#Japan #Tokyo #Kao Corporation #GSC Awards #gallic acid

Kao Corporation's Recognition for Sustainable Innovation

Kao Corporation, renowned for its commitment to sustainability, has recently achieved an impressive feat by winning the Encouragement Award at the 24th Green and Sustainable Chemistry (GSC) Awards held by the Japan Chemical Technology Association. This accolade recognizes significant contributions to advancing green and sustainable chemistry, with the Encouragement Award specifically aimed at promising achievements in this critical field.

Breakthrough in Bio-Production of Gallic Acid

The award-winning project focuses on the industrial production of gallic acid through a fermentation process. Gallic acid, a plant polyphenol, serves in numerous industries, including as an anti-corrosive agent for boilers and as a material for semiconductor circuit formation. Traditionally, gallic acid is sourced from the galls of plants in the Anacardiaceae family, which makes the production volume highly susceptible to weather conditions and limits the geographical areas where it can be consistently harvested.

To address these challenges, Kao developed a novel fermentation method using glucose derived from plant resources to manufacture gallic acid. This innovative approach not only stabilizes supply irrespective of environmental factors but also enhances sustainability in production practices.

Key Features of the Technology

• - Enhanced Production Yield: By fortifying the metabolic pathways of the gallic acid-producing microorganisms and incorporating new pathways, the production yield has doubled compared to traditional methods.
• - Improved Purity Levels: Kao successfully implemented a unique purification process that increases the purity of gallic acid, making it even more suitable for industrial applications.
• - Low Environmental Impact: Utilizing plant-derived materials and microbes, the technology minimizes the environmental footprint of production, aligning perfectly with the sustainability goals of the industry.

In the production of gallic acid through this advanced technique, Kao utilizes standard glucose as a raw material, ensuring that production is not hampered by geographical or environmental constraints. This technique is anticipated to pave the way for a more reliable and sustainable manufacturing process not only for gallic acid but also for other bio-based products.

Applications and Future Innovations

The bio-produced gallic acid will serve as a key ingredient in Kao’s internal products and has already been adopted by domestic manufacturers for use in boiler water corrosion inhibitors. The company plans to expand this technology into markets across Asia and Europe and will pursue the development of fermentation production techniques for other aromatic compounds in the future.

Kao Corporation's commitment to sustainable development is reflected in its history of award-winning innovations. Previous achievements recognized by the GSC Awards include various eco-friendly processes and materials that have contributed to a sustainable society.

Relevant Past Awards

• - 9th GSC Award (2009): Development of a low-environmental-impact surfactant synthesis process using subcritical water.
• - 12th GSC Award (2012): Innovative laundry proposals to foster sustainable living.
• - 16th GSC Award (2016): Development of paper-based casting duct pipes.
• - 18th GSC Award (2018): Successful application of water-based ink for printing on flexible packaging.
• - 20th GSC Award (2020): Development of the sustainable surfactant Internal Olefin Sulfonate (IOS).
• - 22nd GSC Award (2022): High-durability asphalt paving technology utilizing recycled PET materials.

For more information on Kao's bio-based products and its commitment to chemical sustainability, visit our dedicated webpages.