Corporate
Profile

[Company strength]
COBARION® has less than 0.01% Ni, high mechanical characteristics, high fatigue strength, high abrasive resistance, and high corrosion resistance. These properties make it preferable as a biomaterial for medical applications. We are currently the only manufacturer of COBARION®. We are continuing our R&D efforts to further evolve this material and enhance the product’s appeal as a material for non-medical industries. 

[Business description]
Our company started business in 1978, mainly in the FRP molding industry, and we later expanded operations by obtaining licenses as a construction and waterproofing work contractor. Our metal business began in 2010, mostly in the field of special metals (melting, forging, and rolling). The intention was to manufacture and sell COBARION® (a high-value-added cobalt alloy from Iwate Prefecture; trademark registered by Iwate Prefecture). This product was developed under industry/university/government cooperation. We apply the processing technologies we acquired through developing this cobalt alloy to small-lot production of various special alloys and prototype manufacturing for R&D purposes. 

[Industry]
Other nonferrous metal manufacturing

[Strength of products/technologies]
COBARION® was initially developed by applying the “intelligent forging” method, under the guidance of Professor Akihiko Chiba at the Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University. COBARION® would have been impossible without an optimal manufacturing process, which was designed through a fusion of multiple technologies (intelligent forging method). This was done by mapping out the relationship between the forging parameters and microstructure (processing map), and hot forging simulation (FEM analysis). 

[Representative's message]
Our company was established in 1978 as an FRP manufacturer. Since then we have manufactured water purification and anti-corrosion products, and we entered the construction industry to pursue growth. In 2010 we entered a new field again by creating a metal business department to further expand our business. We are currently trying to strengthen our organizational framework to supply materials in a stable manner and earn the trust of our customers. We intend to complete our ongoing R&D of many materials and expand our product lineup and sales in the future. 

[Company structure for market development/overseas expansion]
We doubled the number of staff in the metal business department in response to the increase in customers and transactions. We also introduced 100-kg vacuum melting furnaces, and 300-kg heating furnaces. 

[Market share/Ranking]
We have acquired 100% of the domestic Japanese cobalt alloy market (0% abroad).

[Awards and media coverage]
[Awards]

[Media]
Iwate Nippo and Kahoku, “Japan’s First Cobalt Alloy Shipped” (April 2012).


[Authorization/Certification]
Acquired ISO 9001:2008 certification (April, 2014).

[Joint research and development]
Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University (joint development of manufacturing technology for cobalt alloy rolled steel using CAD/CAM technologies to create a biomaterial suitable for dental prosthesis, 2011–2013).

[Transaction form]
Orders for trial manufacturing and development; consignment manufacturing; sales of products and materials.

[Transaction terms]
All arrangements after delivery and training are based on our terms and conditions.

[Main Clients / Business History (domestic)]
Kyocera Medical (consignment manufacturing, since 2012); Kyocera (consignment manufacturing, since 2012); Tohoku Steel (consignment manufacturing, since 2012).

[Exhibition History/Information]
M-Tech; MEDTECH; SME Expo Sougouten; COMPAMED; M-Tech (planned).