Group photo with the German government delegation

On Tuesday, June 16th, CHITOSE welcomed a high-level German delegation led by Alois Rainer, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, for a tour of the CHITOSE KSP office and microalgae laboratory. The visit stemmed from the Japan Pavillion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, where the German delegation became intrigued by the industrial potential of microalgae after visiting an exhibit for which CHITOSE served as technical supervisor.

Senior Manager Ryo Iko opened the session by highlighting CHITOSE’s milestones in building a global bioeconomy. He shared the company’s roadmap for scaling up microalgae production using proprietary biotechnology, emphasizing how the collaborative “MATSURI” initiative is paving the way for sustainable industries.

Following the presentation, Minister Rainer shared his support for CHITOSE’s  work, stating: “Having heard your presentation, I truly see the vast potential of microalgae to solve environmental issues and create new revenue streams. I would like to express my respect and gratitude for your commitment to this crucial work toward a sustainable future.”

Business presentation by Senior Manager Ryo Iko

During the Q&A session, discussions focused on the core realities of commercial microalgae operations. Key topics included securing sustainable CO2 sources for large-scale production, and building a crisis-resilient supply chain.

In response, CEO Tomohiro Fujita shared a firm resolve: “We face realities such as costs and energy balance head-on, and place high priority on reclaiming CO2 emissions from power plants fueled by renewable energy sources, such as palm residues. Furthermore, our focus is not on the short-term self-sufficiency of a single nation; our goal is to optimize production on a global scale, looking a thousand years into the future. Thus, to expand microalgae production facilities worldwide, we need investment from diverse players. It will allow us to establish microalgae as a new core industry that breaks fossil fuel dependence and integrates permanently into modern society.” 

Minister Rainer shows great interest in “Ibuki,” the microalgae-based dress exhibited by CHITOSE at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

Guided by BioEngineer Wataru Hanamitsu, the microalgae laboratory tour offered a firsthand look at CHITOSE’s cultivation equipment and the R&D driving its large-scale outdoor production facilities.

This closer look at the technology behind the 5-hectare microalgae production facility* in Malaysia and the future 2,000-hectare scale-up underscored the massive scope of the initiative. Minister Rainer expressed strong interest in the cross-border cooperation required to achieve this expansion, while the delegation signaled their support for building a global co-creation framework through the MATSURI initiative.

As a highlight of the visit, Minister Rainer held a sample of dry Botryococcus biomass, a microalgae known for its ability to accumulate a significant percentage of its dry weight as lipids (such as hydrocarbons and fatty acids). The Minister was remarkably impressed by the unique texture and elasticity of the biomass, a result of this rich oil concentration. While microalgae are generally recognized for their use in dietary supplements and cosmetics, this hands-on experience provided a powerful demonstration of their future potential as a sustainable resource capable of supplementing and replacing fossil-derived fuels and chemical products.

Minister Rainer examines a sample of dried Botryococcus microalgae biomass

Looking ahead, CHITOSE Group remains committed to its vision, driving the commercialization of microalgae while staying firmly grounded in economic and scientific realities. Building on the mutual understanding strengthened during this visit, CHITOSE will further accelerate the transition to a bio-based economy through cross-border global industrial collaboration.

* This is the result of NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) “Development of Production Technologies for Biojet Fuel Project.” https://www.nedo.go.jp/english/activities/activities_ZZJP_100127.html

About MATSURI
https://matsuri-partners.chitose-bio.com/en
MATSURI, led by CHITOSE Group, was launched in 2021 to establish an advanced microalgae-based industry in collaboration with partner enterprises, government and academia institutions. By 2025, it had evolved beyond microalgae into a cross-industry initiative driving the global bioeconomy forward. With a vision to realize a society powered by biotechnology, our efforts continue to expand – from AI-driven bio-manufacturing and resource circulation to sustainable agriculture. As what MATSURI means in Japanese, it is a festival that will leave its mark on human history. We invite partners from all industries to join us in shaping the future together. Click here to contact us.

Related Information
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