Kyoto iCAP has invested 100 million yen in Rhinoflux Corporation, a Kyoto University spinoff developing innovative clean energy technology aimed at carbon neutrality.

Overview of the Target

Kyoto iCAP, headed by CEO Atsushi Mazawa, has announced a new investment in Rhinoflux Corporation, a Kyoto University spinoff startup focused on innovative energy solutions. Rhinoflux Corporation is developing a groundbreaking power generation device that can reduce CO2 emissions while generating electricity, based on a novel generation technology invented by Ryuuichi Ashida, a lecturer at the Graduate School of Engineering at Kyoto University.

As the world moves towards the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, particularly in the carbon-intensive power generation sector, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies that maximize limited resources while expanding the use of available materials for cost-effective and clean power generation. Rhinoflux has developed the 'Wet Chemical Looping Method,' which allows the use of previously unusable wet biomass as a power generation feedstock. This technology not only significantly reduces generation costs—allowing efficient operation even at small scales—but also eliminates the need for capturing and utilizing CO2 (CCUS), making it an attractive solution for industries generating wet biomass residues, such as the beverage and food sectors.

Industry Overview in Japan

The energy sector in Japan is undergoing significant transformations as the nation seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet international climate commitments. The Japanese government is focusing on promoting renewables, part