Osaka Institute of Technology Opens New 'Bio-Manufacturing Center'

As part of NEDO’s project, 'Development of Bio-derived Product Production Technology for Accelerating Carbon Recycling' (hereafter referred to as 'the Project'), efforts are underway to build hubs that support R&D at various stages of 'bio-manufacturing.' Osaka Institute of Technology (OIT), part of the Josho Gakuen Educational Foundation, has utilized the project's results to build a new, dedicated research and development facility on its Omiya Campus (Asahi-ku, Osaka). This facility, which consolidates various culture equipment up to a 90L scale along with downstream separation and purification facilities, held its opening ceremony as the 'Bio-Manufacturing Center' (the 'Center') on June 2, 2026.

The Center provides integrated condition analysis, from microbial culture to product purification, which is essential for scaling bio-manufacturing from lab to industrial levels, as well as supporting small-scale prototyping and talent development in this field. It also serves as a bridge between newcomers to the field and highly specialized domestic R&D facilities.

1. Background
In recent years, industries have been called upon to solve social issues such as atmospheric CO2 reduction and the realization of a carbon-circular society, while simultaneously achieving sustainable economic growth. In this context, technology that produces substances from biomass resources using plants or microorganisms (bio-manufacturing) has attracted significant attention.

While Japan has deep-seated strength in traditional fermentation industries for microbial breeding and substance production through fermentation, these techniques have often relied on the 'master skills' of frontline staff. Recently, the overseas expansion of fermentation-based manufacturing sites and the aging of skilled personnel have made it difficult to pass on these technologies, leading to personnel shortages. Furthermore, the need for repetitive trial and error in process development has been a major challenge, requiring significant effort and time.

To solve these problems, NEDO has been working since fiscal year 2020 on the Project, including building bio-foundry research and development hubs that handle basic technology development, talent training, prototyping, and the advancement and provision of results for bio-manufacturing.

2. Overview of the Bio-Manufacturing Center
As a bio-foundry targeting new entrants to the field, the Project established the 'Bio-Manufacturing Lab' at OIT’s Omiya Campus in 2021, featuring small-scale culture tanks (0.25L to 30L). It has built a solid track record, including the development of culture data analysis apps, optimization support for culture conditions and small-scale prototyping by skilled technicians (supporting over 30 companies), and the establishment of practical training courses for bio-manufacturing (with over 380 participants).

To strengthen the functionality of the 'Bio-Manufacturing Lab,' OIT constructed a new building on the same campus and reorganized the lab’s functions, launching it as the 'Bio-Manufacturing Center.' The three-story building, with a total floor area of 591.33㎡, features large-scale culture and separation/purification facilities on the first floor, lab-scale mini-jars and analytical equipment on the second, and office space on the third. It enables integrated R&D from lab-scale flask culture to scale-up to 90L, supporting the optimization of culture, scale-up, and purification conditions.

Moreover, the Center will provide enhanced talent training courses, including practical work, for new entrants. Furthermore, depending on user needs, it will act as a bridge by introducing research and development hubs with professional technology and scale-up infrastructure.

3. Opening Ceremony, Commemorative Lectures, and Facility Tours
OIT held the opening ceremony for the Bio-Manufacturing Center on June 2, 2026. Guests from the Kansai Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Osaka Prefectural Government, and the Japan Bioindustry Association, along with NEDO Director Narikazu Hayashi, Josho Gakuen Chairperson Yasushi Nishimura, and OIT President Shin Inoue, attended and performed the ribbon-cutting. A commemorative lecture was held simultaneously, where OIT presented the center's overview and outlook, NEDO introduced its bio-manufacturing initiatives, and the Osaka Prefectural Government discussed 'Osaka Prefecture's Carbon Neutral Technology Support and Expectations for Bio-Manufacturing.'