Simultaneous Nationwide 'Cylinder Drinking': Bringing the Researcher's Culture Festival to All of Japan

Laboratory equipment is crossing the walls of the lab and coming to your town. Osaka-based plastic manufacturer Sanplatec (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Gakuji Kato) declares that by 2030, when it celebrates its 70th anniversary, it will popularize 'Cylinder Drinking'—using graduated cylinders as glasses—in restaurants nationwide and host an 'Idea Lab Fes.' We support 'April Dream,' which aims to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is the dream of Sanplatec. ■ Cylinders were already out in the city. A graduated cylinder is a tool used in research to measure liquid volume. However, the cylinders handled by Sanplatec are now active outside the lab. Restaurants serving beer and sours in graduated cylinders have already appeared, and their overwhelming visual impact is quietly gaining attention on social media. ■ Craftsmanship embedded in the graduated cylinder. Sanplatec has been handling various laboratory tools and equipment since its founding. Among them, the graduated cylinder is a culmination of the craftsmanship cultivated since our inception. Being plastic, they are harder to break than glass and can be lifted with light force even when filled with liquid. Additionally, the octagonal base disperses pressure, making them stable and preventing them from rolling even if knocked over. Combined with the precision of the graduations, they are long-loved products. ■ Making '#CylinderDrinking' a new Japanese toast culture. By 2030, we will collaborate with bars, izakayas, and cafes nationwide to roll out 'Cylinder Drinking,' where beer and sours are served in graduated cylinders. We will provide dedicated cylinders to participating stores and foster this new movement into a culture through social media hashtags. Even those who don't drink alcohol can participate with soft drinks, making science accessible to everyone. ■ From conversation to the future of research. The goal of 'Cylinder Drinking' is not just a unique way of drinking. It is to create a space where researchers can relax, talk, and naturally share honest feedback like, 'Actually, it would be convenient if there were a tool like this.' Since 2024, Sanplatec has operated the web service 'Platine® Idea Lab,' which delivers researchers' ideas directly to manufacturers. In just two years, ideas from elementary school students to university professors have been submitted, and multiple prototypes have already been born. Casual remarks made during 'Cylinder Drinking' will also be connected to this Idea Lab, functioning as a pipeline for commercialization. For the general public, it serves as a new window to experience the world of research and interact with researchers. ■ Toward a simultaneous nationwide festival. Beyond the circle of 'Cylinder Drinking' spreading nationwide, our true dream is to hold the 'Idea Lab Fes' simultaneously across the country. We will connect venues online, allowing researchers to share the same passion in their respective locations. At the milestone of our 70th anniversary, we will create a space where researchers gather through 'Cylinder Drinking.'