News / ニュース

Binex Inc. (“Binex”; Head Office: Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiromichi Aoki) will complete construction of a large-scale biomass combustion and synthesis gas production plant in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture in April 2022. By June the plant will begin concurrent operation with the existing biomethanol production plant after the former’s test runs and other preparations are concluded. These developments will establish a full-scale shipment system for biomethanol samples. The plant was operated by Chuo Kankyo (Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture) until 2011 before being transferred last year from the company to Binex, who refurbished and re-built it with state-of-the-art technology. Chuo Kankyo will provide assistance with future operations.

Previously, a small biomass combustion and biomethanol production plant located in Isahaya City, Nagasaki Prefecture (“Isahaya Plant”) was transferred to Binex from Biomass Energy Corporation, a company founded in May 2021 and one of Binex’s major shareholders. The biomethanol produced at this plant was provided to Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and was utilized in the 2021 F1 Championship as fuel for the Red Bull-Honda F1 racing cars.

Going forward, a biomass combustion and syngas production plant to be completed in Nagasaki City (“Nagasaki Plant”) will be capable of producing biomass syngas on a scale 10 times that of the Isahaya plant. If the full plant capacity is utilized for biomethanol, it will be possible to produce approximately 350 kiloliters per year. This plant will also make possible the provision of biomass syngas to produce SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)^※1 and ABF (Advanced Biofuels)^※2, such as biodiesel and ethanol.

With the completion of the Nagasaki Plant, which is based on the technology and experience accumulated at the Isahaya Plant, Binex will establish a large-scale biomass syngas and biomethanol production system. Binex plans to supply biomethanol to oil companies, petrochemical companies, major automobile manufacturers, industrial gas companies, trading companies, and others, as well as partake in the joint development of SAF and ABF.

Commenting on the announcement, Hiromichi Aoki, Representative Director of Binex, stated the following:
“We are very pleased to announce the completion of the Nagasaki Plant, which combines the biomass combustion and biomass syngas production technologies developed over many years by Biomass Energy, one of our major shareholders, and will allow us to begin shipping biomethanol samples to the many companies that have been waiting to obtain them. While we have achieved production of biomethanol and biodiesel from the biomass syngas produced at the Isahaya Plant, we are also capable of synthesizing SAF and ABF, and are in discussions with many trading companies and energy companies in Japan and abroad. We expect that the operation of the Nagasaki Plant will greatly advance these efforts and, together with the development of sorghum breeding suitable for gasification^※3 that we are developing together with the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo, will be another big step toward the realization of carbon negativity.”

Through these activities, Binex is truly committed to reducing the Earth’s carbon footprint.

Binex Inc.
Binex was established to earnestly address food, environmental, and energy issues and construct a value chain for biomethanol. Binex aims to breed and cultivate sorghum varieties that sequester large quantities of carbon dioxide during growth; supply sorghum grain as a foodstuff; produce and supply biomethanol from sorghum residue such as leaves and stalks; provide fuel cells that use biomass methanol as a hydrogen carrier; utilize biofuel in semiconductor manufacturing, fuels for internal combustion engines, and petrochemical raw materials; and develop additional applications, including chemical products that replace fossil fuels with biomass-derived materials.

※1 SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel):
A type of advanced aviation biofuel.

※2 ABF (Advanced Bio-Fuel):
Biofuels made from various types of non-edible, sustainable biomass.

※3 In October 2021, Binex signed an agreement with the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences of the University of Tokyo for joint research in Peru on sorghum as a biomass feedstock. Test cultivation has already commenced.

Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (“Honda R&D”) announced at The Chemical Society of Japan’s 102nd Spring Annual Meeting on March 23, 2022 that the biomethanol Binex Inc. (“Binex”) is preparing to mass produce was utilized in the 2021 F1 Championship as fuel for the Red Bull-Honda F1 racing cars, of which Honda Motor Company (“Honda”) was a constructor.

The objective of Honda R&D’s research is to promote the use of e-fuel, which is a renewable main ingredient of F1 fuel. Red Bull-Honda used the fuel developed through this research at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Honda driver Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and became Drivers’ Champion in 2021.

The biomethanol supplied to Honda was developed and manufactured jointly with Honda by Biomass Energy Corporation, one of Binex’s major shareholders. Last year, Biomass Energy Corporation’s biomethanol production division was transferred to Binex, and Binex was granted an exclusive license for biomethanol production and related technologies. Binex will be responsible for the production and sales of biomethanol moving forward.

In preparation for the mass production of biomethanol, Binex began joint research and development related to genome breeding of sorghum varieties optimized for use as biomass for gasification systems with the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences in October 2021. Binex has also begun trial sorghum cultivation on three hectares of land in Peru and plans to secure 5,000 hectares of farmland and begin full-scale cultivation by the end of 2022.

In order to list its operating subsidiary on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) Catalist market, Binex entered into a legally binding sale and purchase agreement on January 31, 2022 with Sinjia Land Limited, a SGX listed company. This is expected to result in a reverse takeover.

Through these activities, Binex is truly committed to reducing the Earth’s carbon footprint.

This year, 3DOM Singapore became a member of the Singapore Business Federation (“SBF”). We look forward to taking advantage of SBF’s many events and resources to make meaningful cross-industry connections and propel the shift to clean energy and next-generation transportation in Singapore.

About the Singapore Business Federation
The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is the apex business chamber championing the interests of the Singapore business community in the areas of trade, investment and industrial relations. It represents 27,000 companies, as well as key local and foreign business chambers. https://www.sbf.org.sg/

We are pleased to announce that this year 3DOM Singapore has become a member of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS). We look forward to utilizing SEAS’s strong network and resources to promote 3DOM Singapore’s business development and support the growth of the sustainable energy sector in Singapore.

About the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS)
The Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) is a non-government and non-profit business association that represents the interests and provides a common platform for companies in the sustainable energy sector to meet, discuss, collaborate and undertake viable projects together. https://www.seas.org.sg/

On January 31, 2022, BINEX Inc. (“BINEX”), 3DOM Inc., Biomass Energy Corporation, Mebius Inc., and Future Science Research Inc. (the “BSG Shareholders”) entered into a legally binding Sale and Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Sinjia Land Limited^※1 (“Sinjia”), a Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) Catalist listed company, in relation to the proposed acquisition of the entire issued and paid-up share capital of BINEX Singapore (Pte. Ltd.) (“BSG”) by Sinjia (the “Proposed Acquisition”). The Proposed Acquisition is expected to result in and premised upon a reverse takeover (“RTO”)^※2 of Sinjia. The objective is to strengthen BSG’s presence and raise funds through its listing on the Catalist via the Proposed Acquisition and subsequent procedures.

Sinjia is to acquire the entire issued and paid-up share capital of BSG for a consideration equivalent to 80% of the valuation of BSG conducted by an independent qualified valuer, which shall not be lower than S$2 billion. Consideration for the Proposed Acquisition will be paid to the BSG Shareholders via the issuance of Sinjia shares at an issue price of S$0.35 per share.

Following conclusion of the SPA, Sinjia and a third party will conduct due diligence on and prepare a valuation of BSG. The Proposed Acquisition is conditional upon the fulfillment or waiver of these and other conditions set forth in the SPA.

For details, please refer to the announcements released by Sinjia on November 19, 2021 and January 31, 2022.

BINEX Representative Director Hiromichi Aoki comments, “We are very pleased to have concluded this binding Sale and Purchase Agreement with Sinjia. We have licensed technology and know-how related to sorghum cultivation and the manufacture and supply of herbaceous pellets and biomethanol to BSG, and we hope that the funds raised following this agreement will accelerate the realization of our mission to provide integrated solutions to environmental, food, and energy problems.”

※1 Sinjia Land Limited:
Representative: Cheong Weixiong, Executive Director/Group Chief Executive Officer
SGX Stock Code: 5HH
Website: www.sinjl.com

※2 Reverse Takeover (RTO):
A method by which an unlisted company can be listed through acquisition by or merger with a listed company, as set forth in the Listing Manual of the Singapore Exchange Catalist Market (Listing Manual Section B, Chapter 10).

23 December 2021 – 3DOM’s CTO, Professor Kiyoshi Kanamura of Tokyo Metropolitan University, received The Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan^※１ (Takei Award)^※２ for 2022 in recognition of his creation of multiscale storage battery and fuel cell materials based on structural control and interface design.

“I am honored to be selected for The Award of The Electrochemical Society of Japan. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for the support and assistance of the researchers and engineers I worked with,” says 3DOM CTO Kiyoshi Kanamura.

“Our research on the ‘creation of multiscale storage battery and fuel cell materials based on structural control and interface design’ was recognized because the results obtained by expanding our research on interface analysis, cathode and anode material synthesis, and separators, which are necessary for battery development, from the nm to cm order contributed to the development of practical batteries. In particular, I think it was considered original that we introduced the three-dimensionally ordered macroporous structure in the scale of μm into the world of batteries. Our research on 3DOM separators has been recognized worldwide and is the source of the company’s name. I am determined to continue my research in order to live up to this award, contribute to the battery field, and make further progress in technological development.”

※１ The Electrochemical Society of Japan:
A Japanese academic association whose purpose is to promote research on the fundamentals and applications of electrochemistry, to advance industrial technology based on this research, and to thus contribute to the advancement of academic culture and the development of society.

※２ The Award of the Electrochemical Society of Japan (Takei Award):
Established in 1977 based on a fund donated by former Chairman Takeshi Takei.
The Award is given to those who have conducted outstanding research that contributes to the progress and development of electrochemistry and industrial physical chemistry and have published their achievements in the journals of the Society and related academic associations.

Website: The Electrochemical Society of Japan
Announcement of 2022 Award Recipients
URL: https://www.electrochem.jp/post_news/4720/

3DOM Inc. (“3DOM”) and its subsidiary 3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“3DOM SG”) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with system integrator Eneman Co., Ltd. (“Eneman”) for a strategic partnership related to energy storage solutions for solar and other renewable energy projects. The energy storage solutions will combine 3DOM’s reliable and long-life batteries with Eneman’s advanced energy management technology to support renewable power generation in Japan and overseas.

3DOM and 3DOM SG will provide battery cells and modules, while Eneman will handle system integration of energy storage solutions for future collaborative projects. The companies will also collect and analyze data from collaborative projects for product and service improvements.

“Our goal is to accelerate the shift towards renewable energy by utilizing long-life batteries to achieve more sustainable and economical energy storage,” says 3DOM SG Director & CEO Shusuke Oguro. “This partnership furthers our mission by expanding our project potential and incorporating Eneman’s renewable energy self-consumption, peak shaving, and demand management technologies for greater efficiency.”

“Energy storage solutions that use cutting-edge long-life batteries are essential for the proliferation of renewable energy. By combining our companies’ technologies and knowledge, we will work to build a sustainable society,” says Eneman Representative Director Taiichiro Mio.

About Eneman Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Taiichiro Mio
Capital: ￥16,000,000
Established: June 2015
Business activities: Technical development, design, sales, construction, and maintenance of facilities utilizing renewable energy; technical development, design, sales, construction, and maintenance of stand-alone power systems
Shareholders: Chuo Bussan Co., Ltd.; ENERGY SOLUTIONS Inc.; Goodfellows, inc.; ISES inc.; Yokohama Kankyo Design co., ltd.; Just now Corporation

7 December 2021 – G8 Subsea has won top accolades in recognition of business innovation, resilience, and excellence at the 2021 Emerging Enterprise Awards organized by The Business Times and OCBC. The achievement was featured in The Business Times.

Website: The Business Times
“G8 Subsea, KoolLogix and Nanosun win top accolades at Emerging Enterprise Awards”
URL: https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/awards/g8-subsea-koollogix-and-nanosun-win-top-accolades-at-emerging-enterprise-awards

Yokohama, Japan – December 2, 2021 – 3DOM Inc. (“3DOM”) today announced that it has entered into a transaction agreement (the “Agreement”) for business collaboration, investment, and a share swap with G8 SUBSEA PTE. LTD. (“G8”). In the business collaboration, 3DOM’s wholly-owned subsidiary 3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“3DOM SG”) will become the primary supplier of batteries and energy storage solutions for all of G8’s wind, solar, and hydro power projects. G8 will benefit from reliable, long-life batteries that enable more efficient and economical energy storage for renewable energy projects.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, 3DOM is to invest up to US$10 million in G8, representing an aggregate of up to 5% of G8 at a valuation of US$200 million. In the share swap, 3DOM SG is to issue new shares representing 8% of 3DOM SG’s enlarged issued share capital in consideration for the issue by G8 of new shares representing 24% of G8’s enlarged issued share capital.

In addition to the supply of batteries, 3DOM SG is to supply technology and systems for the monitoring of battery conditions and appropriate allocation of first-life and second-life batteries for projects. Meanwhile, 3DOM SG and G8 will jointly explore new opportunities for renewable power generation, including those related to thermal power generation using biomass-derived pellets, in addition to the further development of wind, solar, and hydro power generation business.

3DOM SG and G8 will also jointly explore business related to electric mobility, including the implementation of a total-zero-carbon-emission model for commercial transport businesses, in which electric vehicles are provided by lease/subscription and charged with renewable energy. The goal is to reuse these vehicle batteries in stationary energy storage applications, establishing a circular system of first-life and second-life use that takes advantage of 3DOM batteries’ longevity.

“There is great synergy between 3DOM and G8,” says 3DOM SG Director & CEO Shusuke Oguro. “We are very pleased for the chance to supply our advanced lithium-ion batteries for G8’s renewable energy storage applications in Singapore and across Asia. Moreover, 3DOM and G8 share a closely aligned vision for the future, so we are excited to leverage each company’s strengths and explore new opportunities for more environmentally-friendly power generation and transportation made uniquely possible by this partnership.”

“We are truly excited about this technological and business collaboration with 3DOM. It enables our Group to offer world leading solutions to clean energy storage with 3DOM’s breakthrough battery technology. G8 is now able to integrate 3DOM’s battery and fuel cell systems to offer complete and long-life energy storage solutions to our commercial and utility clients,” says G8 Founder & Managing Director Gerald Tan.

About 3DOM Inc.
3DOM Inc. is a Japanese venture company that aims to truly solve critical environmental issues through the research and development of advanced lithium-ion battery, next-generation battery, and fuel cell technologies and the formulation of innovative business models that maximize the technology’s environmental and social impact.

About 3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
3DOM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3DOM Inc. responsible for production and supply of lithium-ion batteries developed by 3DOM Inc. for use in mobility and energy storage applications. The company further proposes circular business models that take advantage of the batteries’ unique characteristics, including superior lifespan and reliability, to increase the sustainability of electrification.

About G8 SUBSEA PTE. LTD.
G8 develops and constructs renewable energy projects across the globe. Headquartered in Singapore, the group presently has over 2.5GW of renewable energy and subsea transmission projects under development in Asia. The company is Asia’s leading subsea engineering solutions provider with proprietary engineering technologies to accelerate offshore windfarms and large scale floating solar developments across the region.

　On November 19, 2021, BINEX Inc. (“BINEX”) entered into a non-binding term sheet with Sinjia Land Limited^※1 (“Sinjia”) in relation to the proposed acquisition of the entire issued and paid-up share capital of BINEX Singapore (Pte. Ltd.) (“BSG”), a subsidiary of BINEX. The proposed acquisition is expected to result in a reverse takeover (“RTO”)^※2 of Sinjia. The objective is to strengthen BSG’s presence and raise funds from the Catalist market.
　Sinjia is to acquire the entire issued and paid-up share capital of BSG for 80% of the valuation of BSG conducted by an independent qualified valuer, which shall not be lower than S$2 billion. The acquisition consideration will be paid via the issuance of Sinjia shares at a pre-consolidation issue price of S$0.35 per share.
　For details, please refer to the announcement released by Sinjia on November 19, 2021.

※1 Sinjia Land Limited:
Representative: Cheong Weixiong, Executive Director/Group Chief Executive Officer
SGX Stock Code: 5HH
Website: www.sinjl.com

※2 Reverse Takeover (RTO):
A method by which an unlisted company can be listed through acquisition by or merger with a listed company, as set forth in the Listing Manual of the Singapore Exchange Catalist Market (Listing Manual Section B, Chapter 10).