In Japan, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. have acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for their jointly developed liquefied CO2 (LCO2) / methanol carrier. AiP acquisition for this type of carrier marks a world’s first. Technologies for converting CO2 into fuel or chemical products are attracting attention […]
In Japan, nanoplastics are an increasing threat to the ecosystem; however, their mobility in the soil is still underexplored. Against this backdrop, researchers from Waseda University and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology investigated the adsorption and aggregation behavior of nanoplastics in different types of soil under different pH conditions. The study […]
In Japan, Sumitomo Chemical has successfully developed technology to produce liquid crystal polymer from a monomer derived from biomass materials. LCP is a type of engineering plastic with high heat and fire resistance. It is used electric and electronic components in smartphones, automotive parts, and office automation equipment. Sumitomo’s process also completely separates biomass materials […]
In Japan, biotechnology firm bitBiome has partnered with an unnamed CMO for the manufacturing and supply of its enzymes, proteins and ingredients. bitBiome’s platform is built on their proprietary single-cell microbial genome analysis technology, bit-MAP®. Using bioinformatics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, bitBiome has used bit-MAP to create a comprehensive enzyme discovery and enzyme, pathway […]
In Japan, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (SHI) have jointly acquired Approval in Principle (AiP) from the Lloyd’s Register for the design of a 174,000 LNG Carrier equipped with Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology. The 174,000 LNG carrier will be equipped with a 300kW SOFC, supplied by Bloom […]
In Japan, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that on May 30, the Kohzan Maru VII, a newbuild methanol dual-fuel methanol carrier, was delivered at HD Hyundai Mipo. The Kohzan Maru VII will serve Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. under a long-term charter by MOL from Eifuku Kaiun Co., Ltd. She is the first methanol dual-fuel […]
In Japan, Nippon Yuka Kogyo Co., Ltd., an NYK Group company specializing in chemical R&D as well as the manufacture and sale of chemical products, announced the forthcoming release of BioxiGuard, the Japan’s first antioxidant specially developed for marine biodiesel fuel. This new product will be available from August 10. Biofuel is garnering increased attention […]
In Japan, Kyodo News reports the government will introduce 10% biofuel blends in different regions of the country from 2028 as it works to ramp up to nationwide roll out in 2030. The idea is to then boost to 20% a decade later. Where the blend is introduced will be decided this fall based on […]
In Japan, starch and oils are known as storehouses of carbon in plants. However, the way in which carbon resources are allocated during metabolism in plants remained unknown. Now, however, using a forward genetics approach, researchers from Chiba University have identified that a gene named LIRI1 regulates this process, significantly increasing oil storage in leaves […]
In Japan, Asahi Group Japan has unveiled LIKE MILK, Japan’s first yeast-derived non-animal milk. Containing similar amounts of protein and calcium, LIKE MILK is free from 28 major allergens. It will be available nationwide in 2026. The creation of LIKE MILK is a key element of Asahi’s efforts to promote food diversity, particularly for individuals […]
