THE 30STARTUPS OF KANSAI

A Kobe University spin-off startup working on the social implementation of “photo-manufacturing” (Hikari Monozukuri), which produces bio-based chemicals with light at low energy, low environmental impact, and low cost using methane derived from biogas generated from sewage, livestock manure, and food waste as a raw material.

Accelerating GX (Green Transformation) and DX (Digital Transformation) in the chemical industry through our proprietary “photo-manufacturing” (Hikari Monozukuri) technology—which produces valuable chemicals from waste and natural resources using light—thereby contributing to decarbonization, the SDGs, and economic security.

While methane gas is primarily used as a fuel, its application as a raw material for chemical synthesis is technically challenging. Our Group has developed the world’s first light-driven, on-demand chemical synthesis method using methane gas as a raw material, demonstrating the successful synthesis of various high-value-added chemicals from methane.

We are developing and scaling up photo-manufacturing processes at the KOBE Photo-Manufacturing Open Innovation Hub. Through carbon-negative photo-manufacturing, these efforts are expected to create groundbreaking, Japan-born innovations in global chemical manufacturing.