EF Polymer and TLALOC BLUE Launch Collaboration for Resource Recovery of Unused Biomass
Okinawa-based deep-tech startups EF Polymer and TLALOC BLUE have signed an MOU to combine their technologies. By integrating superabsorbent polymers and insect-based waste processing, they aim to build a circular economy model in Okinawa, processing up to 3 tons of organic waste daily.
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- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 23:00
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EF Polymer Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okinawa, Founder & CEO: Narayan Lal Gurjar, hereinafter "EF Polymer") has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TLALOC BLUE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okinawa, Founder & CEO: Karim Honein, hereinafter "TLALOC BLUE"), a startup based at OIST, toward the resource recovery of unused biomass and the establishment of a circular economy model.
Through this partnership, the companies will combine EF Polymer's water absorption and coagulation technologies with TLALOC BLUE's organic waste resource recovery technology to promote demonstrations of sustainable waste treatment and resource circulation in the island regions of Okinawa Prefecture. Moving forward, scale-up demonstrations will be conducted in Kumejima and Miyakojima, aiming to process up to 3 tons of waste per day.
[Background]
In Okinawa Prefecture, a large amount of organic residue generated during the manufacturing process of local specialty products, such as mozuku seaweed, awamori lees, island tofu okara, and shikuwasa, is currently discarded without being fully utilized. The processing of these materials poses challenges such as high costs and difficulty in handling, which burdens producers and processors.
TLALOC BLUE is a startup with a unique approach to efficiently processing organic waste using insects and earthworms to convert it into protein sources and high-value-added compost. On the other hand, the processing of raw materials with high moisture content that are difficult to bind together had been an issue.
[Details]
In this initiative, TLALOC BLUE utilized EF Polymer's products in the processing of organic waste generated in the region and confirmed an improvement in processing efficiency by enhancing the water retention and cohesiveness of the waste. After validation at the laboratory level, scale-up demonstrations will be carried out in Kumejima and Miyakojima. The processed waste is expected to be reused as crab feed and highly nutritious compost, aiming to establish a "local production for local consumption" model where resources circulate within the region. Furthermore, through this collaboration, the companies will explore the potential utilization of new biomass resources, with a view to sustainable raw material procurement and the development of new materials.
Narayan Gurjar, Representative Director and CEO of EF Polymer, stated: "The collaboration with TLALOC BLUE was born from the alignment of both companies' visions to find new value in unutilized resources. We hope that our technology will contribute to improving the efficiency of organic waste processing and help establish a resource circulation model in Okinawa."
Karim Honein, Founder and CEO of TLALOC BLUE, stated: "While exploring the potential of a circular economy in island regions, we were inspired by the Japanese concept of 'Mottainai'. Through this initiative, we want to unlock the value of unutilized resources lying dormant in the region and lead to the creation of new industries."
[About EF Polymer]
EF Polymer Co., Ltd. is a deep-tech startup born in India and raised in Okinawa. The company upcycles residues that were previously discarded, such as orange and banana peels, to manufacture and sell the 100% organic superabsorbent polymer "EF Polymer" as an agricultural material. Additionally, by promoting the application of fully organic polymers as raw materials for daily necessities, cosmetics, and medical supplies, they support the Green Transformation (GX) of companies. Through the spread of our technology, we aim to solve water shortage...
Through this partnership, the companies will combine EF Polymer's water absorption and coagulation technologies with TLALOC BLUE's organic waste resource recovery technology to promote demonstrations of sustainable waste treatment and resource circulation in the island regions of Okinawa Prefecture. Moving forward, scale-up demonstrations will be conducted in Kumejima and Miyakojima, aiming to process up to 3 tons of waste per day.
[Background]
In Okinawa Prefecture, a large amount of organic residue generated during the manufacturing process of local specialty products, such as mozuku seaweed, awamori lees, island tofu okara, and shikuwasa, is currently discarded without being fully utilized. The processing of these materials poses challenges such as high costs and difficulty in handling, which burdens producers and processors.
TLALOC BLUE is a startup with a unique approach to efficiently processing organic waste using insects and earthworms to convert it into protein sources and high-value-added compost. On the other hand, the processing of raw materials with high moisture content that are difficult to bind together had been an issue.
[Details]
In this initiative, TLALOC BLUE utilized EF Polymer's products in the processing of organic waste generated in the region and confirmed an improvement in processing efficiency by enhancing the water retention and cohesiveness of the waste. After validation at the laboratory level, scale-up demonstrations will be carried out in Kumejima and Miyakojima. The processed waste is expected to be reused as crab feed and highly nutritious compost, aiming to establish a "local production for local consumption" model where resources circulate within the region. Furthermore, through this collaboration, the companies will explore the potential utilization of new biomass resources, with a view to sustainable raw material procurement and the development of new materials.
Narayan Gurjar, Representative Director and CEO of EF Polymer, stated: "The collaboration with TLALOC BLUE was born from the alignment of both companies' visions to find new value in unutilized resources. We hope that our technology will contribute to improving the efficiency of organic waste processing and help establish a resource circulation model in Okinawa."
Karim Honein, Founder and CEO of TLALOC BLUE, stated: "While exploring the potential of a circular economy in island regions, we were inspired by the Japanese concept of 'Mottainai'. Through this initiative, we want to unlock the value of unutilized resources lying dormant in the region and lead to the creation of new industries."
[About EF Polymer]
EF Polymer Co., Ltd. is a deep-tech startup born in India and raised in Okinawa. The company upcycles residues that were previously discarded, such as orange and banana peels, to manufacture and sell the 100% organic superabsorbent polymer "EF Polymer" as an agricultural material. Additionally, by promoting the application of fully organic polymers as raw materials for daily necessities, cosmetics, and medical supplies, they support the Green Transformation (GX) of companies. Through the spread of our technology, we aim to solve water shortage...