Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd on June 17th 2008 received the Imperial Invention Prize, the highest honor of the National Commendation for Invention, together with the National Commendation for Invention Prize, from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation for its super high strength low alloy steel oil country tubular goods.

It is the first time for Sumitomo Metals and the first in about 20 years for the steel industry to receive the Imperial Invention Prize. The invention contributes to the prevention of the greenhouse effects, by helping increase the stable supply of natural gas, a cleaner energy source that is a source of less carbon dioxide than primary energy sources it replaces.