Carbon Neutrality

Koushi Chemical Industry is engaged in the design, production and sales of various products, mainly plastics. The company transforms discarded scallop shells into eco-friendly ”SHELLMET” helmets, utilizing ecoplastics derived from the shells. This innovation reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 36% compared with traditional materials. The helmet's design incorporates a unique rib structure inspired by scallop anatomy, resulting in about 33% greater strength than conventional helmets. Damaged SHELLMET helmets are also recyclable, either into new helmets or for use as building materials. By upcycling seashells, which previously contributed to around 40,000 tons of marine waste annually, the company is reducing industrial waste and helping preserve the seaside scenery of Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture, which are among Japan's leading scallop production areas.

DAIRI FPC CO., LTD. is a maker of wood building materials, engaging in forest management as well as the sales and production of framing components.
Based on a philosophy of integrated recycling manufacturing, from upstream to downstream, its AOLA subsidiary makes building materials and household goods painted with indigo dye, a local resource in Tokushima Prefecture, after growing indigo plants and converting indigo into paint.
In its wood operations, Dairi FPC aims for the complete recycling of domestic timber, by eliminating wood waste through biomass power generation.

Novelgen Co. is dedicated to research and development (R&D) on innovative solutions utilizing natural microalgae for carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption and fixation, water purification, and CO2-based protein production.
Its business model involves licensing proprietary technology to partner companies, enabling its large-scale implementation in society, and receiving license fees. In addition, the company provides comprehensive support to customers that adopt its technology, including microalgae cultivation maintenance, algae supply, and consulting services to address specific challenges.
Its technology maximizes the potential of microalgae to create sustainable solutions.
Microalgae grow and multiply through photosynthesis, absorbing CO2 dissolved in water as a carbon source. Cultivating microalgae can therefore capture CO2 and purify water simultaneously. Moreover, microalgae serve as a natural feed in aquaculture, facilitating sustainable protein production.
The company has the expertise and capability to customize its solutions for different water sources, ensuring they meet the specific needs of partner companies. Introducing its technology primarily to factories, power plants and water treatment facilities will help achieve both carbon neutrality and water neutrality, contributing to the resolution of global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity and protein security.

Photo-on-Demand Chemical Co., Ltd. is a startup that uses methane-- a main component of biogas generated from sewage,livestock manure and garbage--chlorine generated from the electrolysis of seawater,and oxygen contained in the air as raw materials to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates using light.Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential approximately 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide, and there is a strong need to reduce emissions of it into the atmosphere. The company manufactures and sells high-value-added chemical products using biogas as a raw material, employing its patented manufacturing method, which is safe, inexpensive, simple, and environmentally friendly. The startup aims to contribute to U.N. sustainable development goals by forming a hub for manufacturing using light under an industry-government-academic-finance consortium.

Renaissance Energy Research was established with the aim of developing businesses across a wide range of areas using catalyst-related technologies developed by founder Osamu Okada during his previous job, at Osaka Gas Co. Having obtaining rights from the earlier employer to manufacture, sell, and license related patents, Renaissance Energy Research sells catalysts for hydrogen production to chemical and oil companies in Japan and abroad. It also promotes applications of a carbon-dioxide selective permeable membrane developed in cooperation with Kobe University for carbon-dioxide separation and recovery. The membrane system developed by the company makes it possible to improve the efficiency, reduce the size and lower the cost of hydrogen stations. The company aims to promote application of the system to various fields,such as power genaration exhaust gas,biogas and DAC(Direct Air Capture).Meanwhile, it has successfully developed a carbon-dioxide methanation catalyst with excellent low-temperature activaity. It plans to advance the development of recycling technology for carbon dioxide recovered by membrane separation to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society.