Osaka Institute of Technology Establishes "Bio-Monodzukuri Center"

NEDO's project "Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling" (hereinafter, the Project) is advancing the construction of hubs to support R&D for each process of "bio-monodzukuri" (bio-based manufacturing). Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT, President: Susumu Inoue), utilizing the results of this Project, has newly constructed a dedicated building at its Omiya Campus (Asahi-ku, Osaka City) that consolidates various culture equipment up to the 90L scale and product separation and purification equipment. The opening ceremony for the "Bio-Monodzukuri Center" was held on June 2, 2026.

The Center will conduct consistent condition studies from microbial culture to the separation and purification of bio-products, which are necessary for scaling up bio-monodzukuri from the lab scale to the industrial scale, as well as small-scale prototyping demonstrations and human resource development in this field. It will also serve as a bridge, connecting new entrants to the bio-monodzukuri field with advanced specialized R&D hubs in Japan.

Figure 1: Exterior of Osaka Institute of Technology's "Bio-Monodzukuri Center"

1. Background

In recent years, industry has been required to balance solving social issues such as reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and realizing a carbon-recycling society with sustainable economic growth. Against this backdrop, technology that uses organisms like plants and microorganisms to produce substances from biomass resources (bio-monodzukuri) is attracting attention.

Japan has a strong accumulation of traditional fermentation industry know-how regarding substance production through microbial breeding and fermentation technology in bio-monodzukuri. However, these technologies have also been supported by the "artisan skills" based on the experience of on-site personnel. In recent years, the overseas transfer of fermentation-based manufacturing bases and the aging of skilled personnel have made it difficult to pass on these skills, leading to a shortage of human resources. Furthermore, the process development for bio-monodzukuri requires repeated trial and error, which has been a major challenge due to the enormous effort and time involved.

To address these issues, since fiscal year 2020, NEDO has been working on the Project to develop foundational technologies for bio-monodzukuri, develop human resources, conduct prototyping demonstrations, and build bio-monodzukuri R&D hubs (biofoundries) responsible for advancing these technologies and providing results.

2. Overview of the Bio-Monodzukuri Center

As a biofoundry primarily targeting new entrants to the bio-monodzukuri field, the Project established the "Bio-Monodzukuri Lab" at OIT's Omiya Campus in 2021. This was an R&D hub equipped with relatively small-scale culture tanks ranging from 0.25L to 30L. The lab has accumulated a track record, including the development of culture data analysis applications, optimization of culture conditions and support for small-scale prototyping by skilled engineers (supporting over 30 companies), and offering hands-on training courses for bio-monodzukuri human resource development (with over 380 participants).

To enhance the functions of the Bio-Monodzukuri Lab, OIT has now constructed a new building on the same campus, consolidated and relocated the lab's functions there, and reorganized it into the more advanced "Bio-Monodzukuri Center." This three-story center has a total floor area of 591.33 square meters. The first floor houses relatively large-scale culture and separation/purification equipment, the second floor contains lab-scale mini-jars and analytical equipment, and the third floor provides office space for desk work. It is possible to scale up lab-level flask cultures to 90L and conduct consistent R&D up to the separation and purification of products. The center will support small-scale prototyping by examining and optimizing culture conditions, scale-up conditions, and separation/purification conditions.

Furthermore, the center will offer enhanced human resource development courses, including practical training, for companies newly entering the bio-monodzukuri field. It will also act as a bridge between new entrants and advanced specialized R&D hubs in Japan by introducing hubs with specialized technologies and scale-up infrastructure according to user needs.

Figure 2: Floor map of Osaka Institute of Technology's "Bio-Monodzukuri Center"

Figure 3: Equipment held by Osaka Institute of Technology's "Bio-Monodzukuri Center"

3. Opening Ceremony, Commemorative Lecture, and Facility Tour

Osaka Institute of Technology held the opening ceremony for the "Bio-Monodzukuri Center" on June 2, 2026. Guests from the Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Osaka Prefectural Government's Department of Commerce, Industry and Labor, and the Bioindustry Association, along with NEDO Director Shigekazu Hayashi, JOSHO Gakuen Chairman Yasushi Nishimura, and OIT President Susumu Inoue, attended and performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Concurrently, a commemorative lecture was held, featuring presentations on the center's overview and prospects from OIT, an introduction to NEDO's initiatives in the bio-monodzukuri field, and a lecture from the Osaka Prefectural Government on "Osaka Prefecture's Carbon Neutral Technology Support and Expectations for Bio-monodzukuri." The event drew over 80 participants. A facility tour was also conducted, introducing the equipment inside the center.

Figure 4: Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening (from left: Bioindustry Association Managing Director Tanaka, NEDO Director Hayashi, METI Kinki Bureau Deputy Director Ohira, JOSHO Gakuen Chairman Nishimura, OIT President Inoue, Osaka Prefecture Director Higashiguchi, Chiba University Professor Emeritus/Project Leader Seki, Bio-Monodzukuri Center Director Nagamori)

4. Future Plans

Under the Project, OIT's Bio-Monodzukuri Center will support small-scale prototyping by examining and optimizing small-to-medium-scale culture and separation/purification conditions, and provide human resource development courses for new entrants. This aims to raise the overall level of the bio-industry base. Furthermore, NEDO aims to develop the elemental technologies necessary for bioprocess development by the end of the project in fiscal year 2026, and even after the project ends, to build bio-monodzukuri R&D hubs for each technology area where they have strengths, contributing to the development of Japan's bioeconomy. The Center will act as a hub, serving as a point of contact between these hubs and users.

[Notes]

*1 The Project

Project Name: Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling

Project Period: FY2020 – FY2026

Project Overview: Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology to Accelerate Carbon Recycling

https://www.nedo.go.jp/activities/ZZJP_100170.html