Ceramic filters contribute to the deployment of 5G communication networks
Kyoto/London, September 4th, 2019. Kyocera and Ube Industries, Ltd. (herein “Ube Industries”; President: Masato Izumihara) announced that the two companies have signed a joint venture agreement to manufacture ceramic filters for 5G base stations.
Under the agreement, Kyocera will acquire 51 % of the shares of Ube Electronics, Ltd. (herein “Ube Electronics”; President: Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ube Industries. Kyocera and Ube Industries will then establish a joint venture named Kyocera-Ube RF TEC Corporation, which will commence operations in December 2019.
Fifth-generation (5G) mobile network technology enables high-capacity, low-latency communications for more connected devices in smart homes, driverless cars, healthcare, and more. 5G technology generally involves two different types of base stations: “macro-cell base stations,” which provide coverage to relatively wider areas, and “small-cell base stations,” with coverage for highly populated areas to strengthen communications. The deployment of base stations containing multiple antennas is expected to accelerate as 5G expands. Consequently, further miniaturization of electronic components for base stations will play an important role in the success of 5G mobile networks.
Ceramic filters, which are among the main products manufactured by Ube Electronics, are key components enabling macro cell base stations. For base station applications, the ceramic filters paired with antennas remove unwanted signal elements and allow only the desired signal to be transmitted or received. In addition, because ceramic technology offers component miniaturization while ensuring high power output, ceramic filters are expected to replace metallic filters in 5G infrastructure.
By combining the filter design technology of Ube Electronics with Kyocera’s global ceramic components manufacturing expertise and sales network, the joint venture will seek to meet rising demand for these key components enabling the expansion of 5G technology.
Overview of joint venture
| Company name | Kyocera-Ube RF TEC Corporation |
| Representative | President: Kousuke Nishimura |
| Start of operations (planned) | December 2019 |
| Investment ratio | Kyocera Corporation 51 % Ube Industries, Ltd. 49 % |
| Location | 800 Ichimiyake Yasu Shiga (On the premises of Kyocera’s Shiga Yasu Plant) |
| Production subsidiary | Kyocera-Ube (Wuxi) RF TEC Corporation |
| Location of production subsidiary | B27 Factory Building, Plot 52, Hi-New-Tech Development Area, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214028 China |
| Employees (planned) | Kyocera-Ube RF TEC Corporation: 12 Kyocera-Ube (Wuxi) RF TEC Corporation：154 |
About Ube Industries
Ube Industries, Ltd. (TOKYO: 4208) has been in business since 1897, when it was founded as a coal mining company based in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The company has continued to evolve with the times, and its main businesses today are chemicals, construction materials, and machinery.
Ube Industries’ corporate philosophy is: “Pursue technology and embrace innovation to create value for the future and contribute to social progress.” Guided by this philosophy, the company will continue to offer new value by meeting the ever-diversifying and increasingly complex needs of the world. For the fiscal year ended March 31st, 2019, Ube Industries recorded consolidated net sales of ¥730.1 billion.
About Kyocera
Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Kyocera Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fine ceramic components for the technology industry. The strategically important divisions in the Kyocera Group, which is comprised of 286 subsidiaries (as of March 31, 2019), are information and communications technologies, products which increase quality of life, and environmentally friendly products. The technology group is also one of the most experienced producers of solar energy systems worldwide, with more than 40 years of know-how in the industry.
The company is ranked #655 on Forbes magazine’s 2019 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies. With a global workforce of over 77,000 employees, Kyocera posted net sales of approximately €12,99 million in fiscal year 2018/2019. The products marketed by the company in Europe include printers, digital copying systems, semiconductor-, fine ceramic-, automotive- and electronic components as well as printing devices and kitchen products. The Kyocera Group has two independent companies in the United Kingdom: Kyocera Fineceramics Ltd. and Kyocera Document Solutions.
The company also takes an active interest in cultural affairs. The Kyoto Prize, a prominent international award, is presented each year by the Inamori Foundation — established by Kyocera founder Dr. Kazuo Inamori — to individuals and groups worldwide who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of humankind (converted at approximately €818,000 per prize category).
