[22] Phytochem Products Inc.

Technology

Contributing to resource circulation through "green reaction separation technology" that produces fuel and vitamin E from the world's "unused resources.
The foundational ion-exchange resin method was traditionally used as a separation material in water treatment. In 2005, Tohoku University was the first in the world to discover its high catalytic activity in oil. This breakthrough enabled the extraction of valuable components at high concentrations from unused biomass resources, such as rice bran, for applications in industries ranging from fuel and food to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Strength

The extraction of valuable components does not require the use of hazardous substances traditionally used, ensuring safety, and it can be performed without the need for high-temperature or high-vacuum environments, making it energy-efficient.
Various unused biomass resources generated by existing industries can be utilized as raw materials, contributing to CO2 reduction and environmental preservation.

Use Case

From unused biomass resources, the following components can be extracted:
–Fuel for vehicles and latent heat storage materials
–Surfactants for daily necessities
–Functional materials for food and cosmetics
–Pharmaceutical ingredients (ointments and adhesive patches)
–Functional test reagents (usable in animal and human clinical trials)

A "multi-production system" can be designed to produce different types of products on the same production line.
–For example, unused oil generated during the production of rice salad oil from rice bran can be used as a raw material to produce super vitamin E for food and cosmetic applications.

Business Model Examples

This section shows examples of companies using this technology for its businesses. The sections is intened for illustrating how the technology is used in the real world as food for thoughs for the applicants. Applicants doesn't necessarily follow the exact business model when developing their own business ideas.

Phytochem Products Inc.

Business Contents

The name “Phytochemical” refers to plant-derived functional components that plants produce to protect themselves. The company manufactures and sells products like supplements and fuels made from domestically sourced rice bran-derived “Super Vitamin E.”

  • Extracts "tocotrienol," a type of Super Vitamin E with strong antioxidant properties, known for its health and beauty benefits. It is processed into the supplement Okome no Kimochi, which helps improve arteriosclerosis, stimulates hyaluronic acid production, and promotes hair growth.
  • Produces high-purity functional ingredients such as plant sterols.
  • Develops and commercializes isomers like α-, γ-, δ-tocotrienol and α-tocopherol as functional test reagents for food and cosmetic applications.

Business Moodel

Social Issues

  • By-products generated during the production of edible oil
  • Extracting valuable components from by-products or plants poses challenges due to the components' fragility and the high production costs involved
    – Large amounts of solvents are required to extract health-promoting components, resulting in low efficiency and difficulty in mass production
    – Natural products become expensive, leading to the use of cheaper, fossil fuel-derived synthetic alternatives

Solution

  • Upcycling unused biomass resources that are currently discarded as raw materials
  • Extracting valuable components at high concentrations

Value

  • Creating a new regional economic cycle through collaboration between agriculture and industry, contributing to the realization of a circular future society
  • Enabling energy-efficient and efficient mass production of valuable components
  • Extracting health-promoting components from natural sources

Message from the Lab

Message

CEO Makiko Kato

• Particularly interested in palm oil from Indonesia and seeking potential partners.
• Would be delighted to discuss impactful global business development with individuals interested in resource circulation initiatives.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Individuals with knowledge or interest in unused oil resources
• People capable of proposing new business ideas utilizing the ion-exchange resin method
• Experts familiar with palm oil in the Southeast Asian region

Reference