We will realize our slogan “Eat Well, Live Well” by going beyond resolving food and health issues to contributing to the well-being of all human beings, our society, and our planet with "AminoScience."
The Ajinomoto Group's purpose is to contribute to the well-being of all human beings, our society, and our planet with "AminoScience." We have created a vast variety of new materials, functions, technologies, and services through the process of researching and applying the functions of amino acids for over 100 years. We have developed a unique scientific approach to maximize our resources, resolve social issues, and contribute to people’s well-being we refer to as "AminoScience." One of the sources of the Ajinomoto Group’s competitive advantage that no other company can easily imitate. By simultaneously working to contribute to the environment and to resolve health and nutrition issues connected to food systems, we will achieve two outcomes: reduce our environmental impact by 50% and help extend the healthy life expectancy of 1 billion people.
We will build profitable, unique, and solid businesses that leverage "AminoScience" in four growth areas (Healthcare, Food & Wellness, ICT, and Green). In each area, we will sustainably deliver social value through the solid growth of our existing businesses and business model transformation (BMX) to drive that growth. We have invested 25.8 billion yen in R&D (1.9% of sales, based on FY2022 consolidated results) as a resource to create new value. R&D drives the growth of the Ajinomoto Group’s businesses.
R&D system that connects with customers from the perspective of the entire group
Ajinomoto Group, centered on the two research centers in Japan, the Institute of Food Science and Technologies and the Research Institute for Bioscience Products & Fine Chemicals in Ajinomoto Co., Inc., together with the R&D bases of group companies in Japan and overseas, is engaged in R&D from a group-wide perspective, from research and development of fundamental technologies with an eye to the next generation, to product development optimized for local needs. In addition, Research & Business Planning Dept. in Ajinomoto Co., Inc. plays a central role in setting, evaluating, and allocating resources to research themes for the entire group, as well as managing the development of global human resources, the establishment of R&D networks, and support for business operations during the market introduction phase. These R&D organizations work in coordination with the business to develop open innovation and create new value together with our customers.
The number of R&D personnel has increased along with the growth of our business and now totals more than 1,700 people at our research sites around the world. We have highly specialized personnel in various fields such as food products, fermentation, biotechnology, biology, chemistry, engineering and other. Approx. 10% of them hold doctorate degrees.
