Research and Development

In terms of R&D, we will continue to focus on our five research groups: catalysis and processes, functional materials, polymers, organic synthesis, and biotechnology. We intend to strengthen fields that will remain of major importance to us in the future. These include photovoltaics, energy and white biotechnology. As for the semiconductor industry, we are working on a new wafer generation that entails processes for design rules of 22 nanometers. R&D expenses in 2009 and 2010 are expected to be slightly above the prior-year figure.