On Wednesday, April 3rd, we welcomed members of the Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in Japan (La France au Japon) to tour the CHITOSE KSP office, as well as the microalgae laboratory. The Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in Japan is an organization that aims to promote partnerships between French and Japanese researchers and research institutions. Its mission is to guide the development of bilateral research and technology cooperation between Japan and France. 

The Embassy of France in Japan has expressed interest in learning more about the current condition of CHITOSE’s microalgae production facilities and what CHITOSE pursues. This led us to arrange a tour at the forefront research laboratory.

Group photo with members of the Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in Japan

First, our BioEngineer Aiko Hayashi gave an overview of CHITOSE Group and the MATSURI project. During the project introduction, we clarified each of the received questions, such as “Why choose microalgae among various types of algae?” and “Why did you start MATSURI?”. MATSURI was launched as a cross-national and cross-industry project to use the obtained microalgae biomass to its fullest potential, eliminating the need for each industry to conduct its own research on the development of microalgae into an alternative material.

The guests agreed with our vision that MATSURI is a “festival for building a microalgae-based industry.” Participants also exchanged opinions on France’s growing interest in the microalgae industry. It was mentioned that CHITOSE Group had the opportunity to present in France last year, that French companies are increasingly participating in MATSURI, and that the Embassy of France in Malaysia has visited the world’s largest microalgae production facility, CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central (C4) , in Sarawak, Malaysia. The discussion showed that microalgae is expected to be one of the industries that will attract even more attention in the future.

In the application development area, we introduced materials and products derived from microalgae.

Next, Senior BioEngineer Takumi Matsuzaki conducted a laboratory tour of the microalgae production facilities. In the exhibition area for products under development, visitors were able to see actual items made from microalgae and learn about the diverse uses of microalgae as a material. In the production area, visitors were shown microalgae production facilities equipped with the latest digital technology. They seemed impressed by the advanced culture control technology and by how our specialized bioengineers were using sensors to monitor the culture conditions.

Lively discussion, filled with technical terms, took place in the production area.

After the laboratory tour, we had an open discussion while the participants sampled foods made from microalgae. To realize a society in which microalgae are a natural part of people’s lives, we need the cooperation of many supporters, both domestically and abroad. We are delighted to have had this precious opportunity to introduce MATSURI to the Embassy of France.

In addition to the microalgae, other CHITOSE Group’s business areas, including our Cell Line Development (CLD) , Chitose Agriculture , and AI technology(Japanese) , have attracted a wide range of attention. We hope to further deepen our cooperation in the future.

Participants were able to see, touch, and feel the products made from microalgae.