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Transforming Waste into Sustainable Solutions: The .Garbon Project

In an innovative initiative, the partnership of Gab Corporation, Oki Kogei, Kyoei Life Tech, and Okamura has been recognized with the Regeneration Award at the Forbes Japan Xtrepreneur Award 2026. This award honors their joint project aimed at carbonizing hard-to-recycle waste into artificial leather and office furniture, thus contributing to a sustainable future.

The Vision Behind .Garbon

The .Garbon project is the latest endeavor by Gab Corporation to create new circulation solutions. It combines the expertise of four companies to reduce waste and increase resource circulation while addressing the urgent issue of decarbonization. The focus is on developing a new model for resource circulation that can effectively handle materials that are traditionally difficult to recycle.

Gab has been committed to seeking solutions to waste issues since its inception. Faced with the challenge of complex materials in corporate manufacturing settings, where recycling is often not feasible, the company has focused its efforts on leveraging Oki Kogei's unique technology. This method involves heating and thermally decomposing waste in an oxygen-free environment to produce carbonized materials, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions compared to combustion processes. By extracting various functional carbon materials from waste, the project aims to create new value in the materials used.

Bridging Waste and Products

In order to make resource cycling a reality, it's crucial to establish a pathway that connects carbonized materials with actual products and materials that will be used continuously. This is where the collaboration between four companies becomes essential, with each entity contributing specific expertise to ensure seamless integration from carbonization to product creation. The resulting carbonized materials are transformed into artificial leather, which in turn is utilized in the manufacture of office furniture. Thus, a new value is provided to waste, promoting a continuous cycle of use within society.

How Each Company Contributes

• - Gab Corporation: Leading the initiative, Gab specializes in the development of the .Garbon solution. They design and promote the entire process from carbonization to material and product creation, linking technology, materials, and products to achieve sustainable resource circulation.

• - Oki Kogei: Utilizing its long-standing carbonization expertise, Oki Kogei transforms hard-to-recycle waste into potential new materials. Their ability to handle diverse types of waste establishes them as a key player in initiating resource circulation.

• - Kyoei Life Tech: With advanced material processing techniques in synthetic leather production, Kyoei Life Tech incorporates the carbonized materials from Oki Kogei to manufacture .Garbon leather. This high-value material maintains the quality and processability required in synthetic leather applications, further enhancing its marketability.

• - Okamura: As a well-known office furniture manufacturer, Okamura applies its product development skills to create furniture using .Garbon leather. By ensuring durability, quality, and design, they enable an actual, long-lasting product that contributes to the practical implementation of resource circulation in society.

Messages from Key Personnel

Moeto Yamauchi, CEO of Gab: "We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award and extend our heartfelt gratitude to all parties involved. Addressing social issues is akin to solving a complex equation—it requires diverse strengths and technologies. The recognition of our efforts by the Xtrepreneur Award encourages us to continue exploring innovative materials and products that can enrich lives while eliminating the concept of waste altogether."

Takehiko Oki, CEO of Oki Kogei: "Thank you for recognizing our extensive research in sustainable practices through carbonization of organic waste. Our aim is to lead unique carbon recycling techniques to combat global CO₂ challenges, contributing to the creation of effective materials that serve various purposes."

Shuhei Kusuda, Technical Head of Kyoei Life Tech: "We are committed to advancing sustainable material development. This project's goal is to establish a resource circulation system that elevates waste into valuable materials rather than simply replacing environmentally friendly options."

Yoshiyuki Fukatsu, Okamura Development Department: "We are dedicated to turning waste into valuable resources that can reshape the way we think about materials in various environments. Our collaboration underscores how leveraging diverse expertise can lead to significant societal benefits."

About the Forbes Japan Xtrepreneur Award 2026

The Forbes Japan Xtrepreneur Award celebrates collaborative projects that generate significant social impact by combining technological expertise across industries. The awards are based on their global relevance, impact, and innovation, recognizing six outstanding projects this year.

Final Thoughts

As waste management becomes an increasingly pressing issue, initiatives like .Garbon demonstrate the potential for innovative cross-industry collaborations to bring about meaningful change. With continued research and dedication, these companies aim to contribute to a more sustainable future, reducing wastes and carbon emissions while innovating the materials that define modern living.