Joint research on the production of bio-jet fuel from the microalga Euglena
-Started elemental technology development and feasibility study in response to development requests from ANA and JAL-

Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
Euglena Co., Ltd.

Shin Nihon Oil Co., Ltd. (President: Shinji Nishio, hereinafter "Shin-Nisseki"), Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd. (President: Toshiaki Higashihara, hereinafter "Hitachi Plant Technologies"), Euglena Co., Ltd. (President: Mitsuru Izumo, hereinafter "Euglena We are pleased to announce that the three companies will start joint research on the production of bio-jet fuel using Euglena

　As the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become a universal issue, reduction of CO2 emissions is also required in the air transportation field. As a key to this, the introduction of jet fuel (bio-jet fuel) made from biomass, which is a renewable energy resource, is expected. Therefore, research and development of bio-jet fuel is accelerating mainly overseas.

　Under these circumstances, Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. (President: Shinichiro Ito) and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (President: Masaru Onishi) have requested the development of bio-jet fuel, and Hitachi Plant Technology has process technology such as cultivation. We have been conducting basic studies on the production of bio-jet fuel together Euglena Co., Ltd., which has the technology for cultivating the microalga Euglena I decided to do it.

　Euglena microalga has higher CO2 absorption efficiency than terrestrial plants and does not compete with food. Furthermore, since the oil and fat contained in it has a carbon structure suitable for jet fuel, it is promising as a raw material for next-generation bio-jet fuel.

　In order to produce bio-jet fuel from microalgaes, technologies such as culturing and drying microalgaes, extracting oil from microalgaes, and converting the extracted oil into fuel (modification) are required. In the future, the three companies will jointly Our culture technology, Hitachi plant technology's culture technology and other process technologies, and Nippon Ishi's bio-jet fuel conversion technology. We will consider the feasibility of commercialization targeting FY2018 from the aspects of environmental compatibility, supply stability, and economic efficiency.

　In conducting this joint research, Nippon Oil and Hitachi Plant Technologies have Euglena Co., Ltd. through a third-party allotment.

​ ​

[Contact for inquiries regarding this matter]
Public Relations Group, Public Relations Department, Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
CSR Promotion Headquarters CSR Group Public Relations / Promotion Group
Ltd. Euglena Co., Ltd. Euglena Public Relations IR Division