AWARDS
The 23rd (2023) Green and Sustainable Chemistry Award Winners
Awarded by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Development and Dissemination of a Carbon Footprint Calculation Tool for Chemical Products
Masaaki TOMA, Saki MANABE, Kouki OOZAWA, Mayumi HAYASHI
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
Sumitomo Chemical has been providing its proprietary CFP (carbon footprint of product) calculation tool, CFP-TOMO®, which was originally developed for efficiently calculating the CFPs of its own products, to other companies free of charge. As of the end of March 2024, it has been adopted by 107 companies. While the calculation of the CFP for chemical products is so complicated that can often be impossible with commercially available tools, CFP-TOMO® can handle it easily, so its provision has significantly reduced the calculation workload for each company and has promoted the disclosure of CFPs to customers, thereby making a significant contribution to the chemical industry.
Awarded by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Research on the Utilization of Infrared Light Energy Resources
Masanori SAKAMOTO
Osaka University
Solar radiation is the most abundant renewable energy source; however, its overall utilization remains inefficient as half of the energy is in the form of infrared (IR) light, which cannot be harnessed due to its low energy. The presenter investigated the method for converting the infrared light, an unused renewable energy source, into an energy resource. Presenter will introduce the mechanism of energy conversion of infrared light and applications for various transparent devices.
Awarded by the Minister of the Environment
Development and Dissemination of a Carbon Footprint Calculation Tool for Chemical Products
Masaaki TOMA, Saki MANABE, Kouki OOZAWA, Mayumi HAYASHI
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
Sumitomo Chemical has been providing its proprietary CFP (carbon footprint of product) calculation tool, CFP-TOMO®, which was originally developed for efficiently calculating the CFPs of its own products, to other companies free of charge. As of the end of March 2024, it has been adopted by 107 companies. While the calculation of the CFP for chemical products is so complicated that can often be impossible with commercially available tools, CFP-TOMO® can handle it easily, so its provision has significantly reduced the calculation workload for each company and has promoted the disclosure of CFPs to customers, thereby making a significant contribution to the chemical industry.
Venture Capitals ・ Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Award
Development of Rare-metal-free AZUL Catalyst Contributing to the Realization of a Decarbonized Society
Koju ITO, Hiroshi YABU, Masayuki HAYASHI
AZUL Energy Inc.
As part of energy policies targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, there is a strong anticipation for the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy systems. However, the growth of this market has been stymied by factors such as the high costs of hydrogen production and fuel cells. AZUL Energy, a startup from Tohoku University, has developed the "AZUL catalyst," a rare-metal-free alternative that can replace conventional platinum catalysts. This innovation is poised to promote the broader use of hydrogen energy systems and significantly contribute to reducing lifecycle CO2 emissions.
Venture Capitals ・ Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Award
Establishment and Practical Application of Green Coffee Beans and Tea Leaves Decaffeination Technology Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide
Masahiro TANAKA, Hazuki NEROME, Daishi TAKEZAKI, Keiko FUJII, Motonobu GOTO
Supercritical Technology Center Co., Ltd.
There has been a growing demand for decaffeinated beverages due to the increasing consumer focus on health. While the mainstream method involves cost-effective organic solvent extraction, a new decaffeination process for coffee beans based on supercritical CO2 extraction has been established and extended to the production of decaffeinated green tea leaves. Moreover, supercritical fluid technology has been utilized in various industries, including cosmetic material development, where its high environmental and human safety standards are highly valued.
Incentive Award
Launch of ENEOS GX Series of Lubricants and Greases Using Plant-based Base Oils
Kazuo TAGAWA, Noriko AYAME, Tomoki KAMIHATA
ENEOS Corporation
We have developed the ENEOS GX (Green Transformation) series, which uses plant-derived carbon neutral oil base oil. Furthermore, we have confirmed that the fuel efficiency performance of the developed oil is superior to that of our current energy-saving products. The use of this oil makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle.
Incentive Award
Low Temperature-curable Blocked Isocyanate
Shuto NOGUCHI, Akifumi YASUDA, Yuji NAKASHIMA
Tosoh Corporation
"Blocked isocyanates are those in which free isocyanate groups are blocked with a blocking agent (BA). Heat removes the BA and liberates isocyanate group to react with a compound containing active hydrogen to form polyurethane. The most used BA in the industry is methyl ethyl ketone oxime (MEKO), which is removed at about 130°C. We developed the unique catalyst to remove MEKO at a temperature less than 100°C. Our blocked isocyanate technology having catalyst can reduce temperature for coating process and contribute to reducing CO2.
Incentive Award
Crystal Structure-based Comprehensive Design Guideline of Iron Catalysts for Water Electrolysis and Development of Highly Efficient Catalysts
Yuuki SUGAWARA
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Efficient and eco-friendly hydrogen production technology is crucial for achieving a decarbonized society as a solution for global environmental issues. Hydrogen production via water electrolysis in alkaline media using electricity is a promising process; and thus, highly active and inexpensive electrocatalysts for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis are quite desirable. Herein, a novel versatile and reliable structural descriptor is uncovered for iron-based OER electrocatalysts. Further, based on this descriptor, highly efficient OER electrocatalysts are rationally designed.