28 May 2025

As global industries increasingly turn to advanced materials research and quality control, demand for X-ray analytical solutions is accelerating across sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, and life sciences. In response, Japan-based Rigaku Corporation—one of the world’s leading manufacturers of X-ray-based measurement and inspection equipment—has opened a major new facility at its Yamanashi Plant, the company’s central production hub.

This expansion marks a pivotal milestone in Rigaku’s strategic growth plan. The new building, constructed on-site in Yamanashi, will become the cornerstone of Rigaku’s global manufacturing operations, significantly boosting both output and efficiency. With this development, Rigaku aims to double its total manufacturing capacity by 2027 (compared to 2022 levels), positioning itself to meet the needs of rapidly evolving high-tech sectors while ensuring robust supply chain resilience.

Meeting Demand in High-Growth Sectors

Rigaku’s expansion is driven by two primary objectives. First, the company is scaling its production to support explosive growth in cutting-edge fields such as semiconductor fabrication, advanced battery materials, and pharmaceutical R&D—industries that rely heavily on high-precision analytical tools to maintain quality, safety, and innovation.

Second, Rigaku is investing in greater production capacity for the core components that power its full range of instruments, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), computed tomography (CT), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) systems. These components, developed using Rigaku’s proprietary technologies, represent the company’s technological backbone and provide a key competitive edge in the global instrumentation market.

Transforming Yamanashi into a Smart, Sustainable Manufacturing Hub

With the completion of the new building, the Yamanashi Plant has expanded its total floor space by nearly 2.7 times—from 8,500 m² to 23,000 m². This consolidation allows Rigaku to centralize core processes—including manufacturing, assembly, and shipping of its X-ray systems—which were previously divided between its Tokyo and Yamanashi facilities. The result is a dramatic improvement in operational efficiency and a more stable, scalable global supply of high-quality equipment.

Rigaku is also implementing advanced automation and digital technologies at the Yamanashi site, with the goal of transforming it into a next-generation “smart factory.” Automation trials are currently underway, aimed at enhancing precision, reducing variability, and optimizing throughput across the production line.

Built for Sustainability

True to its corporate commitment to environmental responsibility, Rigaku constructed the new building using eco-friendly methods and materials. The facility is equipped with high-efficiency systems and solar panels to minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions. The company describes it as a "plant in harmony with nature"—a model of sustainable industrial design aligned with global ESG goals.

Strategic Significance for Global Growth

“This major expansion enables Rigaku to scale up manufacturing capacity while also elevating product quality,” says Jun Kawakami, President and CEO of Rigaku Corporation. “It strengthens our ability to produce the components that define our technological edge, supports our current customers, and allows us to reach new ones across international markets. This facility is a core pillar of Rigaku’s long-term growth strategy.”

Operations in the new building are set to begin in early June, gradually enhancing the company’s ability to meet surging global demand for advanced X-ray solutions.