EXPO 2025
Special Page
Press Release
MATSURI, the world’s first joint project led by CHITOSE Group to build the algae industry, will unveil “ALGAL by MATSURI”, an exhibition on algae-based circular manufacturing, at the Factory Area of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, opening on April 13, 2025. The exhibition will not only showcase various products but also share insights into the visions and development stories of the companies behind them.
The theme of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, “Between Lives”, emphasizes the importance of circulation in sustaining life. The pavilion consists of three areas: the Plant Area, the Farm Area, and the Factory Area. In the Farm Area, where algae take center stage, Chitose Laboratory Corp. serves as the technical supervisor. In the Factory Area, MATSURI will present the exhibition “ALGAL by MATSURI”. This exhibition will feature a diverse range of everyday products made from algae, including clothing, cosmetics, food, paint, PET resin, as well as aviation and marine fuels. Located right next to the Japan Pavilion Official Shop, this exhibit offers a glimpse into the future—like window shopping through glass into a new, sustainable world.
Chitose Laboratory Corporation
Sustainable manufacturing that forgoes fossil resources and instead embraces the power of photosynthesis and sunlight through algae—it’s no longer a far-off vision of the future, but something beginning to take shape before our eyes. We believe the Expo will mark a turning point, allowing the quiet brilliance of algae to reach many hearts and become a powerful force that sustains our society. Just like algae that grow gracefully under the sun’s gentle gaze, algae-derived products will come alive under the spotlight of the Japan Pavilion, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of the future.
Ibuki (Dress / Clothing)
Crafted with a bio-based sheet made by blending algae and algae-derived components, Ibuki is a garment that breathes with life. Designer Takumi Tabata weaves into it the serene beauty of living beings, and the silent, resolute pulse of life itself. Algae’s vivid hues and unique textures meld into soft gradients, spreading across the dress like a quiet breath. Ibuki embodies a shift—from a society reliant on fossil resources to one that flows in harmony with the cycle of light and life. The materials born from algae will one day sustain the way we live, eat, and dress. This dress, imbued with the life force of algae, whispers the breath of a new era.
SAF-MATSURI (Aviation fuel)
It is possible to create fuel for transportation from oil derived from algae. At MATSURI, we are conducting research and development to realize the practical use of algae-based SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). Although the exhibit presents a conceptual model, we are steadily moving toward a future where the skies are powered 100% by algae.
PET-MATSURI (PET bottle material)
To break free from reliance on fossil resources, MATSURI has developed the world’s first 100% bio-PET resin made from algae. Created through the quiet work of photosynthesis and sunlight, this material stands as a symbol of next-generation manufacturing. With a vision of delivering a new kind of value—a PET resin that “reduces CO₂ the more you use it”—we will continue refining our algae cultivation technologies and embracing each new challenge, one light-filled step at a time.
Shiseido Company, Limited
In approaching a future beyond fossil resources, Shiseido’s research and development is focusing on algae. The company recognizes infinite possibilities in the breathtaking beauty and rapid reproductive power of these microscopic life forms that have continued to live on this planet since ancient times. The fusion of art and science, an attribute of Shiseido’s inherited DNA formed since its founding in 1872, has brought powerful inspiration to cosmetics that blend both premium quality and sustainability. At the heart of the prototype to be showcased at the Osaka-Kansai Expo lies the spirit of “Praise the virtues of the Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth significant values.”*1 This is a cosmetic product that brings beauty not only to the people but also to the Earth and nature alike. With this wish, we named it Bi no Tama, meaning a jewel of beauty.
Bi no Tama Shizuku (Skincare Lotion)
Ocean, Life, Jewels. This serum captures the beauty of algae in ocean-colored tiny beads. Using Shiseido’s original Lipid Shell Technology,*2 oils derived from algae are encapsulated within solid oil shells, forming visible beads. A droplet of a jewel bead dropping on your palm, pleasantly melting, then gently blending into your skin. The formulation was created with the image of it leading to vibrant, life-filled skin.
Vision product (prototype) Left: Bi no Tama Magatama Right: Bi no Tama Shizuku
Bi no Tama Magatama (Skincare Cream)
Earth, Life, Nature’s Gifts. This cream, inspired by a respect for nature and the traditional Japanese sense of beauty, features jewel-like beads in three colors. Using film-forming technology, jelly-like polysaccharides—naturally developed by brown algae such as kelp over the course of evolution—were shaped into delicate orbs. The beads release a creamy essence when gently pressed in your palm.. The formula was designed to create a gentle, soothing moment with each use.
The beauty of algae
Maruha Nichiro Corporation
We at Maruha Nichiro are committed to maximizing economic added value as a foundation, and to combining social values, such as building a sustainable supply chain and providing food, with environmental values, such as realizing a recycling-oriented society. We are participating in the Osaka-Kansai Expo with the belief that we must be able to create new values to address various global issues and build a sustainable future.
Spirulina Miso Soup (Freeze-dried soup)
We have added spirulina—a nutrient-rich algae that produces oxygen and sugars through photosynthesis, requires no soil for cultivation, and has a low environmental footprint—as an ingredient in miso soup, a staple of Japanese cuisine. We want to provide an opportunity to think about and feel the power and sustainability of algae through the act of ‘eating’. We would also be delighted if you could share our theme project ‘Weaving Life’, in which we consider the value of the act of eating and transmit the spirit of ‘Itadakimasu’ (Thank you for the food), which is in the spirit of Japanese food culture. As an experience that allows visitors to embody the concept of “circulation” showcased in the Japan Pavilion, we plan to distribute the Spirulina Miso Soup at the Farm Area starting in late June.
Musashi Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.
Musashi Paint Group is sincerely committed to contributing to global environmental protection, guided by our purpose: “Enriching the World with Our Colors and Technology.” Our plant-based bio-paint has already reached a commercially viable stage for industrial applications, and we continue to expand its use. In pursuit of further innovation and social contribution, we have developed the world’s first bio-paint formulated with algae-derived resins through a strong partnership with CHITOSE Group. As algae’s potential gains global attention at Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, we are excited to showcase this breakthrough and demonstrate the transformative possibilities of algae-based technology. By participating in the Expo, we aim to raise awareness of algae’s industrial potential and accelerate the shift toward a circular economy.
PAINTOMO (Eco-friendly paint)
We created an object using algae-based paint to symbolize a sustainable future. The dynamic burst of this innovative paint represents bio-based creativity and growth, inspired by nature.
Fuyo Kaiun Co., Ltd.
Among the algae-derived products being developed through MATSURI are biofuels for ships and aircraft—critical industrial products in the move toward decarbonization. Biofuels, made from a variety of feedstocks such as crops, waste materials, and used cooking oil, are gaining global attention for their lower environmental impact, and their usage is rapidly expanding worldwide. These fuels can be used in conventional vessels, allowing immediate contributions to maritime decarbonization. However, since the supply of biofuels remains limited, flexibility is essential—such as the ability to operate using four different types of fuel: conventional heavy oil, bio-heavy oil, conventional methanol, and bio-methanol, as demonstrated by the vessel on display. Fuyo Kaiun Group sees low-impact biofuels as a key solution to the pressing challenge of decarbonizing maritime transport. As a sponsor of MATSURI, the group holds high expectations for the expansion of algae-derived biofuel production.
Bio dual fuel bulk carrier
KAMSARMAX is a bulk carrier independently developed by TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and is used to transport unpackaged cargo such as iron ore and grain. These vessels play an important role in connecting countries around the world and are indispensable to our economic activities. The KAMSARMAX can carry 82,000 tonnes at a time, which is equivalent to 1.5 billion bowls of rice. This is a huge amount of rice, equivalent to about 50,000 years’ worth of rice if 30 people in one class were to eat three meals a day. Our KAMSARMAX is supported by customers around the world and is one of the Baltic Shipping Indexes, an indicator of market trends in the shipping industry, due to its high market share.
TableMark Co., Ltd.
Our purpose is to “Bringing Joy to Meals and Fun to the Table“. We strive to deliver not only “deliciousness” but also “Joy to Meals” that exceed expectations through surprising and new encounters with food, and “Fun to the Table” that brings joy and smiles when shared with loved ones. Our business involves processing and delivering the blessings of nature, and thus, nature, society, and food are inseparable. In addition to creating value through food, we recognize the importance of caring for the environment in our efforts to build a sustainable future. Currently, as a part of our efforts towards forming a circular society, we are offering packed cooked rice in biomass film made from rice. This year, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our packed cooked rice, we introduce future food made with algae, which is expected to become a key alternative resource, as a new initiative towards building a circular society.
Tsumugi of the Earth (Packed Cooked Rice / Rice Ball)
Packed Cooked Rice
We are offering environmentally-friendly “Future Packed Cooked Rice” which partially utilizes algae biomass, an alternative to petroleum-derived plastics, for its tray. The product name “Tsumugi of the Earth” embodies the idea of the cycle between the earth that nurtures rice and the water that nurtures algae. Additionally, the packaging of the “Future Packaged Cooked Rice” symbolizes the connection between people and algae, with our identity represented by the rice grain mark and the red thread that encircles our meticulous manufacturing process.
Onigiri (Rice Ball)
This is a “Future Onigiri” – a traditional Japanese rice ball mixed with algae, a sustainable and nutritious ingredient of the future, and wrapped in seaweed made from microalgae.
Everyday of the future, by “ALGAL by MATSURI”
“ALGAL by MATSURI” is a showcase of technologies and knowledge dedicated to realizing a circular society—from raw materials to manufacturing processes and creative expressions. We invite you to envision a future where algae-based products seamlessly support every aspect of daily life. Details about the exhibits will be gradually released on the Expo 2025 Special Page. We hope you’ll visit the venue and experience firsthand the sustainable future that algae can create.
Companies responsible for the exhibits
Chitose Laboratory Corporation / Shiseido Company, Limited / Maruha Nichiro Corporation / Musashi Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. / Fuyo Kaiun Co., Ltd. / TableMark Co., Ltd.
About MATSURI
https://matsuri.chitose-bio.com/en
MATSURI project, led by the 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
EXPO 2025 Special Page
[Press Release] CHITOSE Partners as Technical Supervisor for Algae-Focused “Farm Area” Exhibit at Japan Pavilion for Osaka Expo 2025
[Press Release] “ALGAL by MATSURI”: an Exhibition of Circular Manufacturing Using Algae in Collaboration with 10 Partner Companies at the Factory Area of the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
