Japanese firms work on developing technologies using euglena
Several Japanese firms are working on projects with Euglena Co., which are aimed at commercializing environmental technologies derived from euglena, a single-celled microscopic algal. Euglena, a Japanese venture company, together with Shimizu Corp., is developing bio-purification technologies. The two companies are now jointly conducting a wastewater treatment pilot project in Oman. The aim of the project is to develop technology that will recycle oil-contaminated, underground wastewater, which is produced during the process of oil extraction, and re-use the water for irrigation purposes. Two years from now, Shimizu expects to receive orders for the construction of the water treatment facilities from oil-producing countries. All Nippon Airways Co. (ANA), on the other hand, is part of a project that Euglena, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp. and Hitachi Plant Technologies began in 2010. The project is aimed at developing euglena-based biofuels for planes. By 2018, ANA plans to use euglena-derived biofuel for its airplanes. Last year, through a private placement of new shares, Euglena raised 190 million yen (US$2.3 million) from Shimizu, ANA and Dentsu Inc. The amount raised will be used to develop bio-purification and biofuel refinery technologies. (January 16, 2012)
