Contribute to Carbon-Free Society
Realize a sustainable society using natural energy
In FY2025, NTN advanced the social implementation of the Transportable Independent Power Supply “N3 N-CUBE,” which harnesses natural energy, with new applications expanding particularly in the events sector. The “N3 N-CUBE” is a container-type unit characterized by its ability to be freely relocated by truck transport. On-site, it operates on renewable energy generated by solar panels and small wind turbines, enabling the provision of air conditioning and lighting without reliance on external power sources.
These features were recognized when the unit was adopted as an air-conditioned rest facility for athletes and officials at the international cycling road race “THE ROAD RACE TOKYO TAMA 2025.” Despite temperatures exceeding 30°C on the day, the air conditioning system operating on 100% renewable energy provided a comfortable rest space, contributing to heat stroke prevention.
(Related news: NTN’s Transportable Independent Power Supply “N3 N-CUBE” Helps Prevent Heatstroke Providing Cool Air with 100% Renewable Energy|Press Release:2025|News|NTN Global)
Furthermore, the “N3 N-CUBE” has been registered on “WIPO GREEN,” an international environmental technology matchmaking platform, as an off-grid renewable energy system utilizing wind and solar power. This registration is expected to further promote its utilization as an environmental technology.
(Related news: NTN’s Transportable Independent Power Supply “N3 N-CUBE” Registered on WIPO GREEN Platform for Environmental Innovation|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global)
Furthermore, to expand the utilization of renewable energy, NTN concluded its first-ever Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (Virtual PPA) with Cosmo Eco Power Co., Ltd. Under this agreement, NTN will receive environmental value equivalent to approximately 10 million kWh generated annually at the “Chuki Wind Farm” in Wakayama Prefecture over a period of 16 years, resulting in an expected reduction of approximately 4,200 tons of CO2 emissions per year (equivalent to the emissions of approximately 1,700 households).
NTN supplies bearings for wind turbines and the Condition Monitoring System “Wind DoctorTM” to the wind farm. This collaboration contributes both to the stable operation of renewable energy and to NTN’s decarbonization management.
(Related news: NTN Signs a First Virtual PPA with Cosmo eco Power|Press Release:2025|News|NTN Global)
Going forward, NTN will continue to focus on creating social value through the utilization of natural energy, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through the further utilization of the “N3 N-CUBE” and the strengthening of renewable energy procurement.
Reduce energy loss
Strengthening bearing lifecycle management
In the industrial machinery sector, lifecycle management—which oversees the entire process from selection through operation to maintenance, not just improving bearing performance—is of growing importance in order to achieve both stable equipment operation and energy savings. In particular, appropriate maintenance decisions based on equipment condition monitoring are required from the perspective of curbing economic losses caused by unexpected equipment shutdowns. NTN contributes to reducing energy loss across entire equipment systems by strengthening bearing lifecycle management that combines our long-accumulated expertise in bearings with our services.
In 2025, NTN launched sales of the bearing diagnostic edge application “Bearing Inspector.” This application is software that collects and analyzes data acquired from vibration sensors installed near bearings in real time, enabling simple and rapid diagnosis of bearing condition. A key feature is that it requires no configuration of bearing model numbers or detailed operating conditions and is compatible with bearings from manufacturers other than NTN, enabling maintenance decisions that do not rely on expert personnel. By identifying early signs of abnormalities and linking them to the avoidance of unexpected shutdowns and planned maintenance, it contributes to curbing wasteful energy consumption.
(Related news: Launch of Bearing Diagnostic Edge Application “Bearing Inspector”)
(Related site: Taking on the Uncharted Territory of “Software Development” for Bearing Diagnostics)
Furthermore, NTN provides analysis services aimed at optimizing maintenance planning and replacement cycles. Based on expertise in materials, heat treatment, and lubrication cultivated over many years by our research division, these services analyze the condition of bearings and lubricants, encompassing bearing damage cause analysis, grease degradation surveys, and remaining service life prediction. This curbs excessive bearing replacement and unexpected equipment shutdowns, extending bearing service life and improving equipment operating rates.
(Related site: Bearing Service & Solutions: NTN’s Analysis Services)
Going forward, NTN will strengthen support for customers through the expansion of analysis service capabilities and further advance optimization across the entire bearing lifecycle. NTN will continue to contribute to reducing environmental impact through the reduction of energy loss in the industrial machinery sector and the realization of a sustainable society.
EV/Electrification response
The energy efficiency of automobiles is improving through electrification, and particularly in EVs, extending driving range and improving energy consumption efficiency have become key sources of competitiveness, making the reduction of energy loss in drivetrain and rotating components an important technical challenge. Based on the rotation and friction control technologies we have cultivated over many years, NTN contributes to improving energy efficiency through products and technologies for EVs. In the fields of driveshafts, hub bearings, and bearings—the key components of EVs—we have set numerical targets for reducing friction loss and torque loss rate and have been advancing product and technology development. These initiatives contribute to improving energy efficiency through quantifiable effects such as improved EV energy consumption efficiency and extended driving range.
The Highly Efficient Fixed Constant Velocity Joint “CFJ” suppresses internal friction through its unique cross groove structure, reducing the torque loss rate by 50% or more compared to conventional products. It can maintain high transmission efficiency even in EVs where operating angles tend to be larger. By replacing conventional constant velocity joints, it contributes to reducing energy loss in the drivetrain.
(Related site: THE CHALLENGE: Bringing a High-Efficiency Constant Velocity Joint Required for the EV Era to the World)
For the High Performance Ball Type Sliding CVJ for EVs, we applied a newly developed grease alongside optimization of the internal structure through analysis. This achieves a 25% reduction in the torque loss rate compared to conventional products, realizing suppression of heat generation during driving and improved efficiency. It enables smooth torque transmission that leverages motor responsiveness, contributing to improved energy consumption performance and quietness of EVs.
(Related News: NTN Develops High Performance Ball Type Sliding CVJ for EVs|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global)
In the hub bearing field, we have worked on reducing friction in bearing internals and seal sections in the Low Friction Hub Bearing series. The latest specification achieves up to a 64% reduction in friction compared to conventional products, improving EV energy consumption efficiency by approximately 0.75% and contributing to vehicle energy savings.
(Related site: THE CHALLENGE: The “Low Friction Hub Bearing” Series — Pursuing the Ultimate in Low-Friction Hub Bearings)
In response to electrolytic corrosion, a challenge unique to EVs, NTN has developed and is commercializing Resin Mold Insulated Bearings with insulation ensuring a withstand voltage of 1,000V or more. These products are compatible with anticipated 800V-class high-voltage EVs and suppress bearing damage caused by electrical current passage. Through extending bearing service life and stabilizing performance, they contribute to vehicle electrification.
(Related News: NTN Starts Mass-Production of “Resin Mold Insulated Bearing” for e-Axle|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global)
Furthermore, through the advancement of bearing torque calculation methods, we have improved torque calculation accuracy under high-speed rotation conditions by up to 50% compared to conventional methods. This enables more detailed calculation of torque generation factors and contributes to reducing internal calculation man-hours, leading to improved speed of proposals to customers.
(Related news: Contributing to Further Energy Efficiency of Automobiles! NTN Develops High-Accuracy Bearing Torque Calculation Method|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global )
Going forward, NTN will regard the advancement of EV/electrification as a medium-to-long-term growth opportunity and continue product development centered on low-friction and low-torque technologies. In the drivetrain and rotating components fields, we will advance the sophistication of technologies that achieve both high efficiency and reliability to meet expanding EV-oriented demand, while anticipating the evolution of electric drive units and changes in usage environments to expand our lineup of high-value-added products. Through these initiatives, we aim to strengthen our competitiveness in the EV market and contribute to the sustainable enhancement of corporate value and to a carbon-free society.
Increase efficiency of manufacturing equipment
NTN is advancing the development of automation technologies and high-value-added products to achieve energy savings and increased efficiency at manufacturing sites.
The picking feeder “ROBOCLE” achieves automated picking that combines space efficiency and high speed, handling a variety of workpieces without requiring specialized knowledge. By combining the newly developed picking actuator with the existing “TRINITTE,” installation space has been reduced by approximately 25%, enabling fast and smooth picking. It contributes to labor savings and increased efficiency on production lines by reducing the burden of handling multiple product types.
(Related News: NTS Develops Picking Feeder “ROBOCLE”|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global)
The inline high-speed visual inspection unit for die-cast products utilizing the “i-WRIST™” Wrist Joint Module offers two types: a large type suited for large die-cast products that excels at fine posture changes and precise positioning, and a compact type for small die-cast products that achieves a fastest imaging time of approximately 0.2 seconds, enabling high-precision and rapid inspection of complex-shaped components. This eliminates bottlenecks in the inspection process and contributes to improved efficiency across the entire production line. As the challenge of technical knowledge transfer due to a declining working-age population becomes more serious, it is valued as a solution that simultaneously achieves quality stabilization through automation and space efficiency.
(Related News: Expansion of “i-WRIST™” Wrist Joint Module into Die-Cast Product Visual Inspection Applications — Start of Development and Proposals for Inline High-Speed Inspection Units )
Furthermore, NTN has commenced mass production of “Low Dust Generation Bearing for Servo Motors” as a component technology supporting energy savings and stable operation of industrial robots and machine tools. These bearings, which employ low dust generation grease and a newly designed seal with improved sealing performance, reduce dust generation from the bearings by approximately 90%, suppressing the adhesion of dust to rotation detectors and brakes of servo motors and thereby contributing to improved rotation detection accuracy and braking control reliability of the equipment. At the same time, through improvements to the seal shape, a reduction in torque of approximately 50% compared to conventional products has also been achieved while maintaining sealing performance.
(Related News: NTN Starts Mass-production of “Low Dust Generation Bearing for Servo Motors”|New Products:2025|Product and Technology|NTN Global)
Through these technological developments, NTN will work to reduce energy loss and maximize equipment efficiency at production sites, contributing to the realization of sustainable manufacturing.
Development of Environment-contributing Products
“We shall contribute to international society through creating new technologies and developing new products.” Under this corporate philosophy, we are committed to environmentally friendly manufacturing. We are especially focused on developing technologies that help to prevent global warming.
The components we manufacture, such as bearings and driveshafts, contribute to reducing environmental impact by improving the energy efficiency of vehicles and machinery. We refer to all of these as “environment-contributing products.” Among them are products that are already widely used, as well as new products that achieve even better environmental performance as a result of our technologies.
NTN is also developing products that utilize renewable energy such as solar and wind power, helping to reduce CO2 emissions.
We quantify the degree to which such products contribute to the environment using our own standards. NTN will continue its pursuit of its corporate philosophy by developing and supplying products that make an even greater contribution to the environment.
Evaluation of environment-contributing products
NTN compares and evaluates the environmental performance of current products using the performance levels of 1997 as a baseline. Environment-contributing products are classified into five grades from “S-eco” to “D-eco” according to their degree of environmental contribution, based on standards established for each product.
■Classification and grades of NTN products and their definition
■Calculation Methods for Environmental Factors and Eco-Efficiency
Achievements
In FY2025, our flagship products, driveshafts and hub bearings, together with our green energy products, contributed to reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 1.876 million tons. This demonstrates the tangible contribution of our environment-contributing product development.
In FY2025, environment-contributing products in the S-eco to B-eco grades accounted for approximately 55.9% of total sales.
■Trends in net sales
■Trends in the Composition of Environment-contributing Products by Grade (Driveshafts, hub bearings, etc.)
■Contribution to CO2 reduction*
Calculation standard: Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Calculation Guidelines (Consumer Use-Phase LCI Calculation Tool) *Applicable to S to C-eco products