Kao Wins 'Grand Award' and 'Environmental Technology Award' at the 58th JCIA Technology Awards; Grand Award for 'Development of Comprehensive Olfactory Receptor Evaluation System ScentVista 400®'
Kao Corporation has won two awards at the 58th JCIA Technology Awards: the 'Grand Award' and the 'Environmental Technology Award.' The Grand Award recognized the development of 'ScentVista 400,' a technology for the comprehensive evaluation of approximately 400 types of olfactory receptors.
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- 📰 Published: May 15, 2026 at 22:10
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Kao Corporation has received the 'Grand Award' at the 58th (FY2025) JCIA Technology Awards, hosted by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA), for its 'Development of the comprehensive olfactory receptor evaluation system ScentVista 400.' This award honors achievements that have contributed to the development of the chemical industry and society through the creation of outstanding chemical technologies and their industrialization. Among them, the 'Grand Award' is given to organizations that have made outstanding achievements rich in originality, contributing to the advancement of science and technology with high industrial value.
In addition, Kao also received the 'Environmental Technology Award' for the 'Development of inorganic coated sand for casting, Kao ICS,' making it two awards for the company this year. Technologies from different fields were each highly evaluated.
**Background and Overview of the Awarded Technology**
The human nose has about 400 types of olfactory receptors, and we perceive smells by recognizing various odorant molecules. Until now, only about 10% of all olfactory receptors could have their response to odors confirmed, posing a challenge to the fundamental understanding of smell.
To address this challenge, Kao adopted a protein engineering approach and succeeded in expressing almost all olfactory receptors on the surface of cultured cells, making their response to odors visible. Furthermore, Kao established 'ScentVista 400,' a technology that comprehensively analyzes the responses of about 400 types of olfactory receptors using this method (see video).
Technology Introduction Video: 'ScentVista 400' technology for comprehensive analysis of the responses of about 400 types of olfactory receptors
**《 Features of This Technology 》**
- Achieves comprehensive analysis of olfactory receptor responses to odors by expressing almost all of the approximately 400 types of human olfactory receptors on the cell surface.
- Visualizes the sensation of smell as a 'response pattern,' contributing to a fundamental understanding of olfaction.
By applying this technology, Kao will pursue the creation of new fragrances based on olfactory receptor responses, such as making unpleasant odors closer to the response patterns of pleasant scents. Kao will continue to deepen its understanding of the essence of olfaction and provide new value to consumers worldwide.
**Related Information**
September 24, 2025 Kao News Release: Kao Establishes Technology to Comprehensively Analyze the Responses of Approximately 400 Types of Olfactory Receptors
Kao Website: Olfactory Receptor Analysis Technology ScentVista 400
In addition, Kao also received the 'Environmental Technology Award' for the 'Development of inorganic coated sand for casting, Kao ICS,' making it two awards for the company this year. Technologies from different fields were each highly evaluated.
**Background and Overview of the Awarded Technology**
The human nose has about 400 types of olfactory receptors, and we perceive smells by recognizing various odorant molecules. Until now, only about 10% of all olfactory receptors could have their response to odors confirmed, posing a challenge to the fundamental understanding of smell.
To address this challenge, Kao adopted a protein engineering approach and succeeded in expressing almost all olfactory receptors on the surface of cultured cells, making their response to odors visible. Furthermore, Kao established 'ScentVista 400,' a technology that comprehensively analyzes the responses of about 400 types of olfactory receptors using this method (see video).
Technology Introduction Video: 'ScentVista 400' technology for comprehensive analysis of the responses of about 400 types of olfactory receptors
**《 Features of This Technology 》**
- Achieves comprehensive analysis of olfactory receptor responses to odors by expressing almost all of the approximately 400 types of human olfactory receptors on the cell surface.
- Visualizes the sensation of smell as a 'response pattern,' contributing to a fundamental understanding of olfaction.
By applying this technology, Kao will pursue the creation of new fragrances based on olfactory receptor responses, such as making unpleasant odors closer to the response patterns of pleasant scents. Kao will continue to deepen its understanding of the essence of olfaction and provide new value to consumers worldwide.
**Related Information**
September 24, 2025 Kao News Release: Kao Establishes Technology to Comprehensively Analyze the Responses of Approximately 400 Types of Olfactory Receptors
Kao Website: Olfactory Receptor Analysis Technology ScentVista 400