Overview

Wood has great potential for both the sustainability of the global environment and the development of our society and economy. Constant technical development is essential to tap into this potential of wood and heighten its value. The Tsukuba Research Institute has been fulfilling the role of realizing this potential of wood by supporting the foundation of the Sumitomo Forestry Group with leading-edge research and technical development capabilities related to wood since its establishment in 1991.

Research and Development System and Fields

The Tsukuba Research Institute is composed of seven groups and is engaged in research and development activities centered around two pillars, namely, "corporate research and development" aimed at creating business opportunities and promoting value creation and "divisional research and development" based on divisional strategies. We believe that taking a medium- to long-term perspective breaking from existing ideas is vital as society and the lifestyle environment changes at a bewildering rate. By finding unconventional ways to use wood and by enhancing the added value therein to build a sustainable supply chain, the Sumitomo Forestry Group strives together as one team under new research and development themes with the goal of not only supporting society and people's lives but also contributing to a prosperous global environment.

Tsukuba Research Institute's Research and Development System and Fields

Research Results Benefiting People and Society

In 2018, the Sumitomo Forestry Group announced the "W350 Plan," a research and technology development concept that aims to realize a "Timberized Eco City" by 2041, the 350th anniversary of its founding, by transforming a city into a forest with a wooden high-rise building as the symbol of the city and through the woodification of the surrounding buildings and everything else. Then, in February 2022, Sumitomo Forestry announced its long-term vision, "Mission TREEING 2030," which aims to promote decarbonization and realize a circular bioeconomy by conducting upstream to downstream business activities centered on "trees.” The Tsukuba Research Institute contributes to the realization of the Sumitomo Forestry Group's goals by applying the various knowledge and technologies gained through its research activities to Sumitomo Forestry's business, and by sharing them with people and society.