Biomass Collaboration
2025-04-16 04:53:52

Yamatané Partners with Tome Shokuhin for Biomass Utilization Agreement

Yamatané Announces Partnership with Tome Shokuhin



Yamatané, a company based in Koto, Tokyo, has recently made headlines by entering into an agreement with Tome Shokuhin, located in Minamisoma, Fukushima, and JA Shin Miyagi in Kurihara City, Miyagi. This partnership focuses on the effective utilization of unused biomass, such as rice husks.

Background of the Partnership


Prior to finalizing this agreement, Yamatané decided to invest in Tome Shokuhin, leveraging their innovative technology to extract cellulose from rice husks. The planned machinery will be installed in Kurihara City, Miyagi. The cellulose extraction process developed by Tome Shokuhin is noteworthy due to its environmentally friendly approach, as it does not use chemicals, thereby reducing environmental impact. The establishment of this technology also brings down the production costs of cellulose. By implementing this advanced machinery, the project aims to revive traditional circular agriculture practices in Japan and significantly reduce the costs related to rice husk disposal, while providing a return to producers through resource reuse. This initiative aligns with Yamatané's vision of achieving sustainable agriculture.

The initiative will see the introduction of machinery in one of the partner regions, namely the JA Shin Miyagi area, with the agreement serving as a foundation to strengthen collaborative efforts in progressing the associated business activities. Through this partnership, Yamatané, Tome Shokuhin, and JA Shin Miyagi are committed to enhancing local agricultural sustainability.

Objectives of the Agreement


In Japan, approximately 1.5 million tons of rice husks are produced annually, accounting for about 20% of the country's rice production. The disposal of this massive amount of rice husks poses significant costs and environmental concerns, representing a major issue for many agricultural regions. The current agreement serves as a collaborative push towards addressing these challenges through cooperative initiatives.

Specific Roles of the Partners


  • - Yamatané: Responsible for the operation of the initiative.
  • - Tome Shokuhin: Focused on research, machinery development, and maintenance related to the project.
  • - JA Shin Miyagi: Provides supply, verification, and comprehensive support regarding unused biomass (such as rice husks).

Unused biomass refers to organic materials typically discarded in sectors like agriculture, forestry, and the food industry. Common examples in agriculture include rice husks, straw, and fruit waste. The effective harnessing of this unused biomass could serve as a valuable solution for many agricultural areas.

Future Prospects


This initiative promises to transcend beyond merely extracting cellulose from rice husks by exploring innovative possibilities for resource recycling in agriculture. The project aims to achieve the following developments:

1. Expansion to Various Types of Unused Biomass
Initially, the focus will be on repurposing rice husks, but there are plans to investigate the application of the technology to other unused biomass, providing comprehensive solutions to address biomass disposal challenges in Japanese agriculture.

2. Processing into High-Value Materials
The project aims to explore diverse avenues, including processing cellulose into nanofibers (CNF), alternative biodegradable plastics, and advanced composite materials.

3. Building a Circular Agricultural Ecosystem
The remaining liquid from cellulose extraction will be repurposed as a natural pesticide, contributing to the establishment of an ecologically sustainable agricultural model with minimal environmental burden.

4. Integration with Renewable Energy
Consideration is being given to utilizing biomass for biofuel, envisioning a fusion model between agriculture and renewable energy.

About the Companies Involved


Yamatané Group has been providing "safe, reliable, and tasty" rice since its establishment in 1924, by building robust connections with producers across the nation. Their corporate motto, "Supporting Continuity," embodies their commitment to sustaining all stakeholders and promoting sustainable societal practices through their entire value chain. To this end, they have prioritized initiatives aimed at the "development of local communities and producers in agriculture."

Tome Shokuhin specializes in extracting cellulose from unused biomass, emphasizing a chemical-free process. The company's stringent research and development efforts focus on promoting the reuse of such materials, fostering a society that maximizes the benefits of natural resources. With the growing demand for cellulose as an alternative to plastics in industries such as automotive and packaging, Tome Shokuhin's innovative solutions for rice husk disposal are attracting significant attention.

JA Shin Miyagi was established through the merger of five regional JAs in July 2019 and encompasses a significant part of northern Miyagi Prefecture. It serves a population of around 330,000 and is a vital agricultural area, known for rice production and the famed Sendai beef. The region is also a major producer of various horticultural crops.

For further inquiries regarding this initiative, please contact Yamatané's Management Planning Department at 03-3820-1116 or via email at kikaku@yamatane.co.jp.


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Topics Consumer Products & Retail)

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