THREE Holistic Research Center Starts Joint Research with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

ACRO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshiteru Miyazaki), part of the Pola Orbis Group, announced that its THREE Holistic Research Center (HRC) has commenced research on the effects of essential oils on the sense of smell in collaboration with Associate Professor Yosuke Fukutani of the Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Koganei-shi, Tokyo; President: Nobufumi Nakamura), starting in Spring 2026.

Background of This Initiative THREE, a lifestyle brand of ACRO Co., Ltd., aims for a holistic approach that works on the mind, body, and skin to bring out one's inherent beauty in its product development. Within this framework, HRC extensively researches the efficacy and characteristics of essential oils, which are aromatic compounds derived from plants. Associate Professor Yosuke Fukutani of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has achieved significant accomplishments in next-generation biosensing technology utilizing olfactory receptors, leading the development of cellular sensors that apply the body's odor detection mechanisms engineered to identify specific odor molecules. This collaboration aims to elucidate how essential oils, which are complex mixtures of numerous scent components, interact with the sense of smell by combining expertise in essential oils with high technical skills in olfaction and cellular sensors. The outcomes of this initiative are expected to be utilized as new added value in future products for THREE and to contribute broadly to the development of the holistic care field.

Details to Follow

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology is a national university centered around two faculties: Agriculture and Engineering. It conducts cutting-edge research through the fusion of 'Agriculture' and 'Engineering' to tackle global challenges such as food and the environment. With a history spanning 150 years, it leverages its domestic leading research capabilities and social implementation strength to create new value through industry-academia-government collaboration and to train excellent specialized personnel who can contribute broadly to society, realizing a sustainable society. https://www.tuat.ac.jp/

Associate Professor Yosuke Fukutani Belongs to the Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Has achieved significant accomplishments in biosensing technology utilizing olfactory receptors and received the Japan Association for the Study of Taste and Smell Research Encouragement Award in 2025. He is actively working towards elucidating the mechanisms of biological odor detection and the social implementation of cellular sensors based on this, playing a pioneering role in the visualization of olfactory information.

THREE Holistic Research Center Established in September 2022 within ACRO with the objective of exploring the relationship between the blessings derived from plants, including 'essential oils,' and the mind, body, and skin, and creating and disseminating new value through initiatives with local communities. By creating and disseminating value that is half a step ahead, considering not only human existence but also the state of the environment and society, it plays a crucial role in the further evolution of 'THREE.' https://hrc.threecosmetics.com/