Japan, Toyota to make biofuel from algae

July 1, 2010

Japan’s agriculture ministry will begin a research project by the end of May to produce fuel from algae, together with Toyota Motor Corp., Chuo University, Denso Corp., Kyoto University, and Gifu-based Microalgae Corp. The group hopes to commercialize the product as substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel by 2020. The research will attempt to extract oil produced by the Pseudochoricystis algae, with the goal of developing mass production technology for an alternative auto and jet fuel within 10 years. If the effort is successful, algae-based biofuel could meet 10-20% of domestic demand for diesel fuel. The ministry hopes to set up a research organization within the ministry composed of researchers from private companies and universities by the end of the year. (May 22, 2010)

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