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Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.

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FY2016 Annual Report · Asahi Glass Co. Ltd.
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AGC Report 2016

AGC, an Everyday Essential Part of Our World 
AGC’s unique materials and solutions make people’s lives better
around the world every day

1

AGC Report 2016

AGC Group Vision

®

is the AGC Group’s corporate philosophy on which all the activities 

of the Group are founded.
The following thoughts are expressed in 

.

We will continue to

Anticipate and envision the future,

Have perspectives beyond our own fields of expertise,

Pursue innovations, not becoming complacent with the status quo.

We will continue to create value worldwide, demonstrating the vast potential 
of the Group’s entire organization.

Structure and elements of

Our Mission
“Our Mission” expresses the value that the Group 
should  offer  to  the  world,  and  represents  the 
reason why the AGC Group exists.

Our Shared Values
“Our Shared Values” expresses the key ideas that 
all AGC Group members must share as the basis 
for every action we take.

Our Spirit
This  founding  spirit  is  precisely  the  ‘AGC  spirit’ 
that has been handed down from generation to 
generation and shared by all Group members.

Our Mission

AGC, an everyday essential part of our world
—AGC’s unique materials and solutions make people’s lives better around the world every day—

We, the AGC Group, aim to continue being the “first choice” solution provider for our customers by building long-term trusted relationships 
with them through unique materials and solutions developed using our wide-ranging material and production technologies. We will continue 
offering products and solutions that customers and society need, thereby making people’s lives better around the world every day.

Our Shared Values

Innovation & Operational excellence

• We will continuously seek innovations in the technology, products and services we provide by thinking beyond conventional ideas 

and frameworks. 

• We will continuously create new value which satisfies the needs of our potential and future customers by thinking from the 

customer’s perspective and accurately forecasting the changes in society and markets.

• We will continuously improve our operations for maximum efficiency and quality in every activity and will strive for the highest

possible standard of performance.

Diversity

Environment

Integrity

• We will respect individuals with 

different capabilities and personalities, 
and our global management will 
operate without regard to nationality, 
gender or background. 

• We will respect cultural diversity 

regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, 
language, and nationality.

• We will respect different perspectives 

and opinions at all times.

Our Spirit

• We, as good global citizens, will 

contribute to the creation of a sustain-
able society in harmony with nature.
• We will strive to ensure and further 

improve occupational health and safety 
in our working environment.

• We will build open and fair relationships 
with all of our stakeholders based on 
the highest ethical standards. 

• We will strictly comply with applicable 

laws and regulations.

• We will fulfill our responsibilities in 
relation to all the products and 
services we provide to achieve 
customer satisfaction and trust.

“Never take the easy way out, but confront difficulties.”
The founding spirit of Toshiya Iwasaki, who established Asahi Glass Company in 1907.

AGC Report 2016 2

Message from the President and CEO

Takuya Shimamura
Representative Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer

The AGC Group’s history began more than a century ago, 
when  Asahi  Glass  Company  took  on  the  challenge  of 
manufacturing the first flat glass in Japan, with a view to 
contribute  to  people’s  lives  and  the  country’s  industrial 
development.  Since  that  time,  the  Group  has  built  up 
expertise and technologies in the fields of glass, electron-
ics, chemicals and ceramics, while providing solutions to a 
wide range of industries, including the building materials, 
automotive and electronics industries. After the launch of 
its  business  operations  in  India  in  the  1950s,  the  Group 
expanded  its  business  throughout  Asia,  Europe  and 

North and South America, and its employees around the 
world  have  been  striving  for  the  development  of  local 
economy  and  society  in  each  region.  The  basics  of  our 
business  is  to  contribute  to  society  through  our  unique 
materials  and  solutions  developed  using  the  Group’s 
expertise and technologies.

Today, amid a major shift in our business environment, we 
will keep the basics of our business in our minds and contin-
ue  to  create  value,  with  all  employees  and  management 
working  as  one  team.  To  this  end,  we  established  the 

3

AGC Report 2016

Through Diverse Technologies, the AGC Group Offers
Solutions that Contribute to People’s Lives Worldwide.

“Vision  2025”  in  February  2016.  It  clarifies  our  aspirations 
and vision for the Group in the next 10 years, and lays out 
the management strategies for realizing them.

As we strive to achieve our “Vision 2025” goal of becoming 
a  highly  profitable,  leading  global  material  and  solution 
provider,  we  will  continue  innovating  and  offering  new 
solutions that are indispensable for society. Moreover, we 
remain strongly committed to the sustainable development 
of countries worldwide with the hope of ensuring a bright 
future for our planet. The AGC Group will continue making 

positive contributions moving forward to meet the expecta-
tions of our stakeholders around the world.

Takuya Shimamura
Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

AGC Report 2016 4

Long-term Strategy

The AGC Group is Realizing Vision 2025
by Enhancing Core Businesses and Expanding Strategic Businesses.

In February 2016, the AGC Group established Vision 2025, 
alongside a long-term management strategy for realizing its 
goals.  Under  the  strategy,  the  Group  has  designated  its 
glass, chemicals, display glass and ceramics businesses as 
Core  Businesses  for  ensuring  stable  sources  of  earnings 
over the long term. By designating its mobility, electronics 
and  life  science  businesses  as  Strategic  Businesses,  it  will 
aim  for  high  growth  in  targeted  markets.  Both  of  these 
business  categories  will  serve  as  twin  pillars  for  achieving 

Vision  2025.  Based  on  the  principle  of  always  meeting 
customers’ expectations and continuing to earn their trust, 
the AGC Group is pursuing strategic mergers, acquisitions 
and  other  investments  aimed  at  generating  value  and 
growth,  while  working  to  allocate  operational  resources 
with an emphasis on asset efficiency. 

Looking ahead, the AGC Group will continue offering 
value  to  customers  and  society  as  it  aims  to  be  a  highly 
profitable, leading global material and solution provider. 

“Vision 2025”

By 2025, the AGC Group’s Core Businesses will serve as solid sources of earnings, and
Strategic Businesses will become growth drivers and lead further earnings growth.
In 2025, the AGC Group will continue being a highly profitable,
leading global material and solution provider.

Core Strategy 1
Core businesses

Core Strategy 2
Strategic businesses

Establishing long-term, stable sources of
earnings through the portfolio management

Establishing highly profitable businesses through
expansion of high value-added businesses

Architectural
glass

Automotive
glass
(existing)

Display glass

Mobility

Electronics

Life science

Essential
chemicals

Performance
chemicals

Ceramics

The AGC Group’s competitive advantages

Wide-ranging customer base

Varieties of material technologies
in the field of glass, electronics,
chemicals and ceramics

Production technology
development capability and
operational excellence

5

AGC Report 2016

Core Strategy 1   Core businesses

Practicing Comprehensive Portfolio Management

The  AGC  Group  now  designates  its  architectural  glass, 
automotive glass, chemicals and display glass businesses 
as Core Businesses. Through these businesses, the Group 
will establish long-term, stable sources of earnings while 
focusing on the effective allocation of resources based on 
its business portfolio. It will also carry out growth-oriented 

investments, including mergers and acquisitions.

The AGC Group has established a strong presence in 
Thailand  and  Indonesia  through  its  glass  and  chemicals 
businesses. By taking advantage of growth in Asia in partic-
ular,  this  has  created  opportunity  for  business  expansion 
from Southeast Asia to the Middle East (West Asia).

Basic Strategies for Enhancing Core Businesses

Business

Basic strategy

Architectural glass

•Select and concentrate on high growth countries & countries that the Group has a competitive advantage
•Innovative business models to enhance the asset efficiency

Automotive glass
(existing)

Display glass

Essential
chemicals

Performance
chemicals

Ceramics

•Respond to needs for more advanced functions and performance amid the expansion of the Eco-friendly 

vehicles and automated driving systems

•Further global expansion by M&A etc.

•Optimize the allocation of production bases to respond to the demand shift in the LCD glass market
•Cultivate markets for new display applications

•Further strengthen the business foundation of Chlor-alkali business in Southeast Asia

•Take advantage of the global demand increase in high performance materials for the growth of the 

fluorochemicals business

•Deliver new value propositions with a mix of materials, engineering & services
•Establish business bases in Southeast Asia and expand the global sales

Growth Strategies in Asia

Middle East
(West Asia)

The AGC Group’s business foundations
in glass and chemicals
extend across Asia from Southeast Asia
to the Middle East (West Asia).

Southeast Asia

Main business locations

Glass

Chemicals

AGC Report 2016 6

Long-term Strategy

Core Strategy 2   Strategic businesses

Expanding High Value-added Businesses

Through its Strategic Businesses, the AGC Group is offering 
solutions  with  increased  added  value,  targeting  markets 
covering the three categories of mobility, electronics and the 
life science. The Group’s mobility business provides solutions 
that help integrate information and communication technol-
ogy (ICT) in automobiles and construct innovative infrastruc-
tures and new ecosystems for transportation. The electron-
ics business supplies optical materials for digital cameras and 

signage-related  products  and  technologies  based  on  the 
vision of an Internet of Things (IoT) society, in which all types 
of products are interconnected via the Internet. Products in 
this business help further diversify input/output devices, as 
well  as  increase  the  speed  of  communications  and  the 
capacity  of  data  storage  media.  Finally,  the  life  science 
business provides products that facilitate advanced medical 
care and solutions for global food shortages.

The AGC Group’s Solutions for Targeted Markets

Changes in the
social environment

Targeted
markets

Changes in the
market trends

The AGC Group’s solutions

Mobility

•Integration of

automobiles and ICT

•Innovation of

transportation
ecosystem

Advancing automotive
ICT

Innovation in
transportation infrastructure

New ecosystem
in mobility

Electronics

•Diversification of

input/output devices

•Greater speed of

communication and 
increased capacity for 
data storage media

Evolution of input devices

Contribute to realizing
a “Big Data” society

Innovation in output devices

Life science

•Bipolarization of

needs for advanced
medical care and
low-cost medical care

•Food

shortage/Greater
awareness for food
safety

Supplying advanced
medicinal technology

High-quality and reliable
pharmaceutical/
agrochemical
intermediate

Development of advanced
medical technology

•Evolution of

transportation
infrastructure

•Everything can be

connected

•Anyone can be

connected anytime

•Aging society

•Increase of global

population

•Greater safety,

security, comfort

7

AGC Report 2016

Medium-term Strategy

The AGC Group is Establishing the Basis for Long-term Growth
with the Medium-term Management Plan, AGC plus-2017.

By effectively allocating resources and carrying out strate-
gies  based  on  its  business  portfolio,  which  has  been 
created based on the profitability and growth potential for 
each of the Group’s businesses, the AGC Group is aiming 
to achieve the management and financial targets set under 
the medium-term management plan, AGC plus-2017.

Having positioned 2015 as a year for laying the ground-
work for medium- and long-term growth, the AGC Group 
proactively invested in growth areas and regions for each of 
its businesses, including the construction of a power plant in 
Indonesia and the acquisition of an automotive replacement 

glass company in Poland. It also made steady changes to the 
balance of its business portfolio, improving overall perfor-
mance  by  restructuring  the  architectural  glass  business  in 
Americas and Europe. 

From 2016 through to 2017, the AGC Group plans to 
capitalize on its investment results over those two years in 
Indonesia,  China,  and  other  countries,  while  aiming  for 
further growth by expanding new businesses and product 
lineups,  including  cover  glass  for  vehicle  interiors,  new 
refrigerants for vehicle air conditioners and products for life 
science applications. 

Progress Under the Medium-term Management Plan, AGC plus-2017

2015

2016

2017

2025

Medium-term management plan, AGC plus-2017

Long-term management strategies
for realization of the Vision 2025

Net sales (Billion yen)
1,326.3

Operating profit (Billion yen)

71.2

2015

1,600.0

100

1,400.0

75.0

2016 (Forecast)

2017 (Target)

Management targets
for 2017
Net sales

¥1.6 trillion
Operating profit 

More than ¥100 billion

ROE 

5% or above

Debt to equity ratio

0.5 or less

Increase Low-E glass (Eco-glass) production capacity by 50% in Thailand

Coating glass production starts in Saudi Arabia
through a joint-venture with Obeikan Glass

Enhanced float production for auto glass starts in Indonesia

Glass

Third automotive glass plant in China starts operation

New plant in Mexico starts operation

Acquired Poland-based NordGlass in order to bolster the automotive replacement glass business

Increase polishing capacity in Shenzhen, China

Electronics

LCD float furnace relocated from Japan to China starts operation

Start LGP glass business

Increase chlor-alkali production capacity in Indonesia

Increase PVC capacity by 50% in Vietnam

Chemicals

Plant for new-generation automotive refrigerant start operation

Power generation plant starts
operation in Indonesia

Increase production capacity of pharmaceutical & agrochemical intermediates and active ingredients

AGC Report 2016 8

Overview of the AGC Group

The AGC Group Creates New Value in the Fields of Glass,
Electronics, Chemicals and Ceramics.

Business Segment (As of the end of December 2015)

GLASS

ELECTRONICS

The AGC Group’s business extends into 
four fields: glass, electronics, chemicals and 
ceramics. Through more than a century of 
technological innovation, the Group has 
developed world-leading technologies 
and expertise through which it provides 
a diverse lineup of products for custom-
ers across a wide range of industries. From 
architectural glass and automotive glass 
and  extending  to  liquid  crystal  display 
glass and electronic materials—as well as 
high-function materials such as chemicals 
and ceramics—the AGC Group proposes 
new solutions from its unique perspective 
as a manufacturer of glass and other mate-
rials. In order to further enrich society, the 
AGC Group is constantly pushing the limits 
in the creation of new standards of value.

Sales Ratio1

Chemicals

24%

Ceramics/
Other

2%

2015
Net Sales

1,326.3

billion yen

CHEMICALS

Electronics

22%

Glass

52%

Sales Trends (Billion yen)
1,348.3

1,320.0

1,326.3

CERAMICS/
OTHER

2013

2014

2015

(Year)

Note  Numeric  data  is  based  on  International  Financial  Reporting 
Standards (IFRS). (Subject organizations: Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. 
and  its  consolidated  subsidiaries  /  Target  period:  Each 
business year ending December 31) 

      1  Sales Ratio calculated from sales to external customers.

9

AGC Report 2016

Corporate Data 

(As of the end of December 2015)

Company Name
AGC Asahi Glass

Founded
September 8, 1907

Outstanding Stock
1,186,705,905 shares

Registered Company Name
ASAHI GLASS CO., LTD

Head Office
1-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, 
Tokyo 100-8405 JAPAN

Incorporated
June 1, 1950

Capital
90,873 million yen

Employees
50,852 (consolidated), 
5,973 (non-consolidated)

Consolidated Group Companies
204 (166 overseas)

Sales Ratio1

Sales Trends2 (Billion yen)

Main Businesses and Fields/Main Products

52%

22%

24%

2%

692.9

667.3

686.3

2013

2014

2015 (Year)

346.0

319.7

288.6

2013

2014

2015 (Year)

317.2 318.5

290.7

2013

2014

2015 (Year)

78.6

80.8

68.1

Architectural glass
•Float glass
•Low-emissivity (Low-E) glass
•Double glazing glass for solar control/heat-insulation
•Safety glass
•Decorative glass

Automotive glass
•Tempered automotive glass
•Laminated automotive glass

Display
•Glass substrates for TFT-LCDs

Electronic materials
•CMOS/CCD blue filter
•CMP slurry
•Synthetic quartz glass
•Glass frit and paste
•Glass molded lenses

Applied glass materials
•Cover glass for electronic devices
•Thin glass for electronic devices
•Glass for light guide plates
•Glass for photovoltaic devices

Chlor-alkali and urethane
•Raw materials for vinyl chloride monomer and polymer
•Caustic soda
•Urethane materials

Fluorochemicals and specialty chemicals
•Fluoropolymers/films
•Fluorinated water and oil repellents
•Pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediates and 

active ingredients 

•Iodine-related products

Ceramics
•Refractory materials
•Fine ceramics
•Sputtering targets

Logistics/Engineering

2 Sales by business were calculated before elimination, therefore the sum will not match company-wide sales when totaled.

2013

2014

2015 (Year)

AGC Report 2016 10

Product Applications

Glass substrates
for display devices

In a Wide Range of Places and Situations, the AGC Group’s
Diverse Products Support a Safe, Pleasant and Sustainable Society.

Glass materials and components
for optical equipment

Major Products

Glass

Electronics

Chemicals

Ceramics/Other

Supporting Mobility

Beginning with lightweight, high-function automotive 
glass, the AGC Group provides a wide range of 
products that are vital to transportation equipment.

Fluoropolymer resin
for coatings

Glass substrates for display devices

Glass materials and components
for storage devices

Architectural glass

Bus glass

Supporting Displays
and Optical Equipment

The AGC Group provides materials and components for 
electronic equipment used in a variety of business situations.

Train platform
screen doors

Railway glass

Truck glass

Automotive glass

Cover glass for console panels

LED/OLED lighting components

Urethane materials for car seats

Fluoropolymer resins and rubber
for automotive components

Photovoltaic devices for buildings

Glass for office buildings

Laminated safety glass for public facilities

Supporting Construction
and Social Infrastructure

The AGC Group provides architectural materials that contribute to 
the creation of safe and pleasant spaces, and industrial materials 
that strengthen social infrastructure.

Optical materials
for digital cameras

Glass substrates for display devices

Cover glass for electronic devices

Glass materials and components
for optical equipment

Glass substrates for display devices

Cover glass for electronic devices

Fluoropolymer resin for coatings

Fluoropolymer resin for coatings

Fluoropolymers for membrane structures
(films)

Ceramic material for road surfaces
(heat shielding/anti-skid)

LED/OLED lighting components

Glass integrated digital signage

Show window glass

Insulated glass doors
for refrigerated and frozen showcases

Low-E insulating glass
for residential use

11

AGC Report 2016

AGC Report 2016 12

Ultra-lightweight photovoltaic module

Cover glass for lightweight photovoltaic module

Protective fluoropolymer resin film
for photovoltaic devices

Fuel cell-related materials

Supporting
the Environment

The AGC Group provides components and technologies that 
contribute to the realization of smart cities and smart mobility.

Sodium hypochlorite
for tap water disinfectants

Washstand mirrors

Heat resistant glass

Fluoropolymers resin for coatings

Fluoroelastomer for petroleum extraction machinery (rubber)

TCO substrates for photovoltaic devices

Glass fiber-reinforced plastic for photovoltaic device frames

Glass-ceramics substrates for high-power LED lighting

Fuel cell-related materials

Materials for lithium-ion battery

Sodium bicarbonate
(infusion solution for artificial dialysis)

Active ingredients for eyedrops

Fluoropolymers for horticultural use
(greenhouse film)

Agrochemical
active
ingredients

Bulking agent
for liquid
chromatography

Caustic soda
(for hand soap)

Filler for cosmetic products

Caustic soda
(for dishwashing detergent)

Sodium bicarbonate
(baking powder)

Supporting
Consumer Products

The AGC Group provides products that bring comfort and convenience 
to daily life and many of the materials vital to their creation. 

13

AGC Report 2016

Supporting Life Science

The AGC Group provides pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals 
used in the field of life science, and materials for a wide variety 
of its related facilities.

Biopharmaceutical
active ingredients

Lab use ware

Tissue culture ware

Prepared specimens for microscopes

AGC Report 2016 14

Global Network

The AGC Group’s Global Business is Built on Three Regional Pillars:
Japan/Asia, Europe and the Americas.

JAPAN

ASIA

Main Locations

Glass

Electronics

Chemicals

Ceramics/Other 

As economic globalization advances, the AGC Group’s 
business extends into over 30 countries and regions with 
the regional pillars  in Japan/Asia, Europe and the Amer-
icas. In its glass business, which has markets around the 
world, the Group has product development and manu-
facturing  bases  in  each  of  these  three  regions.  In  its 
electronics business, as its client businesses are concen-
trated  in  East  Asia,  development  and  manufacturing 
bases are concentrated in Japan and other Asian coun-
tries. In the chemicals business, the Group has been 
working on the enhancement of its manufacturing bases 
with  a  focus  on  Southeast  Asia,  where  infrastructure 
development is progressing.

Utilizing such a global network, the AGC Group strives 
to expand businesses and grow even deeper roots in 
local  communities,  while  exploring  opportunities  to 
develop new business areas.

Sales Ratio1 (As of the end of December 2015)

The Americas

11%

Europe

22%

2015
Net Sales

1,326.3

billion yen

Japan/Asia

67%

15

AGC Report 2016

1 Sales Ratio calculated from sales to external customers.

EUROPE

THE
AMERICAS

Japan/Asia

Europe

The Americas

Percentage of
sales by region

67%

Percentage of
sales by region

22%

Percentage of
sales by region

11%

Main Products

Main Products

Main Products

Architectural glass
Automotive glass
Display glass

Electronic materials
Chemicals
Ceramics

Architectural glass
Automotive glass
Chemicals

Architectural glass
Automotive glass

Electronic materials
Chemicals

Employees

Approximately

30,600

Employees

Approximately

16,200

Employees

Approximately

4,100

AGC Report 2016 16

Business Overview

GLASS

The AGC Group provides diverse products and
solutions as a leading architectural glass and
automotive glass manufacturer.

Architectural Glass Business

The AGC Group’s architectural glass business supplies a wide 
range  of  products—such  as  float  glass,  fabricated  glass, 
decorative glass and glass for photovoltaic devices—which 
are tailored to the needs of each region and client. The AGC 
Group is also committed to the development and sale of 
functional  glass  products  that  offer  comfort  and  reduce 
environmental  impact.  For  buildings,  the  AGC  Group 
provides glass with solar control and heat insulation, and glass 

with anti-condensation and anti-reflective properties. The 
Group’s architectural glass business holds a world-leading 
market share.

Market share rankings for main products
(Based on fiscal 2015 estimates by AGC)

Float glass
Global No.1

Low emissivity (Low-E) insulating glass unit
High solar control and heat insulation properties

“ATTOCH™” Low-E glass for
on-site retrofitting installation
Ideal for remodeling buildings and stores

“Clearsight™” anti-reflective glass
Minimizing light reflections on the glass surface

“Lacobel™” painted glass for indoor applications
Outstanding coloring properties making
interiors look brighter

Coating glass
Suitable for all climates

“Sunjoule™” building integrated
photovoltaic devices
Glass with integrated photovoltaics

17

AGC Report 2016

Automotive Glass Business

The  AGC  Group’s  automotive  glass  business  holds  a 
world-leading market share in the sale of laminated glass and 
tempered glass. The Group makes use of its global market-
ing  functions,  production  networks  and  cutting-edge 
technologies  to  pursue  greater  product  safety,  design, 
comfort  and  environmental  performance.  It  has  a  wide 
variety of products, including UV cut glass, infrared ray cut 
glass, water repellent glass for doors and glass antennas.

Market share rankings for main products
(Based on fiscal 2015 estimates by AGC)

Automotive glass
Global No.1

“Temperlite™” tempered automotive glass
Several times the strength of general-purpose flat glass

“Lamisafe™” laminated automotive glass
Designed with safety in mind, shatterproof even when broken

“UV Verre Premium™” series for automotive glass
A global first!1 All-around 99% UV cut, providing
safety and comfort in the vehicle
1 AGC survey as of November 2015 (when single-glazed glass 

is used for everything but the windshield)

Light Control glass “WONDERLITE™”
Contributing to improved in-car comfort and
energy conservation

Glass for railroads
Outstanding weather resistance, sound insulation
and heat insulation 

Architectural glass  
pursues superior design,
improved comfort and
reduced environmental impact

AGC Report 2016 18

Business Overview

ELECTRONICS

The AGC Group will continue to offer
high value-added products and solutions that support
the evolution of the electronics industry.

Display Business

In its display business, the AGC Group holds a number-two global market share in 
glass substrates used for thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The 
Group leverages its unique manufacturing methods and advanced production 
techniques to increase its global competitiveness, while focusing on developing 
materials for next-generation display devices.

Market share rankings for main products
(Based on fiscal 2015 estimates by AGC)

Glass substrates for TFT-LCDs
Global No.2

Applied Glass Materials Business

With a view to offering new value in the marketplace, the AGC Group established 
its Applied Glass Materials General Division in January 2015 by integrating opera-
tions that had previously been divided among its glass business and electronics 
business. The division is promoting the advantages of the Group’s “thin, light and 
strong” specialty glass in an effort to create new applications, while broadening 
the Group’s product lineup, which includes cover glass for smartphones and tablet 
devices, and glass substrates for photovoltaic devices and touch panels.

Glass substrates for TFT-LCDs
Key materials for LCD displays

“Leoflex™” chemically strengthened specialty glass
Used for various applications in architecture, solar cells and more

“Dragontrail™ X” specialty glass for
chemical strengthening
Cover glass for electronic devices

Glass substrates for touch panels
The world’s thinnest electronic device glass

TCO substrates for photovoltaic devices
Improving the power generating efficiency of
thin film silicon photovoltaic devices

“XCV™” glass for light guide plates
Enabling liquid crystal displays to be made thinner

19

AGC Report 2016

Electronic Materials Business

In its electronic materials business, the AGC Group contrib-
utes to the most advanced sectors of the electronics indus-
try  by  applying  the  leading-edge  technologies  it  has 
fostered in its glass, chemicals, and ceramics businesses, 
including  material,  processing,  surface  treatment  and 
molding technologies. The business supplies a wide lineup 
of  products,  such  as  synthetic  quartz  glass—a  product 
boasting a world-leading market share—as well as high-pu-
rity silicon carbide (SiC) jigs and other semiconductor man-

ufacturing components, CMOS/CCD blue filters and other 
optical materials for smartphones and digital cameras, and 
glass frit and paste display materials for electrical insulation 
and sealing. 

Market share rankings for main products
(Based on fiscal 2015 estimates by AGC)

Quartz materials for stepper lenses
Global No.1

CMOS/CCD blue filter
Enabling image sensors to match the luminosity
of the human eye

Synthetic quartz glass
Ensuring high quality in semiconductor processing

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry and
polishing solutions
Enabling multi-layered components to be made
extremely flat and even

Glass frit
Used for electrical insulation, airtight seals, and
other applications in various industries

“Roiceram™-HS” high-purity SiC jigs
Used for heat treatment and other
semiconductor processes

Glass substrates for TFT-LCDs
contribute to innovations in
image display technology

AGC Report 2016 20

Business Overview

CHEMICALS

The AGC Group’s products and solutions
help create an affluent, safe and secure society
while promoting environmental conservation.

Chemicals Business

The AGC Group’s chemicals business originally began with 
the  production  of  soda  ash,  the  main  raw  material  for 
producing glass. 

The Group subsequently developed a wide variety of 
products through its own chemical chain, which enables full 
use of by-products generated through chemical reaction 
process. While working to keep its environmental impact to 
a minimum, the AGC Group supplies a broad lineup of prod-

ucts ranging from basic chemicals like caustic soda to highly 
functional chemicals such as Fluon® ETFE, which holds the 
number-one global market share for fluorinated resins.

Market share rankings for main products
(Based on fiscal 2015 estimates by AGC)

Fluorinated resins (Fluon® ETFE)
Global No.1

The AGC Group’s Chemical Chain
Chlor-alkali and urethanes

Fluorochemicals and specialty chemicals

Methane

Fluorite

Hydrofluoric
acid

Gases and solvents

Chlorinated
solvents

Chlorine

Chloroform

HCFC-22

Tetrafluoro-
ethylene

Raw salt

Potassium
chloride

Electrolysis

Liquid chlorine
Sodium
hypochlorite 

Caustic soda

Sodium
bicarbonate

Vinyl chloride
monomer

Vinyl chloride
polymer

Caustic
potash

Potassium
carbonate

Epichlorohydrin

Fluorochemicals

Fluorinated gas recovery 
and processing

Fluorinated solvents
ASAHIKLIN™
AMOLEA™
HFO-1234yf

Fluorinated water & oil repellents
AsahiGuard™ E-SERIES

Fluoropolymer
Fluon®

Fluoropolymer film
Fluon® ETFE FILM 
F-CLEAN™

Fluoroelastomers
AFLAS™

Transparent amorphous
fluoropolymer
CYTOP™

Fluoropolymer ion-exchange
membrane  
Flemion™

Fluoroplymer resin for coatings
LUMIFLON™

Hydrogen

Propylene oxide (PO)
Propylene glycol (PG)

Polypropylene
glycol (PPG)

Polyurethanes

Fluorine containing pharmaceutical 
& agrochemical intermediates 
& active ingredients

Chlor-alkali

Polyurethanes

Life science

21

AGC Report 2016

Chlor-alkali and urethane

In its chlor-alkali and urethane business, the 
AGC Group supplies highly versatile basic 
chemical  products—such  as  caustic  soda 
and sodium bicarbonate—used in various 
industries. In addition, its urethane-related 
products  are  used  as  raw  materials  in 
thermal insulation, vehicle seats and other 
products that are vital for providing comfort 
in our everyday lives.

Fluorochemicals and specialty chemicals
In  its  fluorine  and  specialty  chemicals 
business,  the  AGC  Group’s  fluorochemical 
products have gained a strong reputation for 
their  outstanding  heat  resistance,  chemical 
resistance  and  weather  resistance.  Led  by 
Fluon®  ETFE  fluorinated  resin—which  holds 
top global market share—the business’ wide 
range  of  high-performance  products  are 
used  in  various  industries.  For  example,  its 
fluorinated resins and fluorinated elastomers 

are commonly applied in the automotive and 
aircraft industries, and its fluoropolymer films 
and fluoropolymer resins for coating are used 
in the building construction industry. Likewise, 
its  multifunctional  materials  are  used  in 
electronic  devices  and  displays.  In  addition, 
the AGC Group contributes to the life science 
industry by supplying services and products 
such as pharmaceutical and agrochemical 
intermediates and active ingredients. 

“EXCENOL™” polymer polyols
Used for products like mattresses
and vehicle seats

“Fluon® ETFE FILM” Fluoropolymer film
Used for a wide range of applications due to its
excellent transparency and weatherability

“LUMIFLON™” highly weather-resistant
fluoropolymer resin for coatings 
Used for coating buildings and structures

Sodium bicarbonate
Used widely, including medical applications 
such as dialysis fluid

“HFO-1234yf” refrigerant for next-generation
vehicle air-conditioners 
Helping to reduce environmental load
Photo HFO-1234yf manufacturing plant

“Tafluprost” pharmaceutical active ingredients
Used in medications for treating glaucoma
Note A glaucoma and ocular hypertension therapeutic agent 

jointly developed with Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Fluon® ETFE FILM  
used for the Allianz Arena,
a soccer stadium in Germany

AGC Report 2016 22

Business Overview

CERAMICS/
OTHER

The AGC Group offers a variety of products and solutions 
that contribute to innovation in glass production
processes and environmental conservation.

Ceramics Business

The AGC Group’s ceramics business has a long history, dating 
back to 1916, when it began producing refractory bricks for 
glass melting furnaces. The business is now operated by AGC 
Ceramics Co., Ltd. With its core businesses in glass engineer-
ing, environmental and energy-related domains, the compa-
ny leverages its diverse lineup of refractory products and 
leading-edge engineering technologies.

In the glass engineering business, the company aims to 
help its customers improve energy efficiency and extend the 
service life of their glass furnaces, as well as ensure stable oper-

ations and lower lifecycle costs by supplying high-durability, 
high-performance fused cast bricks and related solutions.

In environmental and energy-related businesses, AGC 
Ceramics offers a wide range of ecological solutions, imple-
menting castable refractories that make industrial furnaces 
more energy efficient and reduce environmental load. The 
company also focuses on developing ceramic materials that 
help reduce global environmental impact, such as high-tem-
perature  fine  ceramic  fans  and  sputtering  targets  for 
eco-friendly glass. 

“Tough Coore™” ceramic material for
heat shielding road surfaces
Alleviates heat island phenomenon

“THERMOTECT™” high thermal insulating
ceramic furnace materials
Outstanding durability and heat insulation for
long-term insulation performance under high
temperatures, helping to reduce costs by
conserving energy

Castable refractories for industrial furnaces
Supporting stable operations with an
extensive lineup

Fused cast refractory bricks   
for glass melting furnace crown

23

AGC Report 2016

New Products

Products for New Markets
Combining diverse technologies, the AGC Group is creating products
with even higher added value for new markets.

For Next-generation Communications Markets
Making all the glass around us into an information interface

infoverre™ 
Glass integrated digital signage

Glascene™ 
Transparent glass screen

Transforming Glass into an Informational Device
by Integrating Liquid Crystal Displays 
Comprised of an LCD directly attached on building exterior 
or interior glass, infoverre™ digital signage creates the effect 
of images floating in the air. The AGC Group has enabled 
non-reflective, clear images by applying integrated optical 
technologies cultivated through its chemicals business.

Opening Up New Possibilities for Projectors
by Enabling Image Projection Onto Transparent Glass 
Manufactured using a unique process, Glascene™ is a glass 
screen that enables images to be projected onto it. This new 
type  of  screen  retains  its  transparency  while  images  are 
projected. The images can be projected from the front or 
rear sides of the screen, which can be produced at sizes over 
100 inches.

Just ordinary glass when 
not in use.

Attached to the windows of the Shin-Marunouchi Building in Tokyo, 55-inch 
infoverre™ LCDs show a range of advertisements. This product received a 
2015 Digital Signage Award in the Technology category. 

Glascene™ displays beautiful images while 
retaining its transparency.

For Next-generation Mobility Markets
Making vehicle interiors more comfortable with user-friendly touch panels

Cover Glass for Console Panels

Realizing More Comfortable and Reliable Touch Panel Oper-
ation through Electronic Device Cover Glass Technology 
In recent years, the automotive industry has been develop-
ing  technologies  that  integrate  the  operation  of  various 
vehicle equipment, including stereos, navigation systems 
and air conditioners. Having outstanding strength, scratch 
resistant and anti-reflective properties, the AGC Group’s 
Dragontrail™ cover glass for electronic devices is now used 
for the console panels of vehicle equipment.

AGC Report 2016 24

Innovation Management

The AGC Group is Combining a Diverse Range of 
Core Technologies to Drive All-New Innovations.

Core Technologies

A New Framework for 
Research and Development

As shown in the following diagram, the AGC Group has 
accumulated a diverse range of core technologies: glass and 
ceramic material technologies respond to various needs in 
society,  coating  and  glass  integration  technologies  add 
more value to products, and fluorine and chemistry technol-
ogies  are  used  for  creating  advanced  high-performance 
products.  To  underpin  such  research  and  development 
initiatives, the AGC Group is also working on the develop-
ment  and  sophistication  of  its  fundamental  technologies 
such  as  simulation,  analysis,  sensing  and  process  design 
technologies.

By combining and integrating these technologies and 
then drawing from the vast technological possibilities that 
result,  the  AGC  Group  intends  to  drive  innovations  that 
bring new value to trades and communities, while also meet-
ing  the  needs  of  customers  and  helping  resolve  the 
challenges they face. 

In January 2016, AGC Asahi Glass reorganized its research 
and development operations with the aim of developing 
more  competitive  and  innovative  core  technologies  and 
new products. As part of this reorganization, the new Innova-
tive  Technology  Research  Center  was  established  in  the 
company’s  Technology  General  Division,  and  given  the 
tasks of creating innovative core technologies and applying 
advanced fundamental technologies to promote progress in 
product development. At the same time, the New Product 
R&D Center was set up for the purpose of creating new 
products and solving technical issues concerning existing 
products.  The  Production  Technology  Division  was  also 
created  to  develop  and  refine  production  technologies. 
Based on an approach that integrates market and product 
development, AGC Asahi Glass is working on R&D in an 
agile manner while promoting close cooperation between 
five  relevant  organizations  in  its  Technology  General 
Division, which now includes a new Planning Division and 
Intellectual Property Division, and the R&D divisions of each 
respective In-house Company.

The AGC Group’s Core Technology Map

An R&D Framework to Achieve Greater Competitiveness

Creating New Value

Glass Integration 
Technologies
•Laminate technology
•Encapsulation technology

Coating Technologies
•Dry coating
•Wet coating
•Coating design

Glass Material 
Technologies
•Glass material design
•Glass forming 
technology

•Glass production 

technology

Fluorine & Chemistry
Technologies
•Fluorine chemistry
•Polymer materials
•Biochemistry
•Electrochemistry
•Nano-materials
•Inorganic materials

Ceramic Material 
Technologies
•Ceramic material

design

•Refractory materials

Fundamental Technologies
•Simulation technology  •Analysis technology
•Sensing technology  •Process design (engineering)

25

AGC Report 2016

Technology General Division
Responsible for fundamental/basic technology

Planning Division
Developed and promotes technological strategy

Innovative Technology
Research Center
Creates innovative
fundamental technologies

New Product R&D Center
Creates new products

Production Technology Division
Develops process-related
and engineering technology

Intellectual Property Division
Formulates and implements
intellectual-property-related strategy

Collaboration

Each In-house Company R&D Division
Responsible for product development technology,
production technology implement

Glass Company
R&D Division

Electronics Company
R&D Division

Applied Glass Materials
General Division
R&D Division

Chemicals Company
R&D Division

AGC Ceramics
R&D Division

The AGC Group’s Approach to Innovation

The AGC Group is Accelerating Innovation
Based on a Global Perspective and
a Medium- to Long-term Outlook 

To chart a course for its R&D over the medium and 
long terms, the AGC Group draws its own technology 
roadmap  called  “Technology  Outlook,”  which  is 
based on projections of the products and technolo-
gies that will be in high demand over the next 10 to 20 
years. To develop and commercialize such products 
and  technologies,  the  AGC  Group  also  creates  a 
business roadmap called “Business Outlook” which 
consists of survey results on whether they are suitable 
for the Group and can sustainably generate profits. As 
a  result  of  extensive  studies  and  analysis,  smart 
community-related markets have been identified as 
crucial R&D targets to explore in the future. The AGC 
Group is now moving forward with proactive R&D and 
business development in related areas. 

A  key  to  successful  commercialization  of  new 
products and technologies is a close link between the 
market and product development. Under an initiative 
called Global Technology Networking (GTNET), the 

AGC  Group  gathers  and  studies  leading-edge 
technological information and market trends through 
expert personnel sent to strategic locations in Japan, 
Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States, where 
universities  and  corporate  research  facilities  are 
concentrated.  This  activity  helps  strengthen  the 
relationship between marketing and product devel-
opment  operations  on  a  global  scale,  explore  the 
seeds  of  new  businesses,  build  on  the  Group’s 
technologies and expand business networks. 

Another  R&D  initiative  is  open  innovation.  By 
making  extensive  use  of  resources  from  outside 
through strategic business alliances as well as mergers 
and acquisitions, the AGC Group aims to accelerate 
technical  innovations  and  opportunities  for  new 
market creation, and shorten product development 
lead times. The Group also participates in national 
projects related to smart communities, collaborating 
with other companies and research institutions.

R&D Target Setting Process 
p

S

e

1

t

S

t

e

p

2

S

t

e

p

3

Identify seeds
for innovative technology
Establish and follow
a technology roadmap

Predict the potential
for commercialization
Establish and follow
a business roadmap

Set key objectives for R&D
with a view to create new value

Analyze social trends
and assess
technical potential

Analyze suitability
as a company business
and assess
business potential 

Smart community-related markets

Next-generation Mobility

Heat Management

Next-generation
Communication

Security and Safety

Life Science

New Energy
and New Green

AGC Report 2016 26

 
 
 
CSR Management

By Identifying Material Issues in CSR, the AGC Group Promotes
CSR Management within Corporate Management.

Approach to CSR and
Related Policies

CSR Promotion System

The  AGC  Group  Vision  “Look  Beyond”  (see  page  2)  is 
comprised of “Our Mission,” “Our Shared Values” and “Our 
Spirit.” This Vision provides the basis for the Management 
Policy AGC plus, through which the Group strives to offer 
added value (add a “plus”) to all stakeholders. By following 
this  approach,  the  Group  strives  to  both  foster  trust  and 
meet the expectations of the community and contributes to 
the creation of a sustainable society. 

In addition, the AGC Group has established “the AGC 
Group Charter of Corporate Behavior,” which outlines the 
corporate social responsibility expected of Group compa-
nies,  and  “the  AGC  Group  Code  of  Conduct,”  which 
clarifies the standards of behavior for all employees.

The AGC Group established the CSR Committee in 2005 as 
an in-house organization dedicated to promoting CSR. On 
the CSR Committee, the AGC Group CEO presides as the 
committee  chair,  while  the  heads  of  each  business  and 
corporate division deliberate over general policies and issues 
related to the Group’s CSR activities on a quarterly basis. 

The results of deliberations by the CSR Committee are 
shared globally across the AGC Group through subcommit-
tees specializing in compliance and risk management, as well 
as  Environment,  Occupational  Health,  Safety  and  Quality 
(EHSQ)  management.  The  information  is  then  reflected  in 
measures implemented by the Group’s In-house Companies 
and Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

CSR-related Policies

Social 
Responsibility

AGC Group

Business 
Environment

Charter of
Corporate Behavior

Group Vision

The Group’s corporate
philosophy for all business
and social activities

Management Policy
AGC plus

Code of Conduct

CSR Promotion System

CSR Committee (meets quarterly)

Deliberates over general policies and 
issues related to the Group’s CSR activities

Chair: Group CEO
Office: Group Corporate CSR Office

Subcommittees

•Compliance Committee
•EHSQ Management
•Enterprise Risk Management

AGC Group Charter of Corporate Behavior
The Group Charter sets forth and declares the perspectives that form the basis of 
our behavior to ensure that the AGC Group will remain a good corporate citizen.
AGC Group Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct sets forth standards to be observed by all Group members 
from the perspective of “integrity” in Our Shared Values under the AGC Group Vision 
“Look Beyond.”
Management Policy AGC plus
The  Management  Policy  sets  forth  the  course  of  action  for  all  the  Group’s  business 
activities providing social and business aspirations, guidelines and directives. It is revised as 
necessary to reflect changes in the business environment and circumstances of the Group.

Each In-house
Company/SBU

CSR Offices in In-house Company/SBU

Group companies world wide

Corporate Divisions

Corporate Planning
Division

General Affairs
Division

Legal Division

Support
and
guidance

Human Resources
Division

Purchase & Logistics
Division

27

AGC Report 2016

The PDCA Cycle and
Material Issues

The CSR PDCA Cycle

The AGC Group’s Stakeholders

In 2011, the AGC Group began to develop the CSR monitor-
ing framework based on ISO 26000 to assess the Group’s 
CSR  activities  from  the  perspective  of  stakeholders  and 
strengthen measures and policies that benefit the communi-
ty. As a specific initiative, it created a matrix that categorizes 
four types of CSR issues according to their importance. One 
of these categories, “issues for which a framework is to be 
developed and a commitment made to society,” is recog-
nized as being important for both the AGC Group and its 
stakeholders.  Accordingly,  the  Group  has  designated  this 
category as a priority material issue, and is disclosing related 
targets and results to stakeholders via its CSR website.

Customers

Shareholders
and investors

Society

Business
partners

Employees

Evaluation/
Requirements,
Expectations

Information
Disclosure

AGC Group

CSR Monitoring

Review of
CSR-related
Issues

Target-setting
for
Material Issues

CSR Activities

Matrix of CSR Issues

The AGC Group’s Material Issues in Relation to
ISO 26000 International Standards

Targets and results for issues covered 
in this section of the chart are 
disclosed publicly as the AGC Group’s 
priority material issues

Issues for which
information is to
continue to be collected

Issues for which
a framework is to
be developed and
a commitment
made to society

Issues for which
additional measures are
deemed unnecessary

Issues for which
a framework is 
to be developed

Material issues for the AGC Group

l

s
r
e
d
o
h
e
k
a
t
s

r
o

f

s
e
u
s
s
i

l

a
i
r
e
t
a
M

ISO 26000 Items

Core subjects

Issues

AGC Group’s
material issues

Organizational
Governance

Decision-making processes and 
structures

Organizational 
governance

Conditions of work and social 
protection

Human Rights and
Labor Practices

Health and safety at work

Fair working conditions

Occupational health & 
safety

Human development and 
training in the workplace

Human resource 
development

Prevention of pollution

Pollution prevention

The Environment

Sustainable resource use

Sustainable use of 
resources

Climate change mitigation and 
adaptation

Response to climate 
change

Anti-corruption

Fair Operating
Practices

Fair competition

Anti-corruption

Compliance with 
antitrust laws

Promoting social responsibility 
in the value chain

Social responsibility in 
the supply chain

Consumer Issues

Protecting consumers’ health 
and safety

Product safety

WEB

Please visit the AGC Group’s CSR website for more information about its CSR management and activities: http://www.agc.com/english/csr/index.html

AGC Report 2016 28

 
 
 
Corporate Governance

The AGC Group is Raising the Transparency and
Agility of Management Oversight and Execution.

Approach to Corporate Governance

Framework for
Management Oversight

Under the AGC Group Corporate Governance Basic Policy, 
AGC  Asahi  Glass  strives  to  strengthen  and  improve  its 
corporate governance with a view to ensuring its sustain-
able growth and raising the AGC Group’s corporate value 
over the medium and long term. 

The  Company  is  responsible  for  managing  the  AGC 
Group as a whole, beyond the conventional framework of a 
parent company and subsidiaries. On that basis, the follow-
ing is the Company’s basic approach to its corporate gover-
nance system:

• The management oversight function and management execution 

function shall be clearly separated

• In the execution of management, corporate functions and the

business execution function shall be clearly separated

Structure and Role of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of AGC Asahi Glass consists of seven 
directors, each appointed to a one-year term, and includes 
three outside directors, including one female director1. The 
Board  is  responsible  for  the  approval  of  the  AGC  Group’s 
basic policies and monitoring its management.

The Company first employed outside directors in 2002 
in an effort to enhance the management oversight function. 
Outside  directors  are  appointed  in  compliance  with  the 
requirements under the Companies Act of Japan as well as 
the  Company’s  own  selection  criteria  designed  to  ensure 
director independence.

Outside  directors  monitor  issues  concerning  the 
Group’s  business  management  and  offer  advice  to  the 
Board  of  Directors  from  an  independent  and  objective 
standpoint, based on their extensive experience in global 

Overview of Corporate Governance Structure (as of March 30, 2016)

t
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g
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v
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t
u
M

Corporate Auditors: 4 Auditors
(Including 3 Outside
Corporate Auditors)

Accounting Auditor

General Meeting of Shareholders

Board of Directors: 7 Directors
(Including 3 Outside Directors)

Chairman

President & CEO
Senior Executive Officer CTO
Senior Executive Officer CFO

Nominating Committee:
5 Directors
(Including 3 Outside Directors)

Compensation Committee:
5 Directors
(Including 3 Outside Directors)

Executive Officers

Management Committee

CSR Committee

Compliance Committee

Fair Trade Committee

Internal Audit Division

Group
Corporate

Information Management Council

Security Export Control Headquarters

In-house Companies/Strategic Business Unit (SBU)2

e
t
a
r
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i
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B

2 An In-house Company is defined as a business unit with net sales exceeding 200 billion yen which conducts its business globally. At present, there are three In-house Companies: the Glass Company, 

the Electronics Company and the Chemicals Company. Business units smaller than this are defined as Strategic Business Units (SBUs).

29

AGC Report 2016

 
 
 
 
corporate  management  and  knowledge  of  corporate 
governance  related  issues.  In  principle,  meetings  of  the 
Board of Directors are chaired by an outside director.

1 As of March 30, 2016

Meetings of the Board of Directors in Fiscal 2015

Meetings held

Attendance rate of members of the Board of Directors 

13

95%

Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Board of Directors
The effectiveness of the Board of Directors of AGC Asahi 
Glass is subject to assessments and evaluations. As a result 
of  the  assessments, it  was  confirmed  that  the  Company’s 
Board of Directors is effectively fulfilling its responsibilities 
of overseeing management execution and approving basic 
action plans for the AGC Group.

Structure and Roles of the Nominating Committee and 
Compensation Committee

AGC Asahi Glass established its Nominating and Compensation 
Committees in 2003 as voluntary advisory committees of the 
Board of Directors.

Committee Activities in Fiscal 2015

Number of
members

Duties

Nominating 
Committee

5 Directors 
(of which 3 
are outside 
directors)

Deliberate on candidates for 
director and executive officer 
positions, and make 
recommendations to the 
Board of Directors

Compensation 
Committee

5 Directors 
(of which 3 
are outside 
directors)

Deliberate on the compensation 
system for directors and 
executive officers, directors’ 
compensation limits and 
bonuses to be reported to the 
general shareholders meeting, 
and the amount of compensation 
for executive officer

Number of
meetings
held

3 times

8 times

Structure and Role of the Board of Corporate Auditors
The Board of Corporate Auditors audits the performance of 
directors  by  attending  important  meetings,  including 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Management 
Committee,  and  by  holding  regular  meetings  with  repre-
sentative  directors.  The  corporate  auditors  also  enhance 
the  effectiveness  of  auditing  by  exchanging  views  and 

checking  information  concerning  audit  results  and  other 
matters  in  cooperation  with  accounting  auditor  and  the 
Internal  Audit  Division.  As  of  March  30,  2016,  AGC  Asahi 
Glass  employed  four  corporate  auditors  in  total,  of  which 
three were outside corporate auditors.

Meetings of the Board of Corporate Auditors in Fiscal 2015

Meetings held

13

Attendance rate of members of the Board of Corporate Auditors

100%

Ensuring the Independence of Outside Directors and 
Outside Corporate Auditors

AGC Asahi Glass has set standards to ensure the indepen-
dence of outside directors and outside corporate auditors.
To  help  enable  outside  directors  to  effectively  oversee 
operations, the Corporate Planning Division, which serves as 
the Secretariat of the Board of Directors, provides them with 
relevant information and documents prior to Board of Directors 
meetings, as well as comprehensive explanations of issues to 
be debated by the Board in advance when necessary.

Similarly,  the  Secretariat  of  the  Board  of  Corporate 
Auditors  assists  outside  corporate  auditors  by  holding 
Board of Corporate Auditors meetings, attending import-
ant meetings, and helping them coordinate meetings with 
representative directors and accounting auditor.

Framework for
Management Execution

At AGC Asahi Glass, the management execution function is 
the responsibility of executive officers below the president 
& CEO. As an advisory committee to the president & CEO, 
the  Company  establishes  the  Management  Committees 
and  discusses  business  management  monitoring  and 
decisions  regarding  management  execution.  A  system  of 
In-house  Companies  (quasi-subsidiaries  within  the  Group) 
has  been  introduced  and  a  global  consolidated  manage-
ment system is adopted with regard to business execution. 
Much of the responsibility and authority for business execu-
tion  has  been  delegated  to  the  In-house  Companies  and 
Strategic Business Units.

AGC Report 2016 30

Corporate Governance

Compensation System

Basic Philosophy on Compensation System for Directors 
and Corporate Auditors

In its Compensation Principles, AGC Asahi Glass sets out its 
basic stances and philosophies on overall compensation for 
officers as follows.

• The  compensation  system  shall  be  one  that  enables  the
Company to attract, secure and reward diverse and talented
personnel,  in  order  to  establish  and  expand  the  Company’s
edge over its peers.

• The compensation system shall be one that promotes continued 
improvement  of  corporate  value,  and  in  this  way  allows
shareholders and management to share gains

• The compensation system shall be one that gives motivations to 
achieve performance goals relating to management strategies
for the AGC Group’s continuous development. 

The amount of the Bonuses, which is aimed at motivat-
ing  recipients  to  achieve  their  single-fiscal-year  business 
results  goals,  varies  depending  on  consolidated  business 
results for a single fiscal year. The stock compensation-type 
stock  options  are  intended  to  allow  recipients  to  share 
benefits  and  risks  associated  with  stock  price  fluctuations 
with  our  shareholders,  and  enhance  their  motivation  and 
morale so as to raise business results and corporate value 
on a medium to long term basis.

Compensation Determination Process
The Compensation Committee deliberates on matters such 
as  the  compensation  system  and  level  for  directors  and 
executive  officers  based  on  the  Compensation  Principles, 
makes proposals regarding them to the Board of Directors, 
and verifies the results of compensation payments in order 
to increase the objectivity and transparency of the compen-
sation determination process.

• The  decision-making  process  of  determining  compensation

Compensation to Directors and Corporate Auditors1 in Fiscal 2015

shall be objective and highly transparent

Composition of Compensation for Directors and 
Corporate Auditors

Under  the  company’s  compensation  system,  directors  who 
also serve as executive officers receive a fixed monthly salary, 
performance-linked bonuses, and stock compensation-type 
stock options, while directors who do not serve as executive 
officers receive a fixed monthly salary and stock compen-
sation-type  stock  options.  Meanwhile,  outside  directors 
and corporate auditors only receive a monthly salary.

Composition of Compensation for Directors and Corporate Auditors

Type of compensation

Eligible persons

Directors Fixed 

compensation

Monthly 
compensation

All directors

Performance-linked 
compensation

Performance-linked 
bonuses

Directors who also 
serve as executive
officers

Stock 
compensation-type 
stock options

Directors excluding 
outside directors

Corporate 
auditors

Fixed
compensation

Monthly
compensation

All corporate
auditors

Number of
recipients

Total payment
(millions of yen)

All directors

Outside directors only

All corporate auditors

Outside corporate auditors only

9

3

6

5

439

46

93

57

1  Figures  include  remuneration  to  a  total  of  four  directors  and  corporate  auditors  (including 

outside corporate auditors) who either retired or resigned in March 2015.

Internal Control

In  response  to  the  enactment  of  the  Companies  Act  of 
Japan,  AGC  Asahi  Glass  established  a  basic  policy  for 
internal control in May 2006, with the aim of confirming that 
its  business  execution  systems,  including  the  compliance 
system, were functioning appropriately.

Furthermore, the Company adopted an internal control 
reporting  system  in  compliance  with  Japan’s  Financial 
Instruments  and  Exchange  Act,  and  on  that  basis,  created 
the  AGC  Group  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting 
Implementation Regulations, and is maintaining and imple-
menting the system to ensure sound financial reporting.

31

AGC Report 2016

Board of Directors, Corporate Auditors and Executive Officers

Board of Directors

Kazuhiko Ishimura
Representative Director & Chairman

Takuya Shimamura
Representative Director and President & CEO

Yoshinori Hirai
Director

Shinji Miyaji
Director

Masahiro Sakane
Director (Outside)

Hiroshi Kimura
Director (Outside)

Masako Egawa
Director (Outside)

Appointed in March 2011
Member of the Nominating Committee and 
Compensation Committee
Councilor to Komatsu Ltd.
Outside Director of Tokyo Electron Ltd.
Outside Director of Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Outside Director of Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.
Outside Director of Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Outside Director of Kajima Corporation

Appointed in March 2013
Member of the Nominating Committee and 
Compensation Committee
Special Advisor to Japan Tobacco Inc.
Outside Director of Nomura Holdings, Inc.

Appointed in March 2014
Member of the Nominating Committee and 
Compensation Committee
Professor, Graduate School of Commerce and 
Management, Hitotsubashi University
Outside Director of Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
Outside Director of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

Executive Officers

President & CEO
Takuya Shimamura
CEO
Leader of AGC Group 
Improvement Activities

Executive Vice President
Yoshiaki Tamura
President of Glass Company

Senior Executive Officers
Marehisa Ishiko
GM of Automotive General 
Division, Glass Company

Jean-François Heris
GM of Building & Industrial 
General Division, Glass Company; 
President & CEO of AGC Glass 
Europe

Yoshinori Hirai
CTO
GM of Technology General 
Division; Oversight of Electronics 
Company and Applied Glass 
Materials General Division
Deputy Leader of AGC Group 
Improvement Activities

Tetsuo Tatsuno
GM of Finance & Control Division

Shinji Miyaji
CFO
GM of Corporate Planning 
Division
GM of Export 
Compliance Control Directorate
Deputy Leader of AGC Group 
Improvement Activities

Yoshinori Kobayashi
President of Electronics Company

Masao Nemoto
President of Chemicals Company

Executive Officers
Tadayuki Oi
GM of Strategy & Planning Office, 
Glass Company

Shinichi Kawakami
GM of General Affairs Division

Akinobu Shimao
President of AGC Ceramics Co., 
Ltd.

Tomoya Takigawa
GM of Innovative Technology 
Research Center, Technology 
General Division

Takashi Shimbo
Chief Representative of AGC 
Group for China

Kimikazu Ichikawa
Chief Representative of AGC 
Group for Southeast Asia

Kazuaki Koga
GM of Essential Chemicals 
General Div., Chemicals Company

Kenzo Moriyama
GM of Strategy & Planning Office, 
Corporate Planning Division

Kazuyoshi Watanabe
GM of Display Glass General Div., 
Electronics Company

Takashizu Minato
GM of Performance Chemicals 
General Div., Chemicals Company

Kihachiro Okamoto
Deputy GM of Automotive 
General Division, Glass Company

Shigekuni Inoue
GM of Production Technology 
Div., Technology General Division

Hiroyuki Watanabe
GM of New Product R&D Center, 
Technology General Division

Takayasu Ide
GM of Technology Management 
General Div., Chemicals Company

Seigo Washinoue
Deputy GM of Display Glass 
General Div.; GM of Marketing & 
Sales Management Div., Display 
Glass General Div., Electronics 
Company

Masahiro Takeda
Deputy GM of Building & 
Industrial General Div., Glass 
Company; GM of Japan/Asia 
Pacific Div., Building & Industrial 
General Div., Glass Company

Takashi Misu
GM of Human Resources Division

Tatsuo Sugiyama
GM of Japan/Asia Pacific Div., 
Automotive General Div., Glass 
Company

Takahisa Sugiyama
GM of Electronic Materials 
General Div., Electronics Company

Note GM: General Manager

Corporate
Auditors

Shukichi Umemoto

Yasushi Marumori
(Outside)

Toru Hara
(Outside)

Hiroshi Kawamura
(Outside)

As of 30 March, 2016

AGC Report 2016 32

History

With Over 100 Years of History, the AGC Group Aims to Continue
Contributing to Society for Years to Come.

From

1900

From

1920

Time of Establishment

From

1940

Expanding Business Globally
1907
Asahi Glass Company established in Amagasaki, 
Hyogo Prefecture, by Toshiya Iwasaki (pictured).

1925
Shoko  Glass  Co.,  Ltd.  established  in  China  as 
Asahi Glass’ first business outside Japan.

1952
Agreement  concluded  to  export  caustic  soda 
electrolysis equipment to Indonesia.

1955
Deming  Prize  received  for  quickly  adopting 
quality management.

1914
The first export of flat glass to England.

1917
Headquarters moved to Tokyo.

1933
The  Asahi  Foundation  for  Chemical  Industry 
Promotion  (now  the  Asahi  Glass  Foundation) 
established to commemorate our 25th anniversary.

1956
Glass manufacturing subsidiary established in India, 
demonstrating progress in expanding internation-
ally ahead of other Japanese companies.

1937
Stocks listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

1957
Asahi Glass Scholarship Foundation established 
to commemorate our 50th anniversary.

Evolution of Products and Technologies

1909
Mass production of flat 
glass  using  a  Belgian 
method  of  producing 
glass with hand-blown 
cylinders  begins 
for 
the first time in Japan.

1916
In-house  production 
of  long-lasting  refrac-
tory bricks for melting 
furnaces begins.

1917
In-house production of soda ash, a key raw material 
for glass, begins.

1914-1918
First World War

33

AGC Report 2016

1928
Production of flat glass by the Fourcault process 
begins.

1954
Production of double-glazing units PairGlass™ 
begins.

1933
Caustic  soda  production  using  the  ammonia 
method begins.

1955
Manufacture of glass bulbs for television picture 
tubes begins.

1956
Automotive  glass  business  launched  on  a  full 
scale to respond to rapidly growing demand.

1938
Production  of  tempered  glass  and  laminated 
glass begins.

1939
Production of refractory bricks begins at the Iho Plant.

1923
Great Kanto Earthquake in Japan

1929
Beginning of the Great Depression in the United 
States

1939-1945 
Second World War

1951
Treaty of San Francisco concluded

1953
Television broadcasting begins in Japan

1954-1957 
Economic boom in Japan

From

1960

From

1980

From

2000

Period of Growth and Expansion

Toward Global Operations

1964
Entry into Thailand’s flat glass market.

1981
Glaverbel  S.A.  in  Belgium  acquired.  Full-scale 
entry in Europe’s flat glass market.

2002
Creation of AGC Group Vision,
In-house Company system introduced.

.

1972
Glass  production  operations  commence  in 
Indonesia.

1985
Full-scale entry of the automotive glass business 
in the United States.

1986
Full-scale  entry  of  the  chlor-alkali  business  in 
Indonesia.

1997
Entry into Russia’s glass market.

2007
Group brand unified as “AGC” 
to mark its 100th anniversary.

2013
The Brazil Plant, one of 
the most environmen-
tally  friendly  factories 
in South America starts 
operation. Entry into 
Brazil’s flat glass market.

2013
Regional headquarters established in Singapore 
with the aim of business expansion in Southeast 
Asia.

2015
“AGC plus” management policy implemented.

1961
Production  of  propylene  oxide  and  propylene 
glycol begins.

1980
AZEC System, a new ion-exchange membrane 
electrolyzer, developed.

2005
Sales of automotive door glass that blocks infra-
red rays launched.

1966
Production of float glass begins.

1972
Product  development  of 
AsahiGuard™ water and oil 
repellants and Aflon™ COP 
fluorinated resins begins.

1975
Development of the Flemion™ 
fluoropolymer ion-exchange 
membrane electrolysis method 
for manufacturing caustic soda.

1982
Production of fluoropoly-
mer  resin  for  coatings 
(LUMIFLON™) begins.

1990
CYTOP™ transparent 
amorphous  fluoropoly-
mer developed.

1995
Production of glass substrates for TFT-LCDs begins.

2008
High-performance Fluon® ETFE FILM used for 
various sports venues at the global sports event 
in Beijing.

2011
Worldwide sales of Dragontrail™ glass for smart-
phones and tablet computers begin.

2011
UV  Verre  Premium  Cool  on™  tempered  glass 
for automotive door windows sales begin.

2015
Supply of HFO-1234yf, a next-generation auto-
mobile refrigerant with a low environmental bur-
den, begins.

1960
Color television broadcasting begins in Japan

1983
Birth of the Internet

2003
Terrestrial digital broadcasting begins in Japan

1964
Tokaido shinkansen bullet train service commenc-
es in Japan and the Olympic Games held in Tokyo

1970
Expo ’70 world’s fair held in Osaka

1973 and 1979 
First and second oil crises

1985
Plaza Accord concluded

1993
European Union established

1997
Kyoto Protocol adopted

2008
Global financial crisis begins

2011
The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami 
disaster in Japan’s Tohoku region

2014
FIFA World Cup held in Brazil

AGC Report 2016 34

Main Communication Tools Used to Reach Each of Our Stakeholders

For customers
(including general consumers)

AGC Report 2016
(This report)

For all stakeholders

For shareholders and investors

AGC Asahi Glass Website
www.agc-group.com/
Provides information about the 
AGC Group more widely, timely 
and in more detail

Financial Review

Reports the AGC Group’s business 
outline and financial information 
including consolidated financial 
statements (PDF file only)

A Broad Overview of the AGC Group’s 
Corporate Vision, Business Strategies 
and Business Activities

For CSR-related experts1 and stakeholders with an interest in CSR

CSR Website 
www.agc.com/english/csr/

Provides a comprehensive report 
on the AGC Group’s efforts to 
fulfill its social responsibilities 
based on the “core” of G42

CSR Information Supplement

Reports on the AGC Group’s 
non-financial data and its various 
CSR policies and organizations for 
promoting CSR-related activities
(PDF file only)

1 ESG research agencies, etc.  2 The 4th edition of the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines

Scope

•Reporting Period
Fiscal 2015 (Jan.–Dec. 2015)
Some information includes content from both fiscal 2014 and 2016

•Organizations Covered in the Report

Asahi Glass and its 204 consolidated subsidiaries
(Group companies in and outside Japan)

•Primary Notation and Report Targets Used in the Report

The AGC Group
Same as “Organizations Covered in the Report” mentioned at left.
The AGC Group (Japan)
Group companies in Japan including Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
AGC Asahi Glass/the Company
Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. (on an unconsolidated basis)

Related Information

Date of Publication

WEB

Articles with this mark have related information on the AGC Asahi 
Glass website (www.agc.com/english/).

April 2016 (Last date of publication: May 2015)

Regarding Future Assumption, Forecasts and Plans
Future perspectives described in this report are based on the latest information available to the AGC Group at the time of editing this report. Nevertheless, please note that results and consequences may 
vary with fluctuations in the business environment.

www.agc.com/english/

1-5-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8405, JAPAN

Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Office,
Corporate Planning Division
Tel: +81-3-3218-5603  Fax: +81-3-3218-5390

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