Kaginowa Project, Reducing Methane from Cattle Burps with Kagikenori, Becomes Independent Through Business Transfer
Kaginowa Co., Ltd. has acquired the "Kaginowa Project," a business focused on reducing methane gas from cattle burps using Kagikenori seaweed, from Arnoul Co., Ltd. and commenced independent operations. The project aims to promote decarbonization in the livestock sector and create new value.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
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Kaginowa Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture; Representative Director: Maki Yoshikawa; hereinafter "Kaginowa") announced today that it has completed the acquisition of the "Kaginowa Project," a business focused on reducing methane gas from cattle burps using Kagikenori seaweed, from Arnoul Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Atsuyuki Hoshi; hereinafter "Arnoul"), effective May 1, 2026.
Background and Purpose of the Business Transfer
Kagikenori, a species of native Japanese seaweed, has been shown to reduce methane gas (a greenhouse gas with approximately 28 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide) contained in cattle burps when added in small amounts to their feed.
Arnoul, which was quick to recognize the potential of Kagikenori, launched the Kaginowa Project in 2022. Centered around the project's founding members, steady progress has been made, including establishing seedling culture technology, successfully demonstrating sea surface aquaculture in Kagoshima Prefecture, and technical collaboration with FutureFeed, an Australian company engaged in similar business.
This business transfer aims to establish an independent operational structure to take full responsibility for research and development and business promotion, thereby accelerating the transition from the demonstration phase to the practical application and mass production phases. Kaginowa has no capital ties with Arnoul or its parent company (Path Co., Ltd.) and will operate as an independent legal entity. While inheriting the technological foundation and research network built by Arnoul, Kaginowa will continue to collaborate as a research partner to promote the business towards decarbonization in the livestock sector and the creation of a new value cycle.
Overview of the Acquired Business
Business Name: Kaginowa Project (Methane gas reduction business from cattle burps using Kagikenori)
Acquired Assets: Rights to brands, names, logos, etc., technical information, research results, experimental data, know-how, manuals, technical documents, various databases, related equipment (indoor algae culture equipment, piping equipment, etc.), raw materials (frozen Kagikenori), trademarks, domain (kaginowa.com), and associated intangible assets.
Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Continuation of Partnerships
The basic policy is to succeed existing partnerships and contracts related to the Kaginowa Project, and transition procedures will be advanced with the highest priority on business continuity. For some contracts, individual procedures may be requested depending on the intentions of business partners and contract terms.
Furthermore, Arnoul will continue to cooperate as a research partner, and together we will work on the development of Kagikenori culture and aquaculture technology.
Future Business Outlook
Establishment of Mass Production System: Based in Kagoshima Prefecture, we will promote stable aquaculture and cost reduction of Kagikenori. We aim to expand aquaculture bases by broadening cooperation with fisheries cooperatives nationwide.
Practical Application as a Feed Additive: We are preparing to apply for registration as a feed additive with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and are working on the final stages towards practical application. We aim to provide products that livestock farmers can use with confidence.
Visualization of Decarbonization Value: We will establish a method for quantifying methane gas reduction and work to create new revenue streams for livestock farmers through the carbon credit mechanism.
Stakeholder Comments
Maki Yoshikawa, Representative Director, Kaginowa Co., Ltd.: "I am very pleased that the Kaginowa Project, nurtured under Arnoul, has grown and is taking a new step as an independent business entity. I hope to connect the precious ties that Kagikenori, a mysterious seaweed the more you know about it, has forged so far into an even larger cycle, creating new value in industrial fields including livestock and fisheries. Through this cycle, we will expand a nature-positive future where environmental recovery and economic activity coexist, from the seas of Kagoshima to all of Japan."
Atsuyuki Hoshi, Representative Director, Arnoul Co., Ltd.: "I am proud to see the Kaginowa Project, which I nurtured with the founding members, grow and become independent. Kagikenori has great potential to contribute to the global environment, and I am confident that Kaginowa's driving force will transform Japan's and the world's livestock industry from Kagoshima. Arnoul will continue to support Kaginowa as a research partner."
Schedule
Business Transfer Agreement Signing Date: April 27, 2026
Business Transfer Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Company Profile
[Kaginowa Co., Ltd.] Company Name: Kaginowa Co., Ltd. Headquarters: 218-1 Yamagawa Okagoike, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture Representative: Maki Yoshikawa, Representative Director Established: September 4, 2025 Business Overview: Methane gas reduction business in the livestock sector using Kagikenori, and research and development of seaweed aquaculture URL: https://kaginowa.com
[Arnoul Co., Ltd.]
Background and Purpose of the Business Transfer
Kagikenori, a species of native Japanese seaweed, has been shown to reduce methane gas (a greenhouse gas with approximately 28 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide) contained in cattle burps when added in small amounts to their feed.
Arnoul, which was quick to recognize the potential of Kagikenori, launched the Kaginowa Project in 2022. Centered around the project's founding members, steady progress has been made, including establishing seedling culture technology, successfully demonstrating sea surface aquaculture in Kagoshima Prefecture, and technical collaboration with FutureFeed, an Australian company engaged in similar business.
This business transfer aims to establish an independent operational structure to take full responsibility for research and development and business promotion, thereby accelerating the transition from the demonstration phase to the practical application and mass production phases. Kaginowa has no capital ties with Arnoul or its parent company (Path Co., Ltd.) and will operate as an independent legal entity. While inheriting the technological foundation and research network built by Arnoul, Kaginowa will continue to collaborate as a research partner to promote the business towards decarbonization in the livestock sector and the creation of a new value cycle.
Overview of the Acquired Business
Business Name: Kaginowa Project (Methane gas reduction business from cattle burps using Kagikenori)
Acquired Assets: Rights to brands, names, logos, etc., technical information, research results, experimental data, know-how, manuals, technical documents, various databases, related equipment (indoor algae culture equipment, piping equipment, etc.), raw materials (frozen Kagikenori), trademarks, domain (kaginowa.com), and associated intangible assets.
Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Continuation of Partnerships
The basic policy is to succeed existing partnerships and contracts related to the Kaginowa Project, and transition procedures will be advanced with the highest priority on business continuity. For some contracts, individual procedures may be requested depending on the intentions of business partners and contract terms.
Furthermore, Arnoul will continue to cooperate as a research partner, and together we will work on the development of Kagikenori culture and aquaculture technology.
Future Business Outlook
Establishment of Mass Production System: Based in Kagoshima Prefecture, we will promote stable aquaculture and cost reduction of Kagikenori. We aim to expand aquaculture bases by broadening cooperation with fisheries cooperatives nationwide.
Practical Application as a Feed Additive: We are preparing to apply for registration as a feed additive with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and are working on the final stages towards practical application. We aim to provide products that livestock farmers can use with confidence.
Visualization of Decarbonization Value: We will establish a method for quantifying methane gas reduction and work to create new revenue streams for livestock farmers through the carbon credit mechanism.
Stakeholder Comments
Maki Yoshikawa, Representative Director, Kaginowa Co., Ltd.: "I am very pleased that the Kaginowa Project, nurtured under Arnoul, has grown and is taking a new step as an independent business entity. I hope to connect the precious ties that Kagikenori, a mysterious seaweed the more you know about it, has forged so far into an even larger cycle, creating new value in industrial fields including livestock and fisheries. Through this cycle, we will expand a nature-positive future where environmental recovery and economic activity coexist, from the seas of Kagoshima to all of Japan."
Atsuyuki Hoshi, Representative Director, Arnoul Co., Ltd.: "I am proud to see the Kaginowa Project, which I nurtured with the founding members, grow and become independent. Kagikenori has great potential to contribute to the global environment, and I am confident that Kaginowa's driving force will transform Japan's and the world's livestock industry from Kagoshima. Arnoul will continue to support Kaginowa as a research partner."
Schedule
Business Transfer Agreement Signing Date: April 27, 2026
Business Transfer Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Company Profile
[Kaginowa Co., Ltd.] Company Name: Kaginowa Co., Ltd. Headquarters: 218-1 Yamagawa Okagoike, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture Representative: Maki Yoshikawa, Representative Director Established: September 4, 2025 Business Overview: Methane gas reduction business in the livestock sector using Kagikenori, and research and development of seaweed aquaculture URL: https://kaginowa.com
[Arnoul Co., Ltd.]