TCR Engineering and Chugai Technos Sign MOU to Connect India and Japan in Inspection and Asset Integrity
TCR Engineering and Chugai Technos sign three-party MOU on 29 April 2026 to channel inspection and asset integrity services across regions.…
Global · TCR Japan
Japan, through the Chugai Technos alliance
One of TCR's seven operating countries, served in alliance with Chugai Technos of Hiroshima.
Chugai Technos Corporation (Japan Alliance)
Chugai Technos Corporation is TCR's Japan alliance partner, headquartered in Hiroshima and founded in 1953. On 29 April 2026 TCR signed a memorandum of understanding with Chugai Technos Corporation and Chugai Technos India Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru), pairing two founder-led technical services firms of similar vintage and temperament.
The alliance carries TCR's testing and asset integrity work to Japanese asset owners, and brings Chugai's drone inspection, Scale Checker, and environmental testing capabilities to Indian and Middle East owners.
The first operational fruit of the alliance is the Chugai Technos Scale Checker for internal oxide scale measurement on boiler tubes, now part of TCR's power-sector inspection stack (see Scale Checker). The wider alliance context, including the joint go-to-market logic, is covered under Alliances.
| Address | 9-12 Yokogawashinmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 733-0013, Japan |
|---|---|
| Telephone | +81-82-295-2222 |
ARTiS: reformer tube inspection and remaining-life assessment ／ ARTiS：リフォーマー管検査・余寿命評価
ARTiS is the reason to talk to TCR from Japan. It is the group's automated reformer tube inspection system: a robotic crawler that measures every tube over its full length and returns a Level III fitness-for-service assessment per API 579-1/ASME FFS-1, with a retirement date for each tube. English on the left, Japanese on the right.
| English | 日本語 |
|---|---|
| ARTiS in one line. ARTiS is TCR's automated reformer tube inspection system. A robotic crawler traverses the full length of every tube and returns four measurements, which feed a Level III fitness-for-service assessment under API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 and a retirement date for each tube. | ARTiSとは。ARTiSは、TCRが開発した自動リフォーマー管検査システムです。ロボットクローラーが管の全長を走査し、4種類の計測データを取得します。そのデータをAPI 579-1／ASME FFS-1に基づくレベルIIIのフィットネス・フォー・サービス（供用適性）評価に供し、管ごとの交換時期を算出します。 |
| Why it matters. Reformer tubes run above 800 °C under internal pressure. Creep appears first as diametral growth of 1 to 6 percent, then as mid-wall fissures and bowing. A rise of 10 to 20 °C in operating temperature roughly halves tube life. The question an owner actually needs answered is not whether a tube is damaged, but when to retire it. | なぜ重要か。リフォーマー管は800 ℃を超える高温と内圧の下で運転されます。クリープ損傷はまず外径の1〜6%の増加として現れ、次いで管中央部の亀裂および曲がりへと進展します。運転温度が10〜20 ℃上昇するだけで寿命は約半分に短縮されます。事業者が本当に必要とする答えは「損傷しているか否か」ではなく「いつ交換すべきか」です。 |
| The four measurements, one platform. Ultrasonic attenuation for creep voids and fissures over a 35 to 72 dB range; outer diameter to 0.1 percent creep strain; tube bowing quantified against an OD ratio with digital output; and effective tube metal temperature (T-Eff) with remaining life per API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. The crawler follows the same physics as a manual ultrasonic scan, but systematically and traceably over the whole tube. | 4つの計測を単一プラットフォームに統合。超音波減衰測定（クリープボイド・フィッシャー検出、35〜72 dBレンジ）、外径測定（クリープ歪み0.1%精度）、管曲がり評価（OD比基準で定量化、デジタル出力）、有効管金属温度（T-Eff）算出とAPI 579-1／ASME FFS-1に基づく余寿命予測。手動UT走査と同一原理を踏襲しつつ、ロボットクローラーが管全長にわたり体系的かつトレーサブルなデータを取得します。 |
| The record behind the reading. 80+ ARTiS reformer-tube inspections completed and 50,000+ tubes scanned cumulatively. Each result is read against TCR's in-situ replica reference base of 100,000+ microstructures by in-house metallographers, not by an algorithm alone. Crawlers cover tube outer diameters from 70 mm to 200 mm. | 判定を支える実績。ARTiSによるリフォーマー管検査の実績は80件以上、累計走査本数は50,000本以上。判定はTCRが保有する10万件以上の現地金属組織レプリカ基準データベースに照らし、アルゴリズム任せにせず自社の金属組織専門技術者が行います。クローラーの適用外径範囲は70 mm〜200 mmです。 |
| Who it is for. Owners of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol reformers: refineries, petrochemical complexes and fertiliser plants. | 対象となるお客様。水素・アンモニア・メタノールのリフォーマーを保有される事業者様、製油所、石油化学コンビナート、肥料プラント。 |
| How Japan is served. Japan is one of the TCR group's seven operating countries, served through the alliance with Chugai Technos Corporation of Hiroshima, signed on 29 April 2026. Samples from Japan are tested at TCR's NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory in Navi Mumbai (NABLT0726MH18640), whose reports are accepted in 90+ economies under the ILAC MRA. Enquiries in Japanese or English: sales@tcreng.com. | 日本での提供体制。日本はTCRグループ7か国の operating country の一つであり、2026年4月29日に締結した中外テクノス株式会社（広島）との提携を通じてサービスを提供しています。日本からお預かりした試料は、NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017認定試験所（ナビムンバイ、NABLT0726MH18640）で試験します。同認定に基づく報告書はILAC MRAにより90以上の国・地域で受け入れられます。お問い合わせは日本語・英語いずれも承ります：sales@tcreng.com。 |
Damage classification, ARTiS and API 579 ／ 損傷度判定区分
| Class クラス | Condition | 損傷状態 | Life consumed 寿命消費率 | Action | 対応方針 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | As-cast, sound material | 健全材（鋳造ままの状態） | — | Continue in service | 継続使用可 |
| 2 | Creep voids at the inner wall | 内壁部のクリープボイド | 40% | Continue in service; re-assess at the next inspection | 継続使用可（次回点検時再評価） |
| 3 | Aligned voids and cracking, inner to mid-wall | 内壁〜中央壁の整列ボイド・亀裂 | 55% | Increase monitoring | 監視強化 |
| 4 | Creep cracking, mid-wall to outer wall | 中央壁〜外壁のクリープ亀裂 | 75% | Plan replacement | 交換計画立案 |
| 5 | Macro-cracking through 75 percent or more of the wall | 肉厚75%以上のマクロ亀裂 | 100% | Replace immediately | 即時交換 |
Japanese-language documents ／ 日本語資料
One document is published in Japanese: the announcement of the memorandum of understanding signed with Chugai Technos Corporation on 29 April 2026. Both are also listed in the site document library.
What the memorandum carries, in both directions ／ 覚書がもたらすもの（双方向）
The memorandum of understanding signed on 29 April 2026 between TCR Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., Chugai Technos Corporation (Hiroshima) and Chugai Technos India Pvt. Ltd. (Bengaluru) is a two-way agreement. TCR testing and asset integrity work reaches Japanese asset owners; Chugai drone inspection, the Scale Checker and environmental testing reach Indian and Gulf owners.
What each side carries is set out below.
| English | 日本語 |
|---|---|
| Why these two firms. Both are founder-rooted, technically led inspection houses that have stayed independent across three generations in an industry dominated by global conglomerates. The shared view is that inspection is not a commodity but a trust contract between asset owner, inspector and regulator, built over years rather than quarters. | 両社が組む理由。いずれも創業家に根ざし、技術者が率いる検査会社であり、国際的な大企業が支配する業界にあって三代にわたり独立を保ってきました。検査は汎用サービスではなく、設備所有者・検査者・規制当局のあいだで年月をかけて築かれる信頼の契約である、という認識を共有しています。 |
| Into Japan, from TCR. Rail and weld butt-joint fatigue (IS 16172, ISO 15630, EN 10138, ASTM A1034), coupler and TMT rebar fatigue, creep and stress rupture (ASTM E139) including accelerated creep rupture for boiler tube remaining-life work, boiler tube failure investigation and remaining life assessment through TCR Advanced, sour-service corrosion testing (HIC per NACE TM0284, SSCC per NACE TM0177 Methods A to D), fracture toughness (CTOD per BS 8571 and ISO 15653, K1c per ASTM E399, J-integral per ASTM E1820, fatigue crack growth per ASTM E647), ARTiS reformer tube inspection for HK and HP modified alloy tubes, root cause analysis from a base of 9,000+ group investigations, high-temperature inspection to 350 °C, helium leak testing, and radiographic film digitisation, where TCR has converted 250,000+ films. | TCRから日本へ。レールおよび溶接突合せ継手の疲労試験（IS 16172、ISO 15630、EN 10138、ASTM A1034）、カプラーおよびTMT鉄筋の疲労試験、クリープ・応力破断試験（ASTM E139、ボイラ管の余寿命評価に用いる促進クリープ破断試験を含む）、TCR Advancedによるボイラ管の破損調査および余寿命評価、サワー環境腐食試験（HIC：NACE TM0284、SSCC：NACE TM0177 方法A〜D）、破壊靭性試験（CTOD：BS 8571およびISO 15653、K1c：ASTM E399、J積分：ASTM E1820、疲労き裂進展：ASTM E647）、HKおよびHP改良合金管を対象とするARTiSリフォーマー管検査、グループで9,000件を超える調査実績に基づく根本原因解析、350 °Cまでの高温検査、ヘリウムリーク試験、および25万枚超の実績を持つ放射線透過フィルムのデジタル化。 |
| Into India and the Gulf, from Chugai. Three blocks that complement rather than overlap the TCR catalogue. Drone structural inspection of bridges, tanks, flare stacks and heritage structures with crack detection to 0.2 mm, alongside TCR's 500+ bridge inspection record across India. The Scale Checker, a radioisotope system that measures scale, sludge and shellfish fouling inside live pipelines without removing insulation or stopping flow. And Japanese-grade environmental and emissions testing: stack and ambient monitoring, AIG, SCR, APH, ESP and FGD performance testing, PFAS analysis and greenhouse-gas inventory work, as Indian CPCB norms and Saudi NCEC standards tighten. | 中外テクノスからインド・湾岸諸国へ。TCRのサービス範囲と重複せず補完する三つの領域です。橋梁・タンク・フレアスタック・歴史的建造物を対象とし、0.2 mmのき裂まで検出するドローン構造物点検（TCRはインド国内で500件超の橋梁点検実績を有します）。保温材を外さず、流体を止めることなく稼働中の配管内部のスケール・スラッジ・貝類付着を測定する放射性同位元素方式のスケールチェッカー。そして、インドCPCB基準およびサウジNCEC基準の強化を背景とする日本水準の環境・排出測定（煙道および周辺大気の測定、AIG・SCR・APH・ESP・FGDの性能試験、PFAS分析、温室効果ガスインベントリ）。 |
| The Saudi leg. Work into the Kingdom runs through TCR Arabia, the joint venture with GAS Arabian Services (Tadawul: 4146), operating from Dammam under Country Manager (KSA) Syed Ameen Hassan, where Saudi Aramco and SABIC approvals are already in place. | サウジアラビアでの展開。王国内の業務は、GAS Arabian Services社（タダウル上場：4146）との合弁会社であるTCR Arabiaを通じて実施します。ダンマームを拠点とし、カントリーマネージャー（サウジアラビア）はSyed Ameen Hassanが務め、サウジアラムコおよびSABICの承認をすでに取得しています。 |
| A shared operating layer, not only shared methods. Under the memorandum, TCR shares its agent-based AI workflow layer and its LIMS methodology with Chugai. Most cross-border inspection alliances exchange test methods; this one also exchanges an operating system. | 試験方法だけでなく、業務基盤の共有。本覚書に基づき、TCRはエージェント型AIワークフロー基盤とLIMS（試験所情報管理システム）の運用手法を中外テクノスと共有します。国境を越える検査提携の多くは試験方法を交換しますが、本提携は業務の基盤そのものを交換します。 |
| The first public commitment. A joint stand at a major Japanese industrial inspection exhibition in September 2026, covering reformer tube inspection, drone inspection, materials testing, the Scale Checker and environmental testing. | 最初の公式な取り組み。2026年9月、日本の主要な産業検査関連展示会への共同出展を予定しています。リフォーマー管検査、ドローン点検、材料試験、スケールチェッカー、環境測定を出展内容とします。 |
TCR Japan in the Insights archive
These published insights record the Japan alliance and the work it was established to serve. 2 published insights on this site record TCR Japan work. The 2 most recent are below.
TCR Engineering Launches Revolutionary Scale Checker for Pipe Blockage Diagnostics in Partnership with Chugai Technos (Japan) at NDE 2025 Mumbai
TCR Engineering unveils Scale Checker at NDE 2025 Mumbai Dec 11-13. Revolutionary pipe inspection in 3 minutes. Visit TCR Advanced booth now…
Frequently asked questions ／ よくあるご質問
Does TCR have an office in Japan?
No. TCR does not maintain a physical office in Japan. Japan is one of the group's seven operating countries and is served through the alliance with Chugai Technos Corporation of Hiroshima. Samples from Japan are tested at the NABL ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited laboratory in Navi Mumbai (certificate NABLT0726MH18640), and reports are accepted in more than 90 economies under the ILAC MRA.
What was signed on 29 April 2026, and with whom?
A memorandum of understanding between TCR Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., Chugai Technos Corporation of Hiroshima, founded 1953, and Chugai Technos India Pvt. Ltd. of Bengaluru. It is a two-way agreement: TCR testing and asset integrity work reaches Japanese asset owners, and Chugai drone inspection, the Scale Checker and environmental testing reach Indian and Gulf owners.
What is ARTiS, and which plants is it for?
ARTiS is TCR's automated reformer tube inspection system. A robotic crawler traverses the full length of every tube and returns four measurements that feed a Level III fitness-for-service assessment. It is for owners of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol reformers: refineries, petrochemical complexes and fertiliser plants. 80+ inspections are complete and 50,000+ tubes have been scanned cumulatively.
Which Chugai capabilities reach India and the Gulf?
Three that complement rather than overlap TCR's own catalogue: drone structural inspection of bridges, tanks, flare stacks and heritage structures with crack detection to 0.2 mm; the Scale Checker, a radioisotope system that measures scale, sludge and fouling inside live pipelines without removing insulation or stopping flow; and Japanese-grade environmental and emissions testing.
Which documents are published in Japanese?
Two. The controlled ARTiS reformer tube inspection procedure, QCP/TCR/ARTIS/1.0 Rev. 0, and the announcement of the memorandum of understanding signed with Chugai Technos. Both are on this page under Japanese-language documents.
How does a Japanese client start?
Through the Request a Quote form on this site or through Chugai Technos in Hiroshima. Samples are shipped to the Navi Mumbai laboratory; ARTiS reformer inspection and asset integrity scopes are mobilised to site.
Reach TCR from Japan
Enquiries from Japan are handled by the Navi Mumbai laboratory and routed through the Chugai Technos alliance where field deployment in Japan is required. Write to sales@tcreng.com with your specification and sample details.
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