"Usable" carbon dioxide April 28, 16:12

Toward the realization of a carbon-free society, how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is now a major issue in various countries around the world.

Carbon dioxide is treated as a "troublesome thing", but did you know that it can be used as food and resources for microorganisms?

How to "use", not how to "do not put out".

We will approach the forefront of technological development with the idea of ​​reversal.

(Economic Department Reporter Yuka Nonaka, Muroran Bureau Reporter Usuki Ryo)

Do you eat carbon dioxide?

This microorganism.

The name is called hydrogen bacteria.

It measures 2 micrometers and 0.002 millimeters, and can be found anywhere in the soil.

The biggest feature is that it feeds on carbon dioxide.

Its absorption power is also outstanding.

It is also estimated that hydrogen bacteria can take up 65 times as much carbon dioxide as sugar cane absorbs by photosynthesis.

Kobe University is conducting cutting-edge research in this field.

Vice-President Akihiko Kondo, who is known as a leading researcher, points out the high possibility.

Vice President Kondo of Kobe University

"Hydrogen bacteria have an omnivorous nature that eats various things.

That's why. With the recent advancement of technology, it is possible to overwhelmingly increase the speed of eating carbon dioxide. I think I can do it. In

principle, I can make anything, so the potential is very large. "

Research does not progress significantly

The possibility of hydrogen bacteria has been known for a long time, such as NASA = US Aeronautics and Space Administration working on research on whether proteins can be produced in space in the 1960s.

However, research and development did not progress significantly because the technology for efficiently absorbing carbon dioxide was not sufficiently established.

In addition, it is said that the fact that the momentum for decarbonization has not increased worldwide as it is now is also having an effect.

Expanding the possibilities of biotechnology evolution

Now, in an era when serious global warming and no-wait measures are required.

And after all, the improvement of biotechnology has been a tailwind.

With the evolution of technology such as manipulating the genes of microorganisms, it is becoming possible to improve hydrogen bacteria themselves to make them easier to absorb carbon dioxide, and to make plastics from them.

Moreover, by automating the series of processes by machine, the efficiency is greatly improved, and the possibility of using this microorganism at the industrial level is increasing.

To improve the efficiency of repeating experiments

How to make hydrogen bacteria eat carbon dioxide and make effective use of it.

That's how it works.

When I visited the laboratory of Kobe University, it was cultivated in a flask.

Hydrogen bacteria are put into salt water, and hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide are injected into it at a ratio of 8: 1: 1.

While changing the conditions such as the injection speed, we are repeating experiments to find out under which conditions the substance can be produced more efficiently.

It is expected that such technological development will be useful for manufacturers in the future production of plastics and proteins.

Innovation that can be pursued by two rabbits

Vice-President Kondo points out that the whole country should nurture this field, saying that it is an "innovation that can pursue the two rabbits of economic growth and solving social issues."

Vice President Kondo of Kobe University

"Biotechnology can create a new industry.

If you make various things such as plastics using microorganisms, you can solve social issues while creating new value.

For example, making medicine .

It will be a foundation that can be expanded to various places, such as being able to do so, and it will be possible to grow new industries. "

Overseas is already the first move

In the United States and China, large-scale investment has already been made in this field and development competition is intensifying.

In China, the government has provided over 10 trillion yen in financial support for biotechnology research and development, and private investment is also active.

In the United States as well, trillions of dollars have been invested in this field, and startup company "Air Protein" is developing a technology that produces protein from hydrogen bacteria and can be eaten as an alternative meat.

The Japanese government also embarks on support

The government also took a heavy stance to catch up with each country.

In March, it announced a policy of actively providing financial support for the research and development of microorganisms such as hydrogen bacteria.

We are trying to promote collaboration between research institutes such as universities and private companies.

In April, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagita and Prime Minister Kishida visited the research facilities of Kobe University one after another, clarifying their stance of focusing on biotechnology.

Great potential of small small microorganisms.

The government is also trying to support its development efficiently so that it can be linked to the actual production of goods.

Mix carbon dioxide into concrete

On the other hand, efforts to make concrete by absorbing carbon dioxide, which is a “troublesome thing”, have also begun.

"Aizawa High Pressure Concrete", headquartered in Tomakomai City, Hokkaido, has signed a contract with a Canadian company and introduced a technology to mix carbon dioxide in the concrete manufacturing process.

We succeeded in putting low carbon concrete into practical use for the first time in Japan.

Can you reduce the amount of cement?

Concrete is usually made by mixing cement, water, gravel, etc.

When mixed with liquefied carbon dioxide in this process, calcium carbonate is created in the concrete, and the company says that the strength is 7% higher than the normal one.

Although the amount of carbon dioxide mixed in concrete is small, it is said that the amount of cement itself can be reduced if the strength is increased by the effect of calcium carbonate.

Akizawa High Pressure Concrete Aizawa Technical Research Institute Director Aoki

"Approximately 90% of the carbon dioxide emitted during the concrete manufacturing process is generated during the production of cement. In other words, the reduction of cement

will

directly lead to the reduction of carbon dioxide.

Replacing all of our flagship products with low-carbon concrete could save 710 tons of carbon dioxide annually,

which is a significant benefit as approximately 80,000 cedar trees absorb about 80,000 trees annually. "

Currently, low-carbon concrete technology is being introduced only to ready-made products made in advance at the factory.

In the future, we would like to be able to work on concrete hardening even at construction sites.

If this becomes possible, it will be used for a wide range of purposes, such as the use of low-carbon concrete in reinforced concrete buildings.

Akizawa High Pressure Concrete Aoki Director, Aizawa Technical Research Institute

"Since SDGs have become widespread in Japan, house makers and consumers are highly conscious of decarbonization. The

price is almost the same as ordinary concrete, so they want to adopt it. Has been sent a lot. "

Construction giants also enter

The movement to use carbon dioxide as a raw material for concrete is beginning to spread to major construction companies.

Last year, Taisei Corporation developed cement-free concrete by utilizing calcium carbonate.

This month, we partnered with Aisin, an automobile parts manufacturer, to develop a technology for producing calcium carbonate from carbon dioxide contained in exhaust gas and using it for concrete.

We aim to put this technology to practical use by around 2030.

In addition to using carbon dioxide as exhaust gas, it is possible that the amount of carbon dioxide used may exceed the amount emitted by not using cement, which emits a large amount of carbon dioxide during the manufacturing process.

There are challenges, but big opportunities

Hydrogen bacteria made from carbon dioxide and concrete.

It's a dream story, but of course there are challenges.

How to procure carbon dioxide in a stable manner.

In the case of concrete, in order to keep costs down, Tomakomai City is discussing the creation of a mechanism to consolidate industries that emit and use a large amount of carbon dioxide in a specific area.

Although it is troublesome, it is expensive to recover carbon dioxide.

In the case of hydrogen bacteria, the major issue is how to improve efficiency and reduce costs to the level where it can be established as a business.

To be internationally competitive, companies' willingness to develop, continued investment, and effective government funding need to be combined.

I felt that there is a possibility that it will be an opportunity to make a big change in the current manufacturing that depends on oil, with the reversal idea of ​​how to use it instead of how to not put it out.

Yuka Nonaka ,

Reporter , Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, joined the

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in

2010

after working at the Matsue Bureau, Hiroshima Bureau, and Metropolitan Area Bureau.

Muroran Broadcasting Station Tomakomai Branch Reporter

Usuki Ryo

Joined in 2019

After being in charge of disasters and nuclear power plants at the Sapporo Station, he is currently affiliated from November last year.