Development of Production Technology for Bio-based Products to Accelerate the Realization of Carbon Recycling

Bio-based manufacturing allows for the production of materials with less energy than chemical processes, and it is also possible to produce materials from biomass without relying on fossil resources as raw materials. So, it is expected to transform manufacturing into something that contributes to the realization of a carbon-circulating society and sustainable economic growth. In order to realize bio-based manufacturing, it is necessary to eliminate bottlenecks from raw materials to final products.
In this project, NEDO will develop a bioproduction process that includes the expansion of new bioresources, separation, purification, and recovery. NEDO will also develop an integrated analysis system that will enable the correlation between production process conditions and breeding. Using these types of technology, NEDO will develop a biofoundry infrastructure that effectively bridges the gap to actual production, contributing to accelerating the social implementation of bio-based products and revitalizing the bioeconomy.
In addition, NEDO will develop and operate a manufacturing human resources development program that utilizes our biofoundry bases and aims to develop human resources who can bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and industry.

• 
  Brief Explanation

Development of Basic Technology to Promote Bioresource Utilization

NEDO will develop technology to create new enzyme resources and highly efficient search technology to acquire live microorganisms based on their functions and activities. Furthermore、NEDO will also promote the development of technology to obtain new enzyme groups, microbial resources, and plants that are useful for user companies that aim to manufacture products through biotechnology.

Biofoundry Basic Technology Development for Production Processes

Based on the fermentation production technology and culture/cultivation technology that NEDO has cultivated to date, NEDO will develop and verify next-generation material production technology that is not bound by conventional methods. NEDO will construct a bioproduction system infrastructure that enables us to verify the production process and generate evaluation samples in a single step and develop related technology. At the same time, NEDO will also incorporate LCA evaluations to solve technical problems and develop human resources who understand new technology.

Industrial Material Production System Demonstration

Demonstration and sample evaluation of material production utilizing biological functions such as industrial smart cells will be conducted. A commission phase and a grant phase will be established to promote demonstration themes of companies aiming to commercialize bio-based products.

• 
  Project scope

OWADA Chizuru

In the current situation where there is a growing need for both the resolution of social issues such as CO₂ reduction and the realization of a carbon-recycling society, as well as sustainable economic growth, a shift to manufacturing that incorporates biotechnology is expected in the industrial field. Private companies cannot expect incentives to conduct research and development based on market principles because the current technology is not cost-effective. In this project, NEDO will work to solve problems in the bioproduction process so that NEDO can meet the needs of companies that want to industrialize bio-based manufacturing.

PL: Minoru Seki (Professor Emeritus, Chiba University)

SPL: Takeshi Matsumura (Former Director, Plant Molecular Engineering Research Group, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)

Development of production technology for bio-based products to accelerate the realization of carbon recycling (Bio manufacturing project) Project period: FY2020 - FY2026

NEDO Bio manufacturing project

Development of production technology for highly functional products using plants and other living organisms (Smartcell project) Project period: FY2016 - FY2021

(Microorganism-related technology) NEDO SMARTCELL PROJECT

(Genome editing technology) Genome editing industrialization network

• Human resources development program introduction page for Bio manufacturing project
• Developing manufacturing human resources utilizing biofoundry base (Updated on September 7, 2023) （2.4MB）
• Osaka University NEDO Special course
• Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Osaka Institute of Technology (Nagamori Labo)
• Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd.

• Smart Cell Project Achievements (Published October 2020: Smart Cell Project Achievements)
• Focus NEDO No. 78 (5.8MB)(Published October 2020: Eco-friendly Smart Cell Technologies)
• Focus NEDO No. 70 (11.7MB) (Published October 2018: Carving Out a Future with Biotechnology and Digital Technology)