Euglena Co., Ltd. begins using 100% renewable energy at its biofuel algae production demonstration research facility
Zero CO2 emissions and local production for local consumption of electricity!

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) received the proposal of the first CFO (Chief Future Officer: "CFO") * 1 under the age of 18 in 2020. From November 1, we started using 100% renewable energy at the Algae Energy Research Institute (Taki Town, Mie Prefecture), which is an algae production demonstration research facility for biofuels. The 100% renewable energy used will be purchased from the wind power generation of Watarai Wind Farm (Watarai Town, Mie Prefecture) through Minna Denryoku Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Minna Denryoku").
* 1 In order to create the future with the aim of solving social problems, we believe that it is necessary for future generations to participate in management, and from 2019, CFO (Chief Future Officer: Chief Future Officer) under the age of 18 ) Is set up https://www.euglena.jp/cfo/

■ Background of introduction of renewable energy
　We aim to contribute to sustainable initiatives for the future by developing our business centered on sustainability and having our customers come into contact with our business and products.
　In June 2020, in response to the recommendation of our first CFO, who is under the age of 18, we decided to completely eliminate PET bottle products and reduce the amount of plastic used in our products by 50% by 2021 *2. In May, we launched a waste reduction project *3 with the aim of reducing the amount of waste disposed of by the company.
　In addition to these efforts, the CFO has also recommended that we work to reduce CO 2 emissions from our production facilities toward zero emissions. This time, as a result of repeated studies on zero emissions within our company, as a first step, we believe that it is possible to introduce renewable energy and locally produce and consume electricity. We have decided to implement a zero emission policy.
　The reduction of CO 2 emissions is part of our five Materiality (materiality) *4 for achieving environmental sustainability: mitigating Climate Change, reducing plastic emissions, conserving water, and conserving water. This is an initiative that contributes to the "control of Climate Change" among the "reduction of waste emissions" and "implementation of life cycle assessments."
*2 Release on June 29, 2020 regarding the abolition of our PET bottle products https://www.euglena.jp/news/20200629-2/
*3 Release on October 16, 2020 regarding our waste reduction project https://www.euglena.jp/news/20201016-2/
*4 Materiality (materiality) for realizing environmental sustainability at our company https://www.euglena.jp/companyinfo/sustainability/environment/

■ Outline of efforts
　Our algae energy research institute was established in 2016 and is conducting research and cultivation of microalgae for fuel using exhaust gas and exhaust heat from the adjacent woody biomass power plant (Chubu Plant Service Co., Ltd.). By introducing 100% renewable energy supplied by everyone this time, CO 2 emissions will be zero in the electricity used at the Algae Energy Research Institute, making it a research facility with even lower environmental impact.
　In addition, using the P2P power tracking system "ENECTION 2.0" * 5 that utilizes the blockchain of everyone's power, the power used at the Algae Energy Research Institute is used by Watarai Wind, a large wind power plant in Watarai Town, Mie Prefecture. By using the power of the farm, local production and consumption of power is also realized.
* 5 This is a system commercialized by Minna Denryoku in 2016, and power supply that identifies the power plant is implemented through power tracking that utilizes blockchain technology. The amount of power generation and the amount of demand are matched every 30 minutes and executed as a transaction.

　Going forward, we will continue to aim for the realization of a sustainable society, and we will continue to consider environmentally friendly initiatives, regardless of the size of the initiatives.

<About Minna Denryoku Co., Ltd.>
　Eiji Oishi, who was in charge of new business at a major printing company, was established in 2011 as a renewable energy business company. In 2016, we launched the electricity retail service “Face-to-face Electricity ™ ️” that connects power generators and consumers, and we are particular about providing the experience of “selecting with a sense of conviction”, and in 2020 we will select a clean air environment. Started the air environment improvement project "Minna Air". As a social update company, we will continue to aim to realize a "face-to-face lifestyle" based on our unique blockchain technology. https://minden.co.jp/

<About Euglena Co., Ltd.>
　In 2005, we succeeded in establishing the world's first edible outdoor mass culture technology for the Euglena In addition to developing and selling functional foods and cosmetics that utilize Euglena chlorella produced on Ishigaki Island, we are also conducting research toward the production of biofuels. Listed on TSE Mothers in December 2012. TSE First Section market change in December 2014. We define "Sustainability First" as the Euglena Philosophy and develop our business. https://euglena.jp

-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division