Since launching the product in the Japanese market in January 2002, Kobe Steel has been receiving many orders mainly from electronic equipment manufacturers. The Iwatani Naoji Foundation selected Kobehonetsu because of the product's practical application in effective energy utilization and its original technology that directly meets a wide variety of heat-dissipating needs.

Kobehonetsu was developed to meet the growing need in the electronics industry for materials that can dissipate heat. The zinc-galvanized steel sheet is covered with a special original coating that yields superlative heat dispersion qualities. Temperatures under equipment housings can be reduced anywhere from 4 to 10 degrees C. using the new material, according to Kobe Steel. The sheet is noted for its excellent workability and the outer film maintains its properties despite processing.

While Kobehonetsu has been most widely used in PCs, audio-visual equipment and related devices, Kobe Steel is working on new applications of the material. The company has also developed a similar product made of aluminum called Kobehonetsu Aluminum.

The Iwatani Naoji Memorial Award, which began in 1974, recognizes outstanding contributions in the resources and energy fields. デュエルビッツ プロモーションコードward was started by Iwatani Naoji who founded Iwatani International Corporation, a major energy and gas supplier. デュエルビッツ プロモーションコードward is under デュエルビッツ プロモーションコードuspices of Japan's Ministry of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and is administered by the Iwatani Naoji Foundation.

* Kobehonetsu is a registered trademark of Kobe Steel, Ltd.