Kao Corporation has opened a new research facility at its research and production site in Odawara City, in the Kanagawa Prefecture. “The Odawara Complex will have the largest range of research functions of any cosmetics research and production site in Asia. The new centre will bring together all beauty research and development functions from within the Kao Group to reinforce globally competitive value creation combining functional and sensory perspectives,” explained the Japanese cosmetics giant.
Kao’s Beauty Research & Innovation Centre (16,594 m2) is the first R&D facility belonging to a Japanese company to use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology. Thank to this equipment, Kao researchers will be able to analyse neural processes involved in emotions, affects and decision-making.
In July 2015, Kao also constructed a new factory building at the same complex, bringing the total amount invested since last year in equipment and facilities for the enhancement of research and production at the Odawara Complex to about 13 billion yens (126 million dollars).
“The opening of the Beauty Research & Innovation Center is a sign of the Kao Group’s determination to build an even more robust foundation for the future growth of its beauty business,” concludes the group.
