Tag: Japan

Japan funds six decarbonized circular-economy projects

September 8, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, Circular Economy Hub reports Japan’s Environment Ministry has selected six projects in the first round of its fiscal 2026 program supporting decarbonized circular-economy systems. The initiatives include one project focused on producing bio-methanol from domestically sourced timber, four plastic-recycling projects and one focused on second-generation bioethanol. Oji Holdings will demonstrate commercial-scale bio-methanol production […]

Mitsubishi Chemical brings seashell-inspired shine to cosmetics with plant-based DURABIO

September 7, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In Japan, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has announced that its plant-derived engineering plastic DURABIO™ has been adopted for use in the compact cases for Excia Eye Color Volonte, a premium eyeshadow from Japanese cosmetics company Albion. By combining DURABIO with other transparent resins and injection molding them, a “beautiful texture reminiscent of natural seashells is achieved,” […]

Japanese spinout launches proof of concept for CO2 capture from sewage sludge

August 31, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, Rhinoflux Inc., a Kyoto University spinout developing Hydro Chemical Looping (HCL) technology for distributed biomass power generation and CO2 capture, has launched a proof-of-concept trial with Swing Corporation, a leading Japanese water treatment company. The trial will test power generation and high-purity CO2 capture from sewage sludge produced at sewage treatment facilities in […]

Japanese researchers produce coconut waste-based SAF

August 26, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, with airlines and consumers increasingly concerned about carbon, nitrogen, and hydrocarbon emissions, biofuels have emerged as a green alternative. Among these, those made from coconut oils are particularly attractive as they have fatty acid chain lengths similar to the hydrocarbon chain lengths required for jet fuel, suggesting that they could make effective fuels […]

Self-healing anthocyanin film keeps tabs on meat freshness

August 24, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In Japan, researchers at Kyushu University have developed a self-healing meat freshness indicator out of plant pigment anthocyanins. The pigment works by changing from purple-red to yellow-green as food spoilage raises pH levels. The researchers anchored the pigments to a UiO-66-NH₂ metal-organic framework to keep the pigment stable. The framework was then suspended into a biodegradable […]

U.S Grains & BioProducts secures significant corn ethanol exports to Japan

August 13, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, the U.S Grains & BioProducts Council estimates that U.S. corn ethanol exports to Japan for use as ETBE reached approximately 197 million gallons in 2025, worth $400 million and accounting for roughly 90 percent of Japan’s total ethanol imports. The Council achieved this outcome with a $60,000 investment of MAP funds in FY 2025 — delivering an ROI of $6,700 for every $1 of MAP funds invested. […]

Hitachi and Japan Airlines pilot direct ocean capture

August 13, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, Hitachi, Ltd. and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct Japan’s first pilot test on Kume Island, Okinawa Prefecture, utilizing Direct Ocean Capture, a technology that directly separates and captures CO2 dissolved in seawater. In this pilot test, the three companies aim to confirm the applicability of DOC […]

Mitsui Chemicals invests in AI-powered bioplastic developer Materia Bioworks

August 10, 2026 | Rebecca Gendron

In Japan, Mitsui Chemicals has announced a minority investment in bioplastics developer Materia Bioworks. Based in Ontario, Materia uses computational chemistry and AI to efficiently design and formulate sustainable materials, including bioplastics. The company’s Material Application Prediction System formulates and designs materials to meet target performance specifications, including thermal, mechanical, permeability and physical properties. AI […]

Zeon launches demo plant producing butadiene from ethanol

August 6, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, Zeon Corporation has completed construction of a bench-scale facility at its Tokuyama Plant to demonstrate technology for highly efficient production of butadiene from ethanol derived from plant-based and other sustainable materials. Construction of the facility began in July 2025. This technology will advance the realization of a carbon-neutral society through the use of […]

Japanese researchers show promise of photocatalytic conversion of CO2

July 15, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to methane offers a promising route for carbon recycling, but its low efficiency and unclear mechanisms limit its practical use. Researchers at Chiba University have now examined how light-driven and heat-driven processes can work together in Ru–Ni–ZrO2 catalysts, achieving record methane production rates. This work clarifies the reaction […]

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