Tokyo, Japan – Rigaku Corporation, a global solutions partner in X-ray analytical instruments and a group company of Rigaku Holdings Corporation (Headquarters: Akishima, Tokyo; President and CEO: Jun Kawakami; “Rigaku”), together with Kyoto University, Shimadzu Corporation, JEOL Ltd., Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi High-Tech Corporation, and HORIBA, Ltd., has established the Kyoto University Advanced Technology Development Alliance (KATALICE). The alliance brings together cutting-edge academic research and industry expertise to drive innovation in research and technology.

In July 2026, Kyoto University was designated as a University for International Research Excellence and is strengthening its research infrastructure and core facilities. As part of this initiative, KATALICE will create an open co-creation platform led by Kyoto University, bringing together Rigaku and other research and analytical instrument manufacturers and contract analytical service providers. Participants will collaborate flexibly based on their strengths, interests, and needs to advance technologies and instruments, analytical methods, technical talent development, and personnel exchange. By connecting academic research with industry technology development, KATALICE aims to strengthen Japan’s science and technology capabilities and create new social and economic value.

Overview
Name: Kyoto University Advanced Technology Development Alliance (KATALICE)
Date established: September 25, 2026
Participants: Seven organizations (six companies and one university)

  • Kyoto University
  • Hitachi, Ltd.
  • Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
  • HORIBA, Ltd.
  • JEOL Ltd.
  • Rigaku Corporation
  • Shimadzu Corporation

    Kyoto University serves as the core institution. The six companies are listed in alphabetical order.

Main Activities
1. Cutting-edge technological innovation
Combining Kyoto University’s fundamental research expertise with participants’ technological capabilities to create scientific and technological advances beyond existing limits.

2. Instrument development
Exploring the joint design and development of customized instruments and new prototypes on a project-by-project basis.

3. Human resource development
Training highly skilled technical personnel with expertise in instrument principles and applications, while fostering the next generation of researchers.

4. Advancement of analytical technologies
Advancing data analysis methods and algorithms, including AI, to enhance the use of existing instruments.

5. Evolution of the co-creation platform
Expanding the alliance as a platform for sharing knowledge in R&D, technology, human resource development, and other areas within the scope agreed upon by participants.

Background
As science and R&D advance, sophisticated research facilities and instruments, as well as the expertise needed to use them effectively, are becoming increasingly important. Universities also face challenges in upgrading research infrastructure, securing and training highly specialized technical personnel, and passing on technical expertise.
Kyoto University has cutting-edge research needs and extensive expertise in fundamental research across a broad range of fields, while Japan’s research and analytical instrument manufacturers, contract analytical service providers, and other organizations possess world-class technologies and expertise. KATALICE was established to connect these strengths across organizational and disciplinary boundaries and turn emerging research needs into next-generation technologies and instruments.

Key Features of KATALICE
KATALICE is an open co-creation platform with Kyoto University as its core, enabling participants to collaborate flexibly based on their respective strengths and interests.
Beyond individual collaborative research projects, the alliance will promote ongoing interaction between university and industry researchers and technical personnel. By sharing challenges and needs from research settings, participants will create opportunities for new research and analytical technologies and instruments.
The alliance will also use Kyoto University’s advanced research infrastructure and core facilities to demonstrate new instruments, technologies, and applications, while training highly skilled technical personnel to operate advanced research equipment.

Future Plans
Participants will discuss specific themes for technology development, personnel exchange, and other initiatives and move forward with those they agree to pursue. KATALICE will also seek to expand its network by welcoming new companies and organizations that support its objectives.
By continuously connecting cutting-edge academic research needs with industry expertise, KATALICE aims to create innovative technologies that open new frontiers in science, strengthen Japan’s science and technology capabilities, and create new social and economic value.

About the Rigaku Group
Since its establishment in 1951, the engineering professionals of the Rigaku group have been dedicated to benefiting society with leading-edge technologies, notably including its core fields of X-ray and thermal analysis. With a market presence in 136 countries and regions and some 2,000 employees from 9 global operations, Rigaku is a solution partner in industry and research analysis institutes. Our overseas sales ratio has reached approximately 70% while sustaining an exceptionally high market share in Japan. Together with our customers, we continue to develop and grow. As applications expand from semiconductors, electronic materials, batteries, environment, resources, energy, life science to other high-tech fields, Rigaku realizes innovations “To Improve Our World by Powering New Perspectives.”
For details, please visit: rigaku-holdings.com/english

Press Contact:
Sawa Himeno
Director, Communications Dept., Rigaku Holdings Corporation
prad@rigaku.co.jp