Contribute to society through creation of original technologies

In the industrial sector, attention is focused on low-torque products that contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions and serve as a responsive measure for climate change. In the automotive field, for hub bearings, for which we enjoy the largest market share, "Low Friction Hub Bearing III" which reduces friction by 60% compared to our conventional products through developing a new low-torque grease and optimizing seals geometry and internal preload has been launched to market. "Ultra-low Friction Sealed Ball Bearing" for transmissions which reduces friction by 80% compared to our conventional products is also being mass produced. In addition, for sliding constant velocity joints, "Small and Lightweight CVJ for Rear of Sub-axle" which reduces weight by 29% compared to our conventional products through a review of the max operating angle and optimized designs has been developed, thereby moving forward with miniaturization and weight reduction.
In the industrial machinery field, we are mass-producing "Low Dust Generation Bearing for Servo Motors" for robot joints, which have 50% less friction than our conventional products.
We will contribute to saving energy in the entire industry by further promoting higher efficiency, miniaturization and weight reduction of these products.

■Reducing friction of hub bearings

In addition to land wind turbines, we expect to see progress in offshore turbines in the future. In order to meet the needs for stable operation of wind turbines, we are developing "Asymmetrical Spherical Roller Bearings" for large wind turbine main shafts to improve their service life under actual load conditions. In addition, DLC (diamond like carbon) film, which is excellent in wear resistance even under differential slip unique to spherical roller bearings, has been treated on roller surfaces. This has enhanced the reliability of the bearings.
Meanwhile, with the aim of improving wind turbine utilization rates, we are developing a condition monitoring system (CMS) business using the monitoring device "Wind Doctor^TM" that observes bearing vibration, temperature and other factors. Such system offered by us is being used by wind power generation companies. In the future, the life expectancy forecast technology will be developed using AI algorithms to help ensure planned maintenance of bearings and prevent damage.
In addition, we have developed the "Green Power Station (GPS)," an independent power supply unit equipped with a compact wind turbine, which has been adopted by local governments as an emergency power source in the event of an accident. We will contribute to the realization of being carbon neutrality by expanding sales of GPS.

In the automotive field, attention is focused on electrified products that are compatible with CASE. We have developed the world's first high-performance module products for next-generation automobiles, such as "eHUB" which combines a hub bearing with a motor generator, and "sHUB" which combines hub bearing's mechanical design, manufacturing technology, and motor control technology and integrates a mechanism that adjusts the steering angle of the tires into a hub bearing. In addition, to improve vehicle driving performance and improve safety when avoiding hazards, we have developed the "Ra-sHUB" which allows the steering angle on the rear wheels of automobiles to be controlled separately for each of the left and right sides. "Ra-sHUB" mounts on the rear wheels of the front-wheel-drive (FF) vehicle and controls the optimal angular position for each of the left and right wheels based on the steering angle at which the steering wheel is turned and the vehicle speed. These products are rated highly by automotive manufacturers for their expected contribution to automated driving in the future.
We will create new product value and provide customers with safe and comfortable products by developing module products that combine core products with general-purpose components such as motors.

NTN develops business activities based on our corporate philosophy "We shall contribute to international society through creating new technologies and developing new products," and Paragraph 1 of the NTN Environment Policy "Technologies to help prevent global warming.
"As bearings and driveshafts, which are main products of NTN, contribute to the reduction of energy loss in final goods of our customers equipped with them, all of these products can be considered as environmentally friendly products. They include products which are already commonly used in society because of the achievement of predecessors, as well as those with environmental contributions further enhanced by NTN’s engineering and development capabilities.
In addition, green energy products are environment-contributing products that contribute to reduction of CO₂ emissions by creating renewable energy.
NTN continues unwavering efforts to realize its corporate philosophy by developing and providing higher-grade products that contribute to the environment while classifying the products according to environmental contribution levels based on our standards.

Definition of environment-contributing product

Classification and grades of NTN products and their definition

Calculation methods for environmental factors and eco-efficiency

Trend in achievements and forecasts

Driveshafts and hub bearings, which are our main products and account for about 50% of our net sales, and green energy products contributed 1,323 thousand tons of CO₂ reduction in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. Sales of S- to B-eco grade environmentally friendly products, which are the result of our recent development efforts, comprised 51.6% of net sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

■Trend in net sales^＊４

■Trend in composition of environment-contributing products by grade
　(driveshafts and hub bearings)

■Contribution to CO₂ reduction^＊5