The New Frontiers Research Laboratories was established in May 2003 as a facility positioned to spearhead Toray's groundbreaking inroads in basic research, with the following main goals in the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology.

1.Further strengthening the integrated research efforts in biotechnology and nanotechnology
2.Recruiting outstanding research personnel in Japan and from other countries who specialize in fields related to Toray business
3.Bolstering collaboration with universities and research institutes in Japan and abroad

Working toward these goals mentioned above and other goals, the New Frontiers Research Laboratories actively advances research in the emerging fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology, as well as in the domain of nano/biotech integration. More specifically, the research targets here encompass nano/biotech basic research (protein synthesis, analytical chips, DNA chips and drug-delivery systems); innovative medical treatments (cell therapies, etc.); bioprocesses (use of green bioprocesses and bioprocessing techniques to produce polymer materials from biomass); functional nano-tech materials (polymers and processing technology) and other advances in cutting-edge fields of scientific inquiry. In addition to this, as the ripple effects of this work, another important mission of the Laboratories is to supply the buds of innovative new technology to the core Toray business fields of fibers, textiles, plastics and chemicals products.

An added priority is to promote fruitful collaboration with outside research groups, with the New Frontiers Research Laboratories opening up laboratory space to other institutes. For example, Toray has invited the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research of Osaka University to the Laboratories to conduct research on protein synthesis and analytical chips as one part of the 21st century COE Program, as well as to promote a key phase of the Nano/Biotech Device Project organized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Location-wise, the New Frontiers Research Laboratories joined the existing Pharmaceutical Research Laboratories and the Toray Research Laboratories in Kamakura, effectively centralizing the Toray Group's biotechnology and pharmaceutical research resources in that district. This strategic move strongly supports the Toray quest to better pool and promote the full range of its prowess in both biotechnology and nano-biotech integrated research efforts.