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miibio, Inc.
miibio, Inc. owns the technology that enables low-cost manufacturing of components for biochemical products by optically controlling microbial metabolism. Kensho Hayamizu, the CEO of this University of Tokyo-based startup, envisions replacing petroleum-based products with biomass-based products. We talked to him about his current work and his future. What is miibio’s biomanufacturing like? Biomanufacturing is manufacturing that harnesses the power of microorganisms. It’s a technology that uses, instead of petroleum, ingredients such as sugars, together with the activities of microorganisms, to…
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Yellow Duck Inc.
Yellow Duck Inc. is developing wave energy systems that harness the power of ocean waves to drive motors and generate clean electricity. These simple power-generating devices have minimal negative environmental impact, and the company aims to make them part of the world’s renewable energy infrastructure. The machinery is currently being verified, says Shigeo Nakayama, CEO of Yellow Duck Inc., as he tells us about his experiences and what he sees in the future. Please explain how Yellow Duck’s wave-activated power…
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BIOTECHWORKS-H2, Inc.
BIOTECHWORKS-H2 Inc. is developing a program that generates hydrogen (H2) from waste and then converts it into energy. This program can process a broad range of organic waste and can also decrease CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional waste incineration. Since the program can produce e-fuel (synthetic fuel) from waste collected anywhere in Japan, CEO Akihide Nishikawa believes that rolling out plants for this program across Japan will make the country an energy-producing nation. Please tell us…
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Jikantechno Inc.
The high-performance carbon that Jikantechno Inc. manufactures from agricultural residues can be found in many products we use every day, such as lithium-ion batteries, cosmetics, and car tires. Reaching commercial viability was a journey of trials and tribulations, says Takahiro Kinoshita, CEO of Jikantechno. Please tell us about Jikantechno’s business. Japan generates about two million tons of rice husks every year, and the waste disposal fees take a toll on rice growers who shoulder the costs. Jikantechno is the first…