Interview | Are corporate environmental measures just a waste of money? See how Murata creates an SDGs model through its MLCC business!

The interview includes:

1. Advantages of Murata MLCC

2. A long history of reducing environmental impact based on the principle of being light, thin and short

3. Accelerate activities through 11 key issues and SDGs

4. Accumulating examples in MLCC and spreading SDGs to all Murata

5. We create an environment where you can feel the meaning and value of work at MLCC

Interviewees: Aoki, Product Technology Department; Miyoshi, Material Technology Development Department; Sanada, Business Reform Promotion Department

Founded in 1944, Murata has been committed to the business philosophy of contributing to the development of culture and has continued to put this into practice, supporting people's rich and happy lives.

Since Murata first started mass production of barium titanate ceramic capacitors in Japan in 1949, with the popularization of radios in the 1940s, televisions in the 1950s and 1960s, audio and video equipment in the 1970s and 1980s, and computers and mobile phones in the 1990s, MLCC has truly developed and evolved together with society and culture, and a wide variety of products have been continuously developed and manufactured.

Aoki : In the more than half-century history of MLCC, the high performance of smartphones in the 2000s brought a huge impact to it. This is because the number of capacitors used in devices has increased dramatically. In recent years, the advent of the 5G and 6G eras, as well as technological advances represented by electric vehicles and autonomous driving, have also allowed the demand for MLCC to grow smoothly.

We have made the following analysis of the advantages of Murata MLCC.

Aoki : I think one of the reasons is Murata's history of growth, accumulated superior technology, and the corporate image of "Think of Murata when you think of capacitors." Products such as automotive MLCCs are related to human life, so absolute trust and peace of mind are extremely important. And because my job is to introduce MLCC specifications to customers, I think one of the reasons is Murata's ability to listen to changes in customer needs one by one, predict new needs, and develop products.

Miyoshi : Excellent electronic devices come from excellent electronic components, and excellent electronic components come from excellent materials. This concept has been passed down from generation to generation in Murata. Based on this, from the perspective of material development, I think that the fact that we develop materials for manufacturing MLCCs from scratch is also Murata's advantage. It is precisely because we also have our own production equipment that we can improve operating efficiency and production technology quickly and on a daily basis. Murata has maintained its advantage over its competitors by relying on these cost-reduction measures.

In response to the change in demand represented by the high performance of smartphones, Murata developed a 0.25×0.125mm MLCC in 2012. Now it has been reduced to a level that is invisible to the naked eye. This embodies Murata's core competitiveness of "light, thin, short and small" introduced in "Creating Murata's Value through SDGs".

Aoki : The history of MLCC, which has been pursuing miniaturization, convenience, and providing products for various markets, can also be said to be a history of challenging the trend of being thin, light, and short. We are also confident that we have been the industry pioneer and have promoted the development of miniaturization.

Sanada : I am responsible for coordinating on-site improvement work centered on the environment and sustainable development, and seeking cooperation with other business units. As words such as SDGs and ESG gradually permeate society and corporate activities, MLCC, which has accumulated a history of being thin and short since its birth, began to reduce environmental load decades ago. Miniaturization will reduce the use of resources, and a new packaging method such as mounting has been proposed for packaging materials. Various activities are also being carried out to reduce the use and waste of packaging materials and save transportation energy.

MLCC has been taking the lead in reducing environmental impacts since before environmental issues came into the spotlight. What are some more specific examples, including those currently underway?

In addition to various environmental measures, Murata is also promoting "Decent Work" advocated by SDGs in MLCC.

Miyoshi : Employees exchange opinions on the value and meaning of work and write them into the blueprint and mission. "Diversity and inclusion" activities that respect individual recognition regardless of gender or age are also gradually infiltrating. In addition, as an important measure to help achieve good working conditions, Murata is promoting the creation of a safe and secure working environment and healthy management.

Sanada : Just over a decade ago, some people thought that corporate environmental measures were just a waste of money and had no benefits . But that is not the case. For example, energy conservation alone can help improve production efficiency and reduce costs. Activities such as rationalization and quality improvement are also closely related to environmental measures. I hope that by gradually instilling this concept within the company, I can contribute to changing awareness and increasing motivation.

Aoki : Because I am in a position that directly faces customers, I feel the value and meaning of my work when I can help customers use new products more and solve their problems. In addition, because I can see how customers use the products from this position, it is also my responsibility to feedback customers' voices and feelings to on-site employees to increase their enthusiasm and promote the creation of new value. I hope to contribute more to the development of society and culture than ever before through these. As the times change, the understanding of the phrase "cultural development" in the company's management philosophy has also changed from "material" enrichment to "ideological" enrichment, so I will continue to think seriously about the value and meaning of my work and good working conditions.

MLCC's various initiatives can also be called the origin of Murata's SDGs . Behind these initiatives is the contribution to society and culture, and the deep penetration of the concept of "Innovator in Electronics".

This article introduces the SDGs of MLCC. From this, we can see how important it is for employees to move in the same direction and hold the same goals when promoting SDGs at the field level.