Sumitomo Chemical Wins New Office Promotion Award at the 38th Nikkei New Office Awards for New Research Facility at Its Chiba Site
Sep. 16, 2025
The Facility Received High Praise for the Design of its Space, which Fosters Collaboration and Will Accelerate the Development of Environmental Impact Reduction Technologies and New Materials
Sumitomo Chemical has won the New Office Promotion Award at the 38th Nikkei New Office Awards for the newly constructed research facility Innovation Center MEGURU (“MEGURU”), located at its Chiba site. The awards are jointly organized by Nikkei Inc. and the New Office Promotion Association (NOPA). This is the first time the Company has received a Nikkei New Office Award.
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Open Atrium and Mezzanine
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Laboratory Adjacent to the Office Area
The Nikkei New Office Awards publicly recognizes offices that embody creativity and ingenuity, with the aim of promoting the development and spread of new office designs. The awards evaluate design concepts and specific ideas implemented and their effectiveness in terms of establishing comfortable and functional workplaces, appealing to the senses and stimulating creativity, and contributing to the effective management and use of knowledge and information assets.
At the 38th Nikkei New Office Awards, several categories were presented, including the New Office Promotion Award, Regional Block New Office Award, and Third Workplace Promotion Award. Out of 148 entries, 16 were selected for the New Office Promotion Award, which Sumitomo Chemical received.
MEGURU began operations in June 2024 as a hub for the development of environmental impact reduction technologies and new materials. The design of its space promotes collaboration among researchers and creates synergies across different research fields. The central area of the building features an open atrium, mezzanines, and meeting spaces. These features promote spontaneous encounters and daily conversations and discussions that cross departmental and disciplinary boundaries. In addition, the laboratories are adjacent to the offices, which enables researchers to move efficiently, while extensive use of glass windows achieves high visibility.
During the evaluation process, MEGURU was highly rated for the design of its space, which generates synergies across fields and encourages natural communication. It was also praised for the functional arrangement of laboratories and offices, spaces of distinctly different nature.
Sumitomo Chemical is committed to becoming an Innovative Solution Provider over the long term. The Company will continue to strive to create new value for society by fostering co-creation among researchers from diverse fields and accelerating the development of new technologies and materials.
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The Award Ceremony
Reference
Contact
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Dept.
https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/contact/public/