Received the Reiwa 8 MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology for Technological Innovation Towards a Circular Economy
Tsuno Oleo Chemicals Co., Ltd. won the MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology for developing a high-performance metalworking base oil using recycled waste cooking oil.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:00
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Tsuno Oleo Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ito-gun, Wakayama Prefecture; President & CEO: Fumi Tsuno; https://www.tsuno.co.jp) has been awarded the Prize for Science and Technology (Technology Category) in the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for Reiwa 8 (2026), for its achievement in the "Development of high-performance metal processing base oil aiming for a circular economy."
We perceive this award as a recognition of our long-standing efforts to realize a sustainable society, not only through the development of recycling technology for waste cooking oil, but also by promoting the collection of used cooking oil discharged from households. We will continue to promote the development and implementation of technologies that utilize resources "without waste," contributing to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society.
Tsuno's Oleo Chemical Business: A History of Over Half a Century.
The Tsuno Group launched its oleo chemical business in 1960. We manufacture fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives using by-products generated from the refining of rice bran oil and various vegetable oils as raw materials. Since the 1990s, we have utilized this technology to expand into the recycling of used cooking oil. Through years of technological development, we have established an integrated system capable of production and development from raw materials to derivatives, repeating technological innovations. The results are utilized as alternatives to petroleum-derived raw materials in a wide range of fields, including resins, inks, processing oils, plasticizers, adhesives, soaps, and asphalt. Oleo Chemical Business: https://www.tsuno.co.jp/oleo-chemicals
Overview of the Reiwa 8 MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology (Technology Category)
The MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology aims to improve the motivation of those involved in science and technology and contribute to the advancement of Japan's scientific and technological standards. It honors individuals who have achieved remarkable results in research, development, and the promotion of understanding regarding science and technology. The award ceremony will be held at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
[Achievement Name] Development of high-performance metal processing base oil aiming for a circular economy
[Conventional Challenges and Development Background]
In the metalworking fluid industry, lubricants play crucial roles such as "lubrication" to smooth the movement of machinery and materials during processing, "cooling" to suppress heat generated during processing, and "improving machinability" to enhance the accuracy of cutting and grinding metal. In recent years, as processing precision has advanced, there has been a demand for higher performance than ever before, while there is also a desire to minimize usage from the perspective of cost reduction. At the same time, interest is growing in circular and environmentally friendly materials that can reduce waste and effectively utilize resources. Under these circumstances, there was a need to develop a new circular base oil for metal processing that could simultaneously satisfy multiple challenges such as "high performance," "reduced usage," and "environmental compatibility."
[Development Results and Social Significance]
In this development, we succeeded in developing a high-performance base oil for metal processing that simultaneously satisfies three basic physical properties that were conventionally difficult to balance: "hard to ignite and safe (high flash point)," "smooth and easy to handle (low viscosity)," and "hard to solidify even at low temperatures (low pour point)." This achievement makes it easier for metal processing manufacturers to design lubricants, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption in addition to improving safety and workability. Furthermore, demonstrating that waste-derived raw materials can be proactively reused is the first attempt at practical application in the metalworking fluid field, marking a significant step towards realizing a circular economy.
Moreover, by collecting used cooking oil (including edible oils sold by our company) and reusing it as a raw material, we have built a mechanism that achieves both "reduce" (reducing edible oil waste) and "recycle" (reusing it as a resource). This provides metalworking fluids that simultaneously meet the three basic physical properties while reducing environmental impact and promoting the effective use of resources, and is expected to improve energy efficiency through the reduction of its usage.
Awardee Comments
[Wataru Yamamoto, Deputy General Manager, Planning & Development Dept. 2]
This research is a result of the connection between our company's business and research activities, realized through the cooperation of many stakeholders. We are deeply grateful for this commendation, as it is thanks to everyone who supported us in the field. Also, we are frankly delighted to be recognized in this way. Moving forward, taking into account various requirements such as environment, performance, and cost, we will promote research that leads to practical use while valuing the perspective of the field, contributing to the creation of sustainable business value.
[Akira Nakajima, Section Manager, Yashiro Plant Research & Development Section]
It is truly an honor to receive the prestigious MEXT Commendation. Being able to clear strict standards while basing our work on our company's slogan of zero emissions was only possible due to the support of all related parties.
We perceive this award as a recognition of our long-standing efforts to realize a sustainable society, not only through the development of recycling technology for waste cooking oil, but also by promoting the collection of used cooking oil discharged from households. We will continue to promote the development and implementation of technologies that utilize resources "without waste," contributing to the realization of a sustainable and prosperous society.
Tsuno's Oleo Chemical Business: A History of Over Half a Century.
The Tsuno Group launched its oleo chemical business in 1960. We manufacture fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives using by-products generated from the refining of rice bran oil and various vegetable oils as raw materials. Since the 1990s, we have utilized this technology to expand into the recycling of used cooking oil. Through years of technological development, we have established an integrated system capable of production and development from raw materials to derivatives, repeating technological innovations. The results are utilized as alternatives to petroleum-derived raw materials in a wide range of fields, including resins, inks, processing oils, plasticizers, adhesives, soaps, and asphalt. Oleo Chemical Business: https://www.tsuno.co.jp/oleo-chemicals
Overview of the Reiwa 8 MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology (Technology Category)
The MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology aims to improve the motivation of those involved in science and technology and contribute to the advancement of Japan's scientific and technological standards. It honors individuals who have achieved remarkable results in research, development, and the promotion of understanding regarding science and technology. The award ceremony will be held at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
[Achievement Name] Development of high-performance metal processing base oil aiming for a circular economy
[Conventional Challenges and Development Background]
In the metalworking fluid industry, lubricants play crucial roles such as "lubrication" to smooth the movement of machinery and materials during processing, "cooling" to suppress heat generated during processing, and "improving machinability" to enhance the accuracy of cutting and grinding metal. In recent years, as processing precision has advanced, there has been a demand for higher performance than ever before, while there is also a desire to minimize usage from the perspective of cost reduction. At the same time, interest is growing in circular and environmentally friendly materials that can reduce waste and effectively utilize resources. Under these circumstances, there was a need to develop a new circular base oil for metal processing that could simultaneously satisfy multiple challenges such as "high performance," "reduced usage," and "environmental compatibility."
[Development Results and Social Significance]
In this development, we succeeded in developing a high-performance base oil for metal processing that simultaneously satisfies three basic physical properties that were conventionally difficult to balance: "hard to ignite and safe (high flash point)," "smooth and easy to handle (low viscosity)," and "hard to solidify even at low temperatures (low pour point)." This achievement makes it easier for metal processing manufacturers to design lubricants, contributing to the reduction of energy consumption in addition to improving safety and workability. Furthermore, demonstrating that waste-derived raw materials can be proactively reused is the first attempt at practical application in the metalworking fluid field, marking a significant step towards realizing a circular economy.
Moreover, by collecting used cooking oil (including edible oils sold by our company) and reusing it as a raw material, we have built a mechanism that achieves both "reduce" (reducing edible oil waste) and "recycle" (reusing it as a resource). This provides metalworking fluids that simultaneously meet the three basic physical properties while reducing environmental impact and promoting the effective use of resources, and is expected to improve energy efficiency through the reduction of its usage.
Awardee Comments
[Wataru Yamamoto, Deputy General Manager, Planning & Development Dept. 2]
This research is a result of the connection between our company's business and research activities, realized through the cooperation of many stakeholders. We are deeply grateful for this commendation, as it is thanks to everyone who supported us in the field. Also, we are frankly delighted to be recognized in this way. Moving forward, taking into account various requirements such as environment, performance, and cost, we will promote research that leads to practical use while valuing the perspective of the field, contributing to the creation of sustainable business value.
[Akira Nakajima, Section Manager, Yashiro Plant Research & Development Section]
It is truly an honor to receive the prestigious MEXT Commendation. Being able to clear strict standards while basing our work on our company's slogan of zero emissions was only possible due to the support of all related parties.