Under the agreement, the two companies will establish a joint Quantum Center of Excellence (Quantum CoE). The initiative aims to strengthen the group's internal capabilities in quantum technologies, develop specialized engineering expertise and integrate quantum solutions beyond the pilot stage into active operations across KOBELCO's materials, machinery and electric power businesses.

During the first year of the Quantum CoE program, the partners will focus on engineering challenges where conventional computing methods struggle to manage large numbers of variables simultaneously.

Initial projects will include alloy and material design requiring a balance between different mechanical properties, production planning and production optimization under complex logistics conditions.

Rather than relying on proprietary software, JIJ will use its open architecture mathematical modeling platform to transform these industrial challenges into algorithms that can operate on both classical and quantum computing infrastructures.

The long term implementation strategy will be aligned with the KOBELCO Group's "KOBELCO-X" corporate transformation program under its current Medium Term Management Plan.

The company aims to integrate quantum enabled optimization technologies into its core business processes to strengthen the competitiveness of its existing industrial operations while also creating new business opportunities.

JIJ will support the initiative by leveraging its international experience through its European operations and its memberships in the European Quantum Industry Consortium (QuIC) and UKQuantum, providing the software infrastructure required for this transformation.