NIPPON KINZOKU Strengthens Promotion of "L-Core" as an Eco-Product: Functional Stainless Steel Achieving High Conductivity via Surface Modification
13.5.2026 11:01:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
NIPPON KINZOKU CO., LTD. (TOKYO: 5491) (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) is proud to announce the strengthened promotion of "L-Core," a functional stainless steel that utilizes proprietary surface modification technology to achieve extremely low contact resistance while maintaining the inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel. We have repositioned L-Core as a strategic "Eco-Product" to support sustainable manufacturing.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513728897/en/
While conventional stainless steel excels in corrosion resistance due to its "passive film," this same film typically acts as an electrical insulator. Consequently, components requiring conductivity have traditionally relied on high-cost nickel (Ni) plating or conductive tapes. L-Core solves this challenge by making the passive film itself conductive. This breakthrough ensures high conductivity in the material alone, streamlining the manufacturing process and achieving significant cost reductions alongside a lower environmental footprint.
By integrating high-performance characteristics directly into the base material, we enable customers to skip redundant processing steps and improve material yields. This approach not only streamlines manufacturing but also reduces the environmental footprint across the entire supply chain, driving progress toward a carbon-neutral society.
1. Technical Features: Formation of "Carrier Doping" (Conductive Pathways)
Using proprietary surface treatment technology, we form "carrier-doped" regions within the passive film that function as pathways for electricity.
- Balancing Conductivity and Corrosion Resistance: The film is modified without being destroyed, preserving the excellent corrosion resistance inherent to stainless steel.
- Eliminating Post-Processing: Since the material itself offers low resistance, it can be used for conductive components without additional steps like plating.
2. Performance Data: Superior Contact Resistance and Long-term Stability
L-Core demonstrates low contact resistance comparable to semi-bright Ni plating and maintains this performance even under harsh conditions.
- Low Contact Resistance: Delivers significantly lower resistance compared to conventional stainless steel (SUS304 BA).
- High Reliability: Almost no performance degradation was observed even after 2,700 hours in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment (60°C, 95% RH).
3. Key Benefits for Customers: Cost Reduction and Quality Improvement
It offers advantages in both cost and quality compared to nickel-plated stainless steel.
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/assets/images/2026/05/Characteristic-comparison-with-Ni-plating.png
4. Product Specifications & Production Capabilities
- Applicable Steel Grades: All austenitic series (e.g., SUS301, SUS304, etc.)
- Thickness: 0.05 mm - 0.30 mm
- Width: Up to 200 mm
- Finishes: Compatible with all finishes except for TA (Tension Annealing)
5. Application Examples
- Smartphone chassis
- Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC)
- Display bezels (LCD, etc.)
- Electrical connectors
Click here for more details.
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/assets/images/2026/05/20260513-En-Press-Release.pdf
About NIPPON KINZOKU Group
Our products have been used in a range of areas from the precision field to the construction industry. https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/en/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513728897/en/
Contacts
NIPPON KINZOKU CO., LTD.
Production Process & Support Department
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/en/inquiry -
https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nipponkinz
oku.co.jp%2Fen%2Finquiry&esheet=54533218&newsitemid=20260513728897&lan=en-US&anc
hor=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nipponkinzoku.co.jp%2Fen%2Finquiry&index=4&md5=8442f0efc34
ef78de1ddb749a376f717
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
www.businesswire.com
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
MTU Maintenance Lease Services Invests in TRecs to Digitalise Engine Transition Management13.5.2026 11:05:00 EEST | Press release
MTU Maintenance Lease Services B.V. (“MLS”), the engine leasing and asset management arm of MTU Maintenance, today announced a strategic minority investment in TRecs (trecs.aero). TRecs is a platform digitalising Open Item List (OIL) management across the engine lifecycle, from initial technical review through transitions, shop visits, and beyond. Terms of the transaction are kept confidential. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513682497/en/ Through its deployment of TRecs, MLS moves further into its leading role in moving the engine leasing industry toward a cloud-based, collaborative standard designed specifically for leasing and asset management customers. MLS will use the platform across the engine lifecycle, from the initial technical review of acquired or leased-in engines through end-of-lease documentation and task tracking for lease returns, shop visits, and asset transitions, in a centralised, real-t
Hermes Reply Presents Brick Cognitive, the Agentic Operating System for Manufacturing13.5.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Hermes Reply, the Reply Group company specialized in digital transformation for manufacturing, presents Brick Cognitive, the new agentic operating system designed to bring AI to the centre of industrial operations. A natural extension of Brick Reply, Reply’s next-generation MES/MOM platform, Brick Cognitive introduces a model in which factory systems no longer simply execute and monitor operations, but isable to interpret what is happening, correlate events and guide action across production, quality, maintenance and planning. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260513981153/en/ Brick Reply, Reply’s next-generation MES/MOM platform, Brick Cognitive introduces a model in which factory systems no longer simply execute and monitor operations, but is able to interpret what is happening, correlate events and guide action across production, quality, maintenance and planning. In production environments, data and processe
MC Advances Supply Chain Transformation with Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions13.5.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
MC, the retail division of Sonae and a leading player in Portugal’s grocery market and health, wellness, and beauty retail across the Iberian Peninsula, has selected Blue Yonder Cognitive Solutions for Allocation and Replenishment to advance its supply chain transformation. With more than 400 stores across multiple formats, MC operates major supermarkets and hypermarkets such as Continente, along with convenience stores, health and wellness shops, and online grocery services. Blue Yonder’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) enabled solutions will help the company improve visibility into demand forecasting. The new solutions will be implemented by Blue Yonder Services. “The grocery retail sector is adapting to a period of significant change, underlining the need for more agile operations across the supply chain. We needed end-to-end visibility and faster, more accurate inventory planning to address demand uncertainty while prioritizing our business goals,” s
Oral‑B Announces The Big Rethink 2026 , Launching One of Europe’s Largest Disability‑Focused Oral Health Studies13.5.2026 10:06:00 EEST | Press release
Oral‑B today announces The Big Rethink 2026, the next evolution of its flagship oral health inclusion programme, developed in partnership with the International Association for Disability and Oral Health (iADH). The new phase introduces Project Steady, one of Europe’s largest real‑world studies exploring oral care experiences among people with disabilities, their carers and dental professionals. The programme aims to reduce everyday barriers to oral care through inclusive design, evidence-based research and professional education. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260511175864/en/ Oral B Announces The Big Rethink 2026, Launching One of Europe’s Largest Disability Focused Oral Health Studies Oral health for Whole-Body Health Since its launch in 2022, The Big Rethink has been grounded in a clear belief: oral health is fundamental to whole‑body health, confidence and quality of life. For people with disabilities, b
Takeda Announces FY2025 Full Year Results and FY2026 Outlook, Highlighted by Excellent Pipeline Progress and Solid FY2025 Results13.5.2026 09:38:00 EEST | Press release
Takeda (TOKYO:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced financial results for the fiscal year 2025 (period ended March 31, 2026). The Company delivered solid results in line with its latest FY2025 Management Guidance, reflecting strong OPEX savings, mitigating revenue headwinds while continuing to invest in future growth. Key Highlights for FY2025 Revenue decreased by 1.7% YoY at actual exchange rates (AER), resulting from the loss of exclusivity for VYVANSE® which was partially mitigated by Growth and Launch Products. On a Core basis, Revenue decreased by 2.6% at Constant Exchange Rate (CER). Core Operating Profit increased by 0.8% YoY at AER and declined by 0.9% at CER, protected by OPEX savings, while still investing for growth. Reported Operating Profit increased by 19.3% YoY at AER, also reflecting a step-down in amortization expenses for VYVANSE and lower restructuring expenses. Core EPS increased by 5.2% YoY at AER and by 3.1% at CER, while reported EPS increased by 78.1% YoY. Adjusted Fre
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom