Fiscal 2022 Highlights and Lowlights (April 1, 2021–March 31, 2022)

Highlights: Green
DENSO Begins Testing of CO₂ Circulation Plant at its Anjo Plant’s Electrification Innovation Center

Aiming for zero CO₂ emissions from its plants, DENSO has begun testing a CO₂ circulation plant at its Anjo Plant’s Electrification Innovation Center. The plant is a demonstration facility designed to capture and recycle CO₂.

The CO₂ circulation plant* is primarily designed to capture CO₂ generated by the plant and recycle it as an energy source for the facility and other uses. A process is being tested whereby the plant synthesizes methane, which is made from CO₂ emitted by gas-fueled equipment, and hydrogen, which is produced by renewable electricity, and reused as a source of energy.

The CO₂ recycling cycle established at the demonstration facility will not only be introduced to DENSO’s production facilities but also contribute to carbon neutrality at various manufacturing sites worldwide.

*The technology used in this project was developed jointly with Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc.

Highlights: Green
DENSO Signs Alliance Agreement with Honeywell

DENSO has signed an agreement with Honeywell International, Inc. (headquartered in New Jersey, in the United States; hereinafter referred to as Honeywell), establishing an alliance focused on electric propulsion systems for aircraft. The companies have started a joint venture that will focus on the development, design, production, sales, and after sales of products related to electric propulsion systems for aircraft, initially prioritizing the urban air mobility (UAM) segment with a focus on air taxis and cargo planes. DENSO and Honeywell are already engaged in projects with customers and plan to conduct flight testing of the electric propulsion systems in 2022.

With the recent diversification of mobility due to the development of MaaS, a new type of air mobility—electric aircraft—is attracting attention as a solution to issues such as traffic congestion in urban areas, the CO₂ emissions caused by such congestion, and securing transportation networks in rural areas. Not only are electric aircraft quiet and comfortable, they are also a form of environmentally friendly and next-generation mobility that does not emit CO₂.

We are strengthening our alliance with Honeywell, with whom we have been engaged in collaborative development since 2019, and are launching a joint venture for electric propulsion systems for aircraft. By combining Honeywell’s track record of more than 100 years in developing technologies for aircraft and DENSO’s advanced technological expertise cultivated over approximately 70 years of developing technologies for automobiles, the two companies are developing electric propulsion units (EPU)* for electric aircrafts. Within this joint venture, DENSO will develop high-power motors using its proprietary magnetic circuits and high-efficiency, high-drive-frequency inverters that use SiC (silicon carbide) produced in house in order to achieve all-important weight reduction in aircraft and contribute to the value of air mobility.

*EPU: An electric propulsion unit combining a motor and an inverter

Highlights: Corporate Foundation
DENSO Issues Sustainability Bonds for the First Time

To further promote sustainability management, the DENSO Group has issued its first sustainability bonds, which are bonds issued to finance activities that contribute to both environmental and social sustainability. The bonds were denominated in U.S. dollars.

DENSO intends to allocate the funds raised through the sustainability bonds to a wide range of investments in its electrified product, advanced safety, and automated driving businesses. This first financing for DENSO by issuing U.S. dollar-denominated straight bonds also aims to diversify and reinforce its sources of financing.

Highlights: Peace of Mind
Universities and DENSO Develop Biosensor to Detect SARS-CoV-2

Tokai University, Toyohashi University of Technology, Chubu University, and DENSO CORPORATION have been developing testing equipment to detect SARS-CoV-2 with support from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and have succeeded in developing a biosensor based on a new mechanism and detecting SARS-CoV-2. Going forward, the group will accelerate the development toward practical application to contribute to the early diagnosis of infectious diseases.

The jointly developed biosensor is targeted for use as a clinical testing instrument for highly sensitive and quick quantitative detection of viral infectivity. Unlike PCR tests and antigen tests, the biosensor detects spike proteins ^*1 on the virus surface, which trigger infection, by using a semiconductor sensor and aptamer. ^*2 The group has succeeded in developing highly sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 by using this technique for the first time in the world. ^*3

The semiconductor sensor can quantitively measure the viral load by using electrical signals. Thus, it is expected to be used to determine the status of infection and confirm the efficacy of treatment with high accuracy. An aptamer is small in size and binds selectively to various types of protein. It is also easy to design and can be mass-produced quickly, and so the aptamers can be used to detect unknown viruses.

*1 Spike Proteins
Multiple proteins on the virus surface, which have the function of binding to human cell receptors and trigger infection.
*2 Aptamer
An artificially synthesized nucleic acid molecule, which bonds with specific substances.
*3 For the first time in the world
World’s first technology to detect spike proteins using a semiconductor sensor and aptamer.

Highlights: Green
DENSO Develops SiC Power Semiconductors, Contributing to a Decarbonized Society

DENSO has been contributing to spreading the use of electric vehicles, extending their mileage, and reducing CO₂ emissions from vehicles by developing SiC (silicon carbide) power semiconductors, which incorporate DENSO’s proprietary structures and processing technologies, and using them in its in-vehicle products.

Typical power semiconductors used in in-vehicle products are made from silicon (Si). In comparison, SiC offers superior performance in high-temperature, high-frequency, and high-voltage environments, and helps significantly reduce the power loss, size, and weight of inverters. Thus, SiC devices have attracted attention because they accelerate the electrification of vehicles.

For example, a booster power module, which incorporates DENSO’s SiC power semiconductor, is about 30% smaller in volume with 70% less power loss than a conventional product with a Si power semiconductor. As a result, products have been made smaller and vehicle fuel efficiency has improved.

DENSO calls these SiC technologies “REVOSIC,” conveying the idea of making changes in society through innovative technologies. The Company has been developing a comprehensive range of technologies from wafers to power modules, and it will continue R&D into REVOSIC SiC technologies and spreading their use in electric vehicles to help realize a decarbonized society.

Highlights: Peace of Mind
DENSO Improves Performance and Functionality of the World’s Smallest Stereo Vision Sensor

DENSO has improved the performance and functionality of its Compact Stereo Vision Sensor, a device that contributes to the safety of minicars. The Compact Stereo Vision Sensor was first commercialized in 2016 and is now in its second generation due to continued improvements since being incorporated into Daihatsu’s Tanto minicar. To spread the use of safety products in minicars, it is essential that products are developed to be low cost and compact.

The Compact Stereo Vision Sensor continues to be the smallest of its kind in the world and maintains its original price while offering improved performance and functionality. The adoption of an additional monocular recognition IC with high discrimination capability along with the change to a more sensitive imager has increased response speeds in the collision avoidance assisted braking function, enhanced capability to detect pedestrians at night, and improved functions, including sign recognition support.

Highlights: Corporate Foundation
DENSO Recognized by the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program (White 500) for Sixth Consecutive Year

DENSO CORPORATION has been recognized under the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program, which is jointly promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nippon Kenko Kaigi (Japan Health Council), in the large enterprise category (White 500) for the sixth consecutive year. In addition, eight of DENSO’s Group companies were recognized under the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program in the large enterprise category (White 500), and three Group companies were recognized in the small and medium-sized enterprise category (Bright 500).

Furthermore, DENSO was selected for the third consecutive year as a Sports Yell Company by the Japan Sports Agency, in initiative in which companies are recognized for actively promoting sporting activities to improve employees’ health. As with DENSO’s recognition by the Superior Health and Productivity Companies Program, the Company was praised for its initiatives to encourage exercise among its employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.