Agro Ludens Launches Demonstration Project for Biofuel Production in Okuma Town, Fukushima, in Collaboration with Chubu Electric Power and Yozakura Farming

Agro Ludens Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kiyataka Saga) announces the launch of a demonstration project for biofuel production in collaboration with Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (hereinafter "Chubu Electric") and agricultural corporation Yozakura Farming Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Yozakura Farming") on farmland in Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture.

Rice cultivation using water-saving dry direct seeding method

Agro Ludens possesses technology to separate rice into carbohydrates and proteins, liquefy the carbohydrates, and ferment the proteins using koji mold to produce rice-derived mycoprotein※1,2. Meanwhile, Chubu Electric is promoting the cultivation of low-environmental-impact rice as part of its new business initiatives, while Yozakura Farming advances sustainable agriculture by cultivating specialty rice varieties on conservation-managed farmland.

Through this collaborative demonstration project, Agro Ludens, Chubu Electric, and Yozakura Farming will verify the biofuel production process.

Specifically, rice will be cultivated on 10 hectares of farmland in Okuma Town using the water-saving dry direct seeding method※3. The harvested rice will be processed at Agro Ludens' Nasu facility (Ohtawara City, Tochigi Prefecture) into sugar liquid, a raw material for biofuels. Additionally, the protein component of the rice will be evaluated for effective utilization in alternative protein sources such as rice-derived mycoprotein, aiming to maximize resource efficiency throughout the production process.

※1 Rice-derived mycoprotein: Mycoprotein is a general term for protein produced using filamentous fungi. Agro Ludens' proprietary rice-derived mycoprotein is made by fermenting rice protein with koji mold, a traditional Japanese fermentation agent, and is characterized by a meat-like texture and savory umami flavor.

※2 Patent No. 7264566 "Meat-like Koji Fungal Body Obtained from Solid Culture of Koji Mold and Method for Producing the Same," Patent No. 7441567 "Meat-like Koji Fungal Body Produced by Solid-State Cultivation of Koji Mold with Cereal Protein Composition and Method for Producing the Same"

※3 Water-saving dry direct seeding rice cultivation: A labor-saving and water-efficient rice farming method in which rice seeds are sown directly into dry paddy fields and grown using only the minimum necessary amount of water.

<Agro Ludens Co., Ltd.>

Founded in 2021, Agro Ludens is dedicated to advancing a rice-based bioeconomy to create new food and energy resources and build sustainable social infrastructure. At the core of its business is the mycoprotein事业, which leverages patented technologies※1 related to rice-derived mycoprotein production to develop sustainable protein sources, aiming to reduce environmental impact in the food industry and provide new food choices.

https://www.agroludens.com/