Demonstration of "Hydro Chemical Looping Technology" for the production of clean electricity and high-purity CO₂ from biomass resources Rhinoflux Inc. (Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan; CEO: Atsushi Alex Mazawa; hereinafter "the Company") has been selected for the "Environmental Sustainability" field under the 3rd phase of concept verification support in "Tokyo Co-inNovators," a social issue-solving startup support program organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.In collaboration with Mizkan Corporation (Headquarters: Handa City,Japan; President and CEO: Tomoyuki Yoshinaga, hereinafter referred to as "Mizkan"), the Company will conduct a demonstration experiment aimed at producing clean electricity and high-purity CO₂ from unused biomass resources using its "Hydro Chemical Looping Technology". Overview of the selected demonstration project The Company has been selected for the "Tokyo Co-inNovators" social issue-solving startup support program for our joint project with Mizkan. In this project, the Company will conduct a demonstration experiment to produce clean electricity and high-purity CO₂ efficiently and at low cost using high-moisture, unused biomass resources generated at Mizkan's food factories, which have been difficult to utilize with conventional technologies. In this demonstration experiment, the Company will use a small-scale prototype called "Katsura-1J," which employs our proprietary "Hydro Chemical Looping technology (*1)." This technology, based on research from Kyoto University's Chemical Reaction Engineering Laboratory, enables the extraction of clean electricity and high-purity CO₂ at high efficiency and low cost by chemically reacting bio mas with a water solution without combustion. As a specific demonstration method, the Company will continuously feed food waste and wastewater sludge generated during the manufacturing processes of Mizkan's vinegar and natto products into the small-scale demonstration unit developed by the Company, and evaluate and verify the performance in terms of power generation of approximately 1 kW and high-purity CO₂ extraction. If this demonstration is successful, Mizkan will maximize the value of food waste and wastewater sludge that were previously disposed of at cost, while also contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and waste volume, in addition to producing stable and clean electricity. This initiative was born out of Mizkan's efforts to create value with various stakeholders based on the concept of "Together", and was sparked by the LP investment in Beyond Next Ventures Fund No. 3, which is also a shareholder of the Company. *1: A new energy conversion technology utilizing the oxidation-reduction reactions of metal ions in an aqueous solution (Figure 1). *2: A small-scale prototype model measuring 1 bedt in size, completed in January 2025, with an output of approximately 1 kW, capable of processing approximately 500g-dry of biomass per hour. (Figure 2) Figure 1. Hydro Chemical Looping TechnologyFigure 2. Small-scale Prototype "Katsura-1J" Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Social Issue-Solving Startup Support Program "Tokyo Co-inNovators" The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is implementing the "Tokyo Co-inNovators" program to promote collaboration between startups and companies/organizations in addressing social issues. This program aims to solve diverse social issues by leveraging the innovative solutions of startups. In the environmental sustainability field, startups addressing the following challenges are eligible for support. GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions visualization and reduction Carbon dioxide removal technologies (forest absorption, DAC, etc.) and utilization of carbon credits Promoting energy supply efficiency, renewable energy, energy conservation, and energy storage initiatives, while leveraging next-generation energy sources such as hydrogen and ammonia to advance GX initiatives Promoting the transition to a circular economy through initiatives such as advancing the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), utilizing recycled materials, reducing plastic product and food waste, and improving the value chain Official website: https://shakaikadai.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/ Future Outlook Through this demonstration project, the Company aims to establish technology to efficiently and economically recover clean electricity and high-purity CO₂ from the vast biomass resources available on Earth, with the goal of commercialization by 2028. This technology will contribute to reducing environmental impact and achieving a sustainable society. This technology is applicable to a wide range of industries, including food, beverages, agriculture, forestry, and water treatment, utilizing biomass resources. The target regions will expand globally. Based on the results of this demonstration, the Company will strive to achieve the early social implementation of advanced technologies, leveraging the scientific potential of the abundant biomass resources available on Earth to maximize their value and contribute to the realization of a sustainable future. Comments from participating companies Mizkan Corporation/ Production Logistics Division, Production Planning Department, General Manager Hideyuki Kurauchi We are delighted to collaborate with Rhinoflux. Mizkan Group operates under the mission of "Bringing Flavor to Life", valuing gratitude toward nature, honesty, and integrity in providing food. Through our business operations, we strive to resolve environmental and social issues and aim to be a sustainable company that continues to innovate and challenge itself for the next 100 years. We are committed to realizing this technology, which effectively utilizes waste from factories as biomass resources, in collaboration with RhinoFlux, and contributing to society. Rhinoflux Inc. / Co-founder and CEO Atsushi Alex Mazawa We are honored to begin this demonstration experiment using our innovative biomass energy technology with the support of Mizkan, a leading Japanese food manufacturer, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In this collaboration, we will convert biomass resources generated at Mizkan's food factories into clean energy and high-purity CO₂ using our proprietary technology. This initiative opens up new possibilities for food factories to become next-generation energy hubs. Through this demonstration project, we will steadily advance toward the realization of a sustainable society where environmental and economic goals are harmoniously achieved. Company ProfileCompany Name : Rhinoflux Inc.Representative : Atsushi Alex Mazawa, Co-founder & CEOHeadquarters : West 104, International Science Innovation Building, Kyoto University, 36-1 Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, JapanLaboratory : South 2214, Kyodai Katsura Venture Plaza, 1-39 Goryo Ohara, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8245, JapanFoundation: April 22, 2024Business: Design, manufacture, sales, management and operation of bioenergy with carbon capture plantsContact : info@rhinoflux.com