HORIBA and the SDGs

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all — laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of “Agenda 2030” are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which clearly define the world we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

*Quoted from the Global Compact Network website

HORIBA confronted various social issues and contributes to the achievement of the SDGs through creation of social value.

In August 2018, we concluded an agreement with the University of California, Irvine (UCI) in the United States to support the establishment of the HORIBA Institute for Mobility and Connectivity in connection with the University’s Advanced Power and Energy Program. With this agreement, we will strengthen the collaborative academic and industrial relationship we have with UCI, which is viewed as a highly trustworthy organization by U.S. regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Through this institute, we will integrate the fields of energy and mobility, which have previously been treated as separate domains, promote research aimed at resolving a variety of environmental issues and work to create businesses that will contribute to the entire energy industry.

Three research subjects investigated by the HORIBA Institute for Mobility and Connectivity

1. To develop vehicles, fuel supply chains, and mobility systems that emit no pollutants
2. System construction to connect zero-emission vehicles with a next-generation electric grid that incorporates renewable energies at a much higher level than exists today
3. To invent the next-generation of conveyances that can sense their surroundings and communicate with the traffic and energy infrastructure

Each emerging countries has environmental regulations that are adjusted to its own unique factors, including its regional characteristics and industrial foundations, and these environmental regulations are being strengthened in accordance with rapid economic development. By locally enhancing its engineering strength, HORIBA is working to meet the individual needs of each country in which it operates and propose products and solutions that comply with the unique regulations adopted in each of these countries. Furthermore, we provide technical guidance for environmental researchers and experts in emerging countries. Therefore, we offer support in terms of software, in addition to assistance with measurement instruments. Moving forward, HORIBA will pursue business expansion with a high level of relevance to local customers while contributing to environmental conservation.

HORIBA analyzed a large volume of test data accumulated over the years and added a decision algorithm for detecting malaria infection to its hematology analyzers. This addition made screenings for infection possible during the usual hematology analysis process, enabling the reduction of working hours spent testing. According to the 2016 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million people in 91 countries have been infected with malaria. Early diagnosis of malaria leads to early treatment, preventing further transmission through infection and warding off increases in severity. HORIBA will pursue business growth while contributing to the early detection of infectious diseases.

We established the HORIBA Reno Technology Center, a base for development, in Reno, Nevada, which is easily accessible from the western coast of the United States, an area that is dotted with the bases of many semiconductor and semiconductor production equipment manufacturers. Ever since establishing a sales base concentrating on mass flow controllers in Silicon Valley in 1989, we have continued to conduct activities that are highly relevant to the local customers in the area. In the future, we will strengthen our development capabilities by quickly incorporating the needs of the market and contribute to further growth in the semiconductor industry.

Professor Gérard Mourou, the 2018 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, has used HORIBA France’s Gratings in his research concerning the improvement of laser performance for many years, producing considerable achievements. In commemoration of his award, Professor Mourou selected grating from HORIBA France that he actually used in his research for display in the Nobel Prize Museum. Moving forward, HORIBA will support researchers across the globe in order to contribute to the future development and advancement of science.

As one of its SDGs Business Supporting Surveys, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has selected HORIBA’s business project which will introduce Air Quality Monitoring Systems in Morocco. Due to air pollution caused by the increase of industrial activities, a national air quality plan has been launched by the Moroccan government.
Therefore, in this project we aim to strengthen monitoring systems by providing products and knowledge for establishing regulations/standards throughout Morocco.
By using our experience that has contributed to strengthening environmental regulations in Japan, Europe, United States, Southeast Asia etc., we will contribute to improving aerial environment in Morocco with our technology.

• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)

HORIBA's non-contact infrared thermometer has been registered on the Sustainable Technology Promotion Platform (STePP^*1) of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) Tokyo, which is designed to share information on prominent Japanese technologies that contribute to sustainable industrialization in developing and emerging countries.
Incorporating HORIBA's in-house sensor technology, the IT series measure temperature with industry-leading accuracy^*2, and are available in portable handheld types and built-in types. In developing countries, they may be used for quality control in food processing, abnormal temperature check of electrical equipment, etc. As they can measure objects from a distant place accurately and efficiently, the IT series will contribute to achieving SDGs and industrial development.

• Link of the webpage

*1:STePP
*2:As of 2019