In his first European public appearance as president and COO of Denso, Shinnosuke Hayashi revealed that the business plans to invest €63 billion (approx. $67 billion) in research and development over the next 10 years, which is in line with its pursuit of zero emissions and zero traffic fatalities within mobility and society.

The announcement at IAA Mobility in Munich, Germany, highlighted the role of the wider automotive industry in tackling carbon emissions, calling upon the sector to find collaborative solutions to make transport as a whole safer and more environmentally friendly, Denso said. According to Hayashi, businesses like Denso have a duty to preserve the planet for future generations through the creation of advanced technologies that overcome the challenges of environmental pollution and traffic fatalities.

To enable the growing shift toward electric-powered engines, Denso said its investment will allow it to develop technologies for electrification and further expand its product portfolio to accommodate the evolving needs of the mobility ecosystem. The business is ramping up its global production capacity and is on track to produce around 12 million inverters per year by 2025, while consolidating its expertise within vehicle semiconductor production and thermal management systems, the company said. Advancements within these areas will support improved electric vehicle functionality and range, paving the way toward electrification.

During his speech, Hayashi reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leading the industry in carbon neutrality. This pledge followed the recent unveiling of plans to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entirety of the company’s supply chain by 2050. By already attaining carbon neutrality (with credits) within its facilities across Japan and Europe, the company said it is on course to achieve operational carbon neutrality by 2035.

Hayashi also emphasized the impact of innovative technologies, such as carbon capture and recycling, as well as the implementation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) technologies at Denso’s Japanese facilities. Having proven their effectiveness in Asia, these technologies are poised to be introduced to a range of European facilities in the coming years, the company said.