Joint Hosting of the 'CO2 Turns into Crayons! Future Material Metacor™ Experiment Workshop' at 'Tokyo Fushigi Science 2026' with Upcycle Community Operator mizuiro

MUIC Kansai, operated by Kansai Innovation Center (Osaka, hereafter "MUIC"), jointly hosted the "CO2 Turns into Crayons! Future Material Metacor™ Experiment Workshop" for approximately 100 children and their guardians participating in "Tokyo Fushigi Science 2026" (hereafter, Fushigi Science). This was held in collaboration with mizuiro Inc. (Tokyo, hereafter "mizuiro"), Associate Professor Yoshimitsu Shibata of the Regional Collaboration Human Resource Development Center at Muroran Institute of Technology (hereafter "Associate Professor Shibata"), and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, hereafter "Sumitomo Electric").

Moving forward, they plan to offer the "Metacor™ Crayon Handmade Experience" to business companies, local governments, and educational institutions, and to demonstrate an "upcycle ecosystem" that realizes the commercialization of unused resources through innovation.

◆ Implementation Overview
Name: "CO2 Turns into Crayons! Future Material Metacor™ Experiment Workshop"
Content: A world-first Metacor™ crayon making and coloring experience enclosing CO2, targeting approximately 100 children and their guardians who participated in Fushigi Science.
Date and Time: Held 6 times in total over April 18 and 19, 2026.
Location: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
Details: https://www.fushigi.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/

◆ Implementation Details
Fushigi Science is an event primarily targeting elementary and junior high school students to deepen their understanding and interest in science and technology, making it feel more familiar. For this 16th edition, a total of 18 "hands-on classes," "experiment classes," and "craft classes" were exhibited over the two days.

Sumitomo Electric, which was requested to exhibit by the organizers, asked MUIC, its partner in the social implementation of the future material "Metacor™," for cooperation. They jointly held the workshop with mizuiro, an upcycle community operator with a track record of PR for upcycling through crayon-making experiences, and Associate Professor Shibata, who developed the crayon-making kit.

Explanation of food loss and "Okome no Crayon® (Rice Crayon)" by mizuiro
At the workshop, which was held almost fully booked for a total of 6 sessions over April 18 and 19, an explanation of social issues such as food loss and greenhouse gas emissions was first provided. This was followed by an easy-to-understand explanation of the problem-solving story using mizuiro's upcycle product "Okome no Crayon®" and Sumitomo Electric's future material "Metacor™," both used on the day.

Liquid crayon mixture of Okome no Crayon® and Metacor™
In the subsequent crayon-making experience, participants freely mixed the raw materials "Okome no Crayon®" and "Metacor™." Under the guidance of Associate Professor Shibata, they shaped the crayons using a crayon prototype machine. Both children and guardians were highly excited about the world's first "Metacor™ Crayon" enclosing CO2, wrapped with a limited design label and packaged as a product! The venue was filled with enthusiasm. It became an opportunity to experience social issues and science and technology through a fun handmade activity.

Explanation of the Metacor™ Crayon prototype machine by Associate Professor Shibata

◆ Participants' Voices
- "I booked this event because my child was interested in Metacor™ at the Earth exhibition in Toyko Mirai Park. CO2 became more familiar through the easy-to-understand explanation."
- "Not only children but adults also enjoyed it. It was educational with many things I didn't know. Next time, I want to let this child (8 months old) participate too."
- "I had been looking for crayons for children for a long time. I was able to find out by participating in this workshop. I wish I had known sooner."

The youngest participant enjoying the drawing feel of the crayon they made themselves.

◆ Future Outlook
With the aim of expanding the "upcycle community" that sympathizes with the importance of upcycling, mizuiro, Associate Professor Shibata, and Sumitomo Electric plan to offer the "Metacor™ Crayon Handmade Experience" to business companies, local governments, and educational institutions.

In addition, they will take on the challenge of demonstrating an "upcycle ecosystem" that commercializes unused resources through innovation, such as "Okome no Crayon®" from rice wax and "Metacor™" from CO2. MUIC will contribute to next-generation innovation across generations and domains by supporting the initiatives of mizuiro and Sumitomo Electric.

[About the Implementation Entities]
■ mizuiro Inc.
To date, mizuiro Inc. has challenged manufacturing that gives new value to waste resources through products utilizing imperfect vegetables and rice bran, such as "Oyasai Crayon®" (Vegetable Crayon) and "Okome no Crayon®". This collaboration is an attempt targeting a new material, "Metacor™," which further expands the possibilities of our upcycle business.