NGK Spark Plugs has committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and one exciting example of this commitment is the development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) which are already installed at the company’s Komaki plant in Japan.

Right now this means the plant’s CO2 footprint is reduced by around 240 tonnes annually, with even better results to come when carbon-free hydrogen can be used as fuel.

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd Managing Director Marko Wowczyna said, “As a company, NGK is committed to helping protect the environment and the development of new fuel sources. The announcement that as a company we have committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and also the development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells is further evidence of our resolve in helping achieve these goals which will be further enhanced when carbon-free hydrogen can be used as fuel.”

NGK recently announced it has established a corporate venture capital fund to invest in venture companies around the world.  The company has set forth its vision for 2030 in the ‘2030 Long-Term Management Plan NITTOKU BX’, which began in April 2020. This seeks a business portfolio transformation by increasing the ratio of the non-internal combustion engine business compared to now.

NGK is advancing the creation of new businesses focusing on ‘Smart Health,’ ‘Decentralised Utility’ and ‘Smart Mobility’ as one of the measures to realise this vision. In order to accelerate the creation of new businesses in these areas, the group has established a fund in Silicon Valley, USA to collaborate with venture companies with cutting-edge technologies, business models, and ideas.