokyo, and led by President Taro Ito, is part of the NOK Group and plays a key role in its electronic products business. Mektec holds the third-largest global market share in FPC sales. Since it began operations in 1969, Mektec has pioneered the domestic FPC market, leading its growth and development.

Leveraging Material and Design Expertise to Ensure Safety and Reliability in Electric Vehicles

The advent of electric vehicles (xEVs) presents many new challenges, including thermal management and electromagnetic noise. Drawing on its expertise in material formulation and shape design gained while developing seal products, NOK offers a lineup of high-performance products tailored for electric vehicles, including a wide range of components and products to meet customer expectations. Senior Planner Junichi Watanabe and Masahiro Tanioka, manager of the NOK Group R&D Mobility Products Planning Department, shared insights into NOK’s offerings for electric vehicles.

Providing the Right Products for Advanced Technologies: NOK's Response to Automotive Electrification

NOK's largest customer, the automotive industry, is experiencing what is often called a once-in-a-century transformation. The spread of advanced technologies such as CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) and the global imperative to achieve carbon neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) are demanding significant adaptive measures from the automotive sector. To keep pace with these rapid changes and ensure its survival, NOK must focus on developing products tailored to these themes.

Using Trial and Error to Find the Perfect Blend: Oil Seals and Material Design Technology

Oil seals are one of NOK's core products. Of NOK's consolidated sales of 682.5 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2022, the sealing business — including oil seals — accounted for approximately 336.2 billion yen, or nearly 50%. NOK produces 60,000 types of oil seals globally, manufacturing 1.83 billion units annually. Despite their seemingly simple ring-like design, oil seals combine rubber material, metal rings, and springs to prevent oil and water leakage, achieve low friction, and ensure durability. They are essential mechanical products for all types of machinery, and one of the supporting technologies is material design.