Sep 5 2006
Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has started up its new R&D facility in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan to promote the development of the next-generation hard disk (HD) media with greater storage capacity. SDK held an opening ceremony yesterday at the new facility with the attendance of many distinguished guests. The facility, whose construction began in October last year, is located at the premises of Showa Denko HD K.K., a consolidated subsidiary of SDK for the HD media production and development.
Last year, SDK became the world’s first to start commercial shipments of HD media based on the innovative perpendicular magnetic recording technology. The new product has enabled a drastic increase in the media capacity compared with conventional products based on the longitudinal recording technology. Using the experimental production lines of the new facility, SDK will deepen its perpendicular magnetic recording technology and aim to develop new technologies for the next-generation HD media.
In addition, SDK will use part of the new facility for commercial production to meet strong request from customers.
SDK has been active in the investment and R&D in the HD media business, which is classified as a “growth driver” under the ongoing business plan, the Passion Project. SDK aims to continue to provide advanced products as the world’s largest independent HD media supplier.