January 5, 2021
Asahi Kasei Corp.

Asahi Kasei opened CoCo-CAFE, a digital laboratory for accelerating digital transformation (DX) through internal and external connections, on January 5, 2021, in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

Asahi Kasei recognizes the importance of creating new value through internal and external connections in order to accelerate DX. By bringing together digital personnel from marketing, R&D, and manufacturing technology functions, CoCo-CAFE will promote internal and external exchanges for enhancement of DX platforms and creation of new businesses. In particular, CoCo-CAFE will serve as a venue for the following activities:

Challenges for new business creation and co-creation

CoCo-CAFE allows our digital professional personnel and business leaders to join together to tackle challenges of new business creation. It also enables co-creation with various outside partners from industry, academia, and government bodies.

High-level utilization, verification, and experience of digital technology

By providing a digital twin environment with high-level integration of cyberspace and physical space, new business styles utilizing digital technology will be developed and verified, including remote support for plant operations in distant countries. Furthermore, actual experience using various demonstration devices utilizing digital technology will enable the creation of ideas for new value.

DX training for general employees

Advancement of DX requires not only nurturing digital professional personnel but also providing DX training to employees in general. Through “DX Internship” for employees from around the Asahi Kasei Group, we will systematically nurture and expand employees well-versed in matters associated with DX.

CoCo-CAFE： Communication & Concentration–Creative, Agile, Flexible, and Evolving

The Asahi Kasei Group operates business in the three sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. We believe that opportunities to provide new value by utilizing digital technology are expanding in various stages of the value chain based on data arising from our diverse business fields, technologies, and human resources. There are a wide range of ways to utilize DX in the Asahi Kasei Group such as in R&D, manufacturing, quality control, equipment maintenance, marketing, business strategy, and new business creation. While nurturing digital professionals, providing the venue and atmosphere for promoting DX, and raising employees’ awareness of DX, we are raising the level of DX with a two-pronged approach of enhancing the DX platform and heightening and reforming businesses.

To further accelerate DX in 2021, we are planning actions in two areas.

Establishing new group-wide DX organization

To accelerate DX across the Asahi Kasei Group leveraging diverse businesses, technologies, and human resources, we are advancing preparations to establish a new organization for the creation of new value through group-wide activities such as internal and external connections.

Formulating DX Vision

To accelerate business transformation by utilizing DX in the Asahi Kasei Group, we are advancing the formulation of a DX Vision looking ahead to 2030.

The above two actions will be publicized at an appropriate time.

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