As part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, Toyota is conducting research on bioethanol in Okuma Town, Fukushima. This initiative symbolizes both the region’s recovery from the 2011 disaster and the emergence of new industrial opportunities.
In November 2024, a major facility—the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels (known as “raBit”)—was launched in Fukushima. This collaborative project brings together leading companies from the mobility, electronics, precision machinery, and other sectors to explore alternative fuels.
The facility focuses on bioethanol, one of several next-generation fuel options being studied by mobility companies, alongside hydrogen and electricity. The research is centered on improving the procurement of materials and reducing CO2 emissions in the bioethanol production process.
Globally, bioethanol is typically produced from feedstocks such as corn, sugarcane, and rice straw. However, at the Fukushima facility, a type of grass known as sorghum, sourced from nearby Namie Town, is being used as the primary feedstock. The facility is investigating how efficiently these materials can be converted into bioethanol for vehicle fuel.
The research also includes examining the potential of byproducts from the bioethanol production process, such as concentrated oxygen and CO2, to be utilized in other industrial applications.
This project highlights Fukushima’s transformation from a region devastated by the 2011 earthquake to a hub for next-generation fuel innovation, contributing to both regional recovery and global sustainability goals.
