July 20, 2022
Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels

Six Private Companies Establish “Research Association of Biomass
Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels”
The start of research on bioethanol fuel production to achieve carbon neutral society
ENEOS Corporation (ENEOS), Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki), Subaru Corporation (Subaru), Daihatsu Motor
Co. Ltd. (Daihatsu), Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho)
established the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels (ResearchAssociation) on July 1, 2022, to study ways to optimize the process of producing fuel.
It is crucial to provide diverse energy options to meet the needs of many different regions and customers in orderto achieve carbon neutrality. Hydrogen and synthetic fuels based on electricity from renewable energy sources,
as well as bioethanol fuel able to reduce CO2 emissions through photosynthesis in plants are promising options,and their effectiveness has been confirmed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). However,
it is essential to clarify the issues and search for a solution regarding CO2 emission reduction and social
implementation throughout the manufacturing process, in addition to raw material procurement for any of thesefuels.
This Research Association promotes technological research on the use of biomass, as well as the efficient
production of bioethanol fuel for automobiles through the optimized circulation of hydrogen, oxygen, and CO2
during production to achieve a carbon-neutral society. Specific research areas are as follows.
(1) Research on Efficient Ethanol Production Systems
With the aim of improving production technology for second-generation bioethanol fuel that does not compete withfood, the Research Association will design, install, and operate production facilities, identify issues with production,
research solutions and study ways to improve the efficiency of production systems.
(2) Research on Byproduct Oxygen, CO2 Capture, and Utilization
The Research Association will study how to use the high concentration of oxygen generated as a byproduct duringhydrogen production as well as the CO2 generated during bioethanol fuel production.
(3) Research on the Efficient Operation of the Overall System, Including Fuel Utilization
The Research Association will investigate the issues involved with using bioethanol fuel obtained in (1) toautomobiles and other vehicles and explore solutions. It will also study model formulas that can make predictionsof both raw material cultivation production volumes and fuel production volumes.
(4) Research on Efficient Raw Material Crop Cultivation Methods
The Research Organization will develop a system that proposes optimal cultivation methods for maximizing yieldand optimizing crop components to secure raw materials for bioethanol fuels. It will aim to improve the accuracyof crop yield productions through soil composition surveys and other methods.

Overview of Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels
Date of Establishment

July 1, 2022

Chairman of the Board

Koichi Nakata (Head of Carbon Neutral Development Div. Toyota Motor Corporation)

Members

Daihatsu, ENEOS, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Toyota Tsusho (in alphabetical order)

Location of Headquarters

Fukushima Okuma Incubation Center, Shimizu-230 Shimonogami, Okuma, Futaba
District, Fukushima Prefecture

Business Overview

Research on improving the efficiency of carbon neutral technology