Yoshinori Hirai0:04
Hello, I'm Yoshinori Hirai, CEO of AGC. It's a pleasure to be a part of CES, one of the world's largest events showcasing future innovations. We are here to connect with you, the people driving positive change in the world.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is underway, accelerating advancement across all industries thanks to innovative ideas and relentless effort. Groundbreaking technologies, products, and services continue to emerge. AI capabilities have significantly improved, and mobility is evolving rapidly. But have you ever wondered what plays a crucial role in driving this advancement? It's the evolution of materials. In other words, material evolution is the foundation of innovation. The more advanced a company's technologies are, the greater the reliance on special materials. That's why materials must evolve in step with technological progress. Without high-quality materials, innovation slows down.
To continue driving innovation into the future, we encourage you to choose a partner in materials. An incredible future lies ahead of us, one unlike anything humanity has ever experienced. As we advance, don't you want an incredible partner by your side? At AGC, our goal is to contribute to a sustainable society by providing unique materials and solutions. We are committed to continuous growth and evolution, striving to be an excellent company.
AGC has consistently provided solutions to global challenges. In the 1980s, when the depletion of the ozone layer due to CFCs became a critical environmental issue, we were the first to develop an alternative material solution to address this problem. We also hold a leading global market share in automotive glass for new cars, thanks to the high added value of our products. The demands for glass in the mobility sector are diverse, including applications for sensors, antennas, and displays. Our team was among the first to create glass antennas, which are crucial for connectivity. Back then, although we were mainly known as a glass manufacturer, we challenged the norm by developing antennas in-house, leading to significant performance improvement. Since then, we have continued to innovate, earning recognition from automotive manufacturers worldwide.
In the 2000s, collaborating with semiconductors, we developed EUV mask blanks, a critical component for next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. In advanced semiconductor production, achieving an integrated one-stop manufacturing process is a key challenge. AGC remains the world's only manufacturer capable of managing every step from glass materials to coating with advanced technology and exceptional quality.
For over a century, one thing has remained constant: our willingness to take on the hard road instead of opting for the easy path. This mindset is part of our DNA. By working together, we've turned ideas into reality across a wide range of industries, bringing your visions to life. So we invite you, our partners, to present us with the tough challenges you face, and we'll work alongside you to uncover the best solutions. Your dreams are our challenge. That is our brand statement.
At CES 2025, we are excited to showcase our latest innovations in three key areas that are shaping the future: next-generation mobility, semiconductors, and energy. Starting with mobility, where we believe glass plays a crucial role in enhancing the transportation experience, AGC's cutting-edge glass technologies are providing greater safety and comfort, improving how we travel. Turning to semiconductors, our advanced microfabrication technologies are pushing beyond previous limits, enhancing performance and opening up new market opportunities. As for energy, we are introducing technologies that support the promising future of hydrogen, a sector gaining significant global momentum. Leveraging our long-standing commitment to hydrogen safety and efficiency, we are contributing to sustainable energy solutions.
By advancing these technologies, we are actively building a better future. Let's work together to create a brighter world for generations to come. We are dedicated to empowering your innovations with our advanced materials and solutions for the future. Together, we aim to be an industry leader that continuously grows and evolves. We invite you to visit our booth at CES 2025, where we look forward to meeting you in person and exploring how we can shape the future together. AGC: Your dreams, our challenge.
