2024/08/19 Launch of Joint study on the Production and Utilization of Biomethane from Animal Manure with Hamanaka Town and Corporate Partners

August 19, 2024

Hamanaka Town
JA Hamanaka
Takanashi Milk Products Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
MOL Sunflower Ltd.

Hamanaka Town, JA Hamanaka, Takanashi Milk Products Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., and MOL Sunflower Ltd. today announced the launch of a study on the production and utilization of biomethane from animal manure from local dairy farms in Hamanaka town, Hokkaido where is thriving with dairy farming.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is currently being used as a low-carbon fuel alternative to conventional fuels such as coal and oil and can reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 25%-40% compared to conventional fuels in factories and vessels. In this study, the six organizations will evaluate the feasibility of using all or part of the biomethane produced in Hamanaka Town to fuel factories and vessels, leading to major progress toward the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Biomethane is an effective energy source for the ultimate goal of decarbonization because it can be used current infrastructure for transport and consumption. The six organizations participating in the collaboration will bring their respective knowledge and experience to this study.

<Profiles of Study Participants>

JA Hamanaka

Established	March 1948
Location	61 Chanai Sakae, Hamanaka-cho, Akkeshi-gun, Hokkaido
Representative	Toru Takaoka
Business	Promotion and support of dairy and livestock industry in the region

Takanashi Milk Products Co., Ltd.

Established	April 1950
Location	5 Honjyuku-cho, Asahi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Representative	Nobuyoshi Takanashi
Business	Production and sales of dairy products

Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd.

Established	July 1911
Location	2-1-1 Higashi, Kita 7-jo, Higashi-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Representative	Chisato Kawamura
Business	Gas business, power supply business, heat supply business, Production/sale of gas appliances, etc.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Established	May 1884
Location	1-1 Toranomon 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Representative	Takeshi Hashimoto
Business	Ocean shipping, etc.

MOL Sunflower Ltd.

Established	March 2001
Location	18-13, Sotokanda 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative	Hirotoshi Ushioku
Business	General passenger liner service, coastal shipping business, freight forwarding, travel agency, etc.