Niterra Co., Ltd.

Niterra Launches "SUISO no MORI” (Hydrogen Forest) Project
The Project funds the support of startup industries specializing in hydrogen and circular carbon
and a demonstration field.
NAGOYA, JAPAN, May 21, 2024 — Niterra Co., Ltd., Japan’s leading spark plug and ceramics
manufacturer with an evolving portfolio focused on ceramics and beyond, has announced the launch ofthe "SUISO no MORI” (Hydrogen Forest) project, based on the concept of "hydrogen and circular carbon
for the future of the Earth.” They will establish a corporate venture capital (CVC) fund with Global Brain
Corporation (CEO: Yasuhiko Yurimoto). With the fund, Niterra will support startup industries related tohydrogen and circular carbon. The company will set up a demonstration field specializing in the same
theme with a total area of 5,000 m2 at its Komaki Plant (Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture). Through thepromotion of this Project, the Niterra Group aims to play its part in developing hydrogen and circularcarbon-related industries and to contribute to the early realization of a hydrogen and circular carbonbased society.

■ Background of the launch of the SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project
In recent years, the environment has become increasingly severe due to the earth’s boiling caused byincreased greenhouse gases, rising sea levels, and the intensification of natural disasters. These factors
make it a challenge to achieve carbon neutrality. Among the various measures to achieve carbon
neutrality, hydrogen, which does not emit CO2, is attracting attention as an alternative energy source tofossil fuels.
In addition, efforts are becoming more active in various places to establish carbon circulation and realize
a society that does not emit CO2 to the outside by separating, capturing, and utilizing CO2, such as
through Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilization (CCU) and Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization andStorage (CCUS). As a group, they have set "environment and energy" as one of their focus areas in their"2030 Long-term Business Plan Nittoku BX." They are developing solutions such as SOEC (Solid OxideElectrolysis Cell) and SOFC ( Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) that will be the driving force for hydrogen utilizationand circular carbon, as well as regional CCU®, including methanation.
Investing in and supporting promising startups with diverse ideas is essential to promoting the realizationof a hydrogen and circular carbon society, not limited to our business domain. Moreover, the potential ofopen innovation, such as leveraging our group's assets for business development and participating incollaborative projects, is foreseen. This led to the launch of the SUISO MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project.
■ The society we aim for through the SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project
Niterra aims for a society where "they develop technologies and services to create a bright future basedon sustainable energy and resources, for the sake of people and the planet." The SUISO no MORI
(Hydrogen Forest) Project will support the early development and implementation of technologies,services, and businesses related to this envisioned society by investing in them and providing
demonstration fields.

Areas to consider for investment and collaboration

Overview of CVC Fund
Fund name

SUISO no MORI Fund L.P. (registered name)(address name: Niterra SUISO no MORI Fund)

Operation period

10 years

Total AmountManaged4 billion yen

Investment Area

Technology development and some services to realize a hydrogensociety and a carbon recycling societyGeneral Partner

Global Brain Corporation

Limited Partner

Niterra Co., Ltd.

About Global Brain Corporation
Company Name

Global Brain Corporation

location

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Representative

Yasuhiko Yurimoto

Established dateJanuary 1998

Business Contents

Venture Capital BusinessURL

https://globalbrains.com/en/■ Overview of the demonstration field

Image of demonstration field

Name

SUISO no MORI hub

Location

2808 Iwasaki, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture (Inside the Komaki Factoryof Niterra Co., Ltd.)

Total site area

Approximately 5,000 m2*Including demonstration test site and hydrogen infrastructure supply
space

Building areaApproximately 500 m2 (2-story steel frame)

Total floor area

Approximately 600 m2

Start of construction

May 2024 (planned)

Completion

November 2024 (planned)

■About the name and logo
The SUISO no MORI (Japanese words meaning a Hydrogen Forest) Project is a place for incubation andacceleration in the hydrogen and carbon circular. Like a forest that nurtures many lives, they hope thiswill be a base from which startups can take off like a bird, which is why they named it "SUISO no MORI"(Hydrogen Forest) and used birds as the logo.

Logo■ Future outlook
Starting from the SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project, Niterra will accelerate the development ofa hydrogen and circular carbon society through investment and open innovation. The Group has
cultivated more than 80 years to contribute to developing hydrogen and circular carbon industries for thefuture of the Earth.
In addition, the Group hopes that the operation of the SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project will
generate new business, build partnerships with government agencies and local communities, improveskills, and reform their company culture.
Undeterred, their Group remains steadfast in its commitment to realizing a sustainable society throughbusiness growth and actively addressing social issues.
■ SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project Website
URL: https://niterra-suisonomori.com■ Contact for this matter-Contact information for inquiries regarding the SUISO no MORI (Hydrogen Forest) Project
https://www.ngkntk.co.jp/english/contact/sustainability/*You will be redirected to the Niterra website's "Inquiries about Sustainability" form. Please contact us using
this form.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Niterra Co., Ltd. Corporate Communications Officeml_cc-pr-team@niterragroup.com

About Niterra
Founded in Nagoya, Japan in 1936, Niterra Co., Ltd. (formerly NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.) is renowned for its
NGK-branded spark plugs and NTK-branded ceramic products. Niterra, a coined word combining the Latinwords "niteo" (shine) and "terra" (Earth), was introduced in April 2023 to express the reborn company'scommitment to sustainability through an evolving portfolio focused on ceramics and beyond. Under thecorporate message "IGNITE YOUR SPIRIT," Niterra is now expanding into the growth fields of mobility,
healthcare, environment and energy, and communications. The company's consolidated revenues in fiscal
2023(to March 2024) totaled 614.4 billion yen (4,389 million USD). Niterra has 32 bases in Japan and 61
overseas, and approximately 16,000 employees worldwide. Please visit https://www.ngkntk.co.jp/english/.