News Release
Launching collaboration toward the realization of a Decarbonized society through the use of photosynthesis
2020.06.15
We have signed a contract with CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION PTE. LTD. (hereinafter referred to as “Chitose”) to expand the scales of algae biomass cultivation and to collaborate on the development of algae-based products in order to build a society that makes extensive use of algae biomass.
Both companies will work together not only on an algae biomass project, but also in other fields of biology in order to create a Decarbonized and sustainable society. They will also work together on a large scale and stable production of algae biomass while developing products that make effective use of the algae.
XTG Holdings Co., Ltd. (Sugimori Tsutomu, President (hereafter referred to as “JXTG’”)) and Chitose (Fujita Tomohiro, CEO) have concluded a contract regarding the expansion of the scale of algae biomass cultivation and the development of algae-based products. Taking this opportunity, the JXTG Group and Chitose Group will collaborate in various bio-fields in order to create a Decarbonized, sustainable society.
Prior to that, JXTG took a stake in Chitose through JXTG Innovation Partners, LLC. (Yazaki Yasunori, President).
The JXTG Group is promoting efforts toward the realization of its goal of “contributing to a Decarbonized, sustainable society” as set forth in the “2040 JXTG Group Long-Term Vision*” and promoting environmentally friendly products while committing to become carbon neutral with regards to the company’s CO2 emissions by 2040.
The Chitose Group’s specialty lies in its technology for utilizing microscopic organisms such as microorganisms, algae, and animal cells, including large-scale algae culture technology that makes maximum use of photosynthesis. They are biotech ventures operating in a wide range of industries such as energy, food, and agriculture not only in Japan, but also in South East Asia including Malaysia and Singapore.
The biggest challenge toward building a society that makes extensive use of algae biomass is producing algae biomass in a stable manner on a large scale and developing various products that make effective use of it. In this collaboration, in order to solve the problem, we will work on expanding the scale of algae cultivation in Malaysia, which is located in Southeast Asia just below the equator, where solar energy is abundant, and at the same time, produce fuel, chemicals, animal feed, and functions derived from the algae will be produced there. We will work on the development of various products such as organic materials and work toward commercialization.
Furthermore, the two companies will collaborate not only in the field of algae cultivation but also in various bio-tech fields in order to realize a Decarbonized, sustainable society that utilizes photosynthesis, and contributes to the development society and to the creation of a vibrant future.
* “2040 JXTG Group Long-Term Vision”
Company Overviews
(1) JXTG Holdings, Inc.
| Representative | Sugimori Tsutomu – Representative Director, President |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Business Description | Management of subsidiaries and group companies involved in the energy business, oil and natural gas development, metals, and other various related business operations. |
(2) JXTG Innovation Partners, LLC.
| Representative | Yazaki Yasunori – President |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Business Description | Investment in and management of future business promotions |
| Established | October 1, 2019 |
| Shareholders | 100% of JXTG Holdings, Inc. |
(3) CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION PTE. LTD.
| Representative | Fujita Tomohiro, Ph.D. – CEO |
|---|---|
| Location | 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, ♯10-12 The Central Singapore |
| Business Description | To create a business utilizing biotechnology, CHITOSE BIO EVOLUTION is focusing on business operations and R&D; including finance, human resources, and market strategies. The Chitose Group, acting as the headquarters, operates mainly in Japan and Southeast Asia. Under the group, there are 9 operating companies in addition to the Chitose Laboratory Corporation which was established in 2004. |
| Established | October 2011 |
| Number of employees | Approximately 150 (group total) |
| Company profile | Chitose Group is creating new values in the field of agriculture, medicine, food, chemistry, and energy through “biotechnology that understands and manages life” and “business development capabilities” that make use of accumulated biotechnology, so that mankind can live in abundance for thousands of years to come. |
| Homepage | https://chitose-bio.com/jp/ |
Contact details for inquiries
| Contact | Public Relations Dept. JXTG Holdings, Inc. TEL: +81 (0)3-6257-7150 |
|---|---|
| DEGUCHI, Public Relations, Chitose Group TEL: +81 (0)50-7115-5419 E-mail: yu.deguchi@chitose-bio.com |