JSR targets digitalisation, globalistion in 2020

Tokyo – JSR Corp. is eyeing a “digital transformation” as part of a strategy to become a “truly global organisation”, according to CEO and representative director Eric Johnson.

In his new year message released 6 Jan, Johnson said the company would digitise its R&D labs through the use of advanced simulations as well as “leading edge” artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. 

“We have many internal resources working on material informatics including trying to understand how and when quantum computing will be applied,” said Johnson, who took over as the CEO in June last year. 

The company is also working to develop the use of data analytics in all its operations. 

In 2020, JSR expects to set up a "digital office" which will be focused specifically at accelerating the development and use of digital tools, the company official added.

Another key strategy of JSR in 2020 will be to increase its globalisation efforts, expecting to “use different approaches in different regions.” 

According to the CEO, JSR will work to establish a new structure to enable better understanding and engagement in global geopolitical activities, particularly in the US and China.

JSR will also expand its focus on “moving from CSR to sustainability”, Johnson noted.

As part of this, the company will add “resources and structure” to its CSR team to enable the “proper integration” of the UN-based Sustainable Development Goals into its operations. 

Each business unit will need to take these goals into account as part of their strategic plan, the CEO added. 

Johnson took over the CEO position in June last year to become the first non-Japanese national to lead the materials company.

Johnson joined JSR Micro Inc (USA) in September 2001 and has served as an officer within the Japanese company since 2011. He took over as the director and president of JSR North America Holding earlier in 2019 and before being appointed as group CEO.

JSR manufactures elastomer and resin products, including styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene rubber (BR), as well as emulsion products, such as thermoplastic elastomer and SBR latex.