On March 18, Shimadzu Corporation opened the Shimadzu Kobe Innovation Lab (hereinafter, “Kobe Lab”) at the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster located in Kobe city, Hyogo Prefecture. Kobe Lab will aim to expedite the development of useful microorganisms that can produce bioplastics from carbon dioxoide (CO₂). By achieving a 200-fold increase in the current processing efficiency of its systems and networks, Shimadzu anticipates that this will contribute to reducing the time required to develop useful microorganisms by 90%.This time saving will expedite the hitherto challenging development of useful microorganisms and mitigate the costs of bioplastic manufacturing, thereby contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality.

Since FY 2023, Shimadzu Corporation has been working with Kaneka Corporation, JGC Holdings Corporation, and Bacchus Bio innovation Co., Ltd. on a joint project entitled “Development of Polymer Synthesis Technology by Microorganisms Using CO₂ as a Direct Raw Material” (hereinafter, “the Project”) as part of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)’s “Green Innovation Fund Project”^*1 for “Promotion of Carbon Recycling Using CO₂ from Biomanufacturing Technology as a Direct Raw Material.” The Project aims to realize biomanufacturing whereby hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria^*2 undergo gas fermentation using CO₂ as the raw material to produce polymers which are stored within the bacteria. The accumulated polymers are then extracted and processed into bioplastics.

The newly-launched Kobe Lab will culture useful microorganisms in the laboratory to develop technologies for analyzing and evaluating the produced polymers and the gases generated in the polymer production process using various analytical and measuring instruments. At a semi-commercial plant to be constructed under the Project, Shimadzu will apply the technology developed at Kobe Lab to develop an evaluation system for measuring microorganism culture conditions and supporting safe and highly-efficient fermentation. Shimadzu will contribute to the research with our diverse lineup of analytical and measuring instruments including high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometers (LC-MS), gas chromatograph mass spectrometers (GC-MS), and ICP mass spectrometers (ICP-MS). By partnering with and integrating our expertise with Kaneka, JGC, and Bacchus Bio innovation which all have development hubs in Kobe, we will strive to realize recycling-oriented biomanufacturing technologies that are not dependent on fossil resources.

Shimadzu, Kaneka, JGC, and Bacchus Bio innovation are planning to jointly exhibit case studies on the use of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria at the Japanese Government Pavilion (commonly known as the Japan Pavilion) at the 2025 Japan World Exposition (Osaka/Kansai Expo).

The concept of “green” (GX) has been identified as an area of corporate value creation in Shimadzu’s medium-term management plan. Through open innovation in collaboration with various companies and research organizations, we will contribute to the development of green innovation that is conducive to the creation of a decarbonized society and the well-being of mankind and the Earth.

• *1: Green Innovation Fund Program: A project to support companies and others working on management issues toward Japan’s “Carbon Neutrality in 2050,” from R&D and demonstration to social implementation by FY 2030. The program covers 14 fields encompassing transportation/manufacturing-related industries including carbon recycling/materials industries, energy-related industries, and home/office-related industries.
• *2: Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria: Bacteria that use hydrogen as an energy source to produce organic matter while consuming CO₂.

Shimadzu Kobe Innovation Lab