UPCYCLE Technologies Inc. (Representative Director and CEO: Masatsuna Ogi; hereinafter referred to as “the Company”) participated in the online interim review meeting of the 2026 up stream lab. program, organized by Moriyama City, Shiga Prefecture, on October 15, 2026. CEO Masatsuna Ogi presented the progress of the Company’s project and outlined its plans for further development.
As a selected participant in Moriyama City’s 2026 Public-Private Partnership Project Support Program, “up stream lab.,” the Company is exploring ways to convert locally generated organic waste into valuable resources. At the interim review, we reported on collaboration with local food manufacturers, preliminary processing trials, and the potential recovery of resources from aquatic plants in Lake Biwa.
About the 2026 up stream lab. Interim Review
up stream lab. is a public-private partnership program organized by Moriyama City in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Since its kickoff in July 2026, participating companies have been advancing projects aimed at addressing regional challenges and developing new business opportunities.
The interim review on October 15 featured progress presentations by participating companies, followed by question-and-answer sessions with Mayor Takashi Morinaka. Representing UPCYCLE Technologies, CEO Masatsuna Ogi explained the Company’s collaboration with local businesses, progress to date, and plans for the next stages of the project.
Resource Recovery from Food Manufacturing Residues
With support from Moriyama City, the Company visited two local food manufacturers to explore resource recovery opportunities. The target materials include leftover dough generated during Baumkuchen production and soy-based liquid remaining after yuba (tofu skin) production. Proposals have been submitted to both businesses, and discussions are progressing toward obtaining residue samples for further testing.
For the liquid remaining after yuba production, the Company conducted preliminary manual trials using commercially available soy milk. These trials examined whether solid components could be separated and dried after removing the yuba. The next steps include testing actual manufacturing residues and analyzing the separated liquid to assess appropriate wastewater handling.
For these particular food manufacturing residues, the Company is exploring drying and pelletization rather than carbonization, with potential applications including poultry feed. By selecting processing methods suited to the characteristics of each material, we aim to develop practical opportunities for local resource utilization.
Exploring Biomass Fuel Production from Lake Biwa Aquatic Plants
Another area of exploration involves the utilization of aquatic plants collected from Lake Biwa. The Company is considering whether these plants can be crushed and processed into pellets suitable for use as biomass fuel.
During the interim review, Mayor Morinaka expressed interest in the potential environmental and regional benefits of this initiative. Subject to feedstock availability, the Company plans to evaluate key fuel properties, including calorific value and ash content, to assess the feasibility of practical applications.
Future Outlook
Moving forward, UPCYCLE Technologies will continue evaluating actual food manufacturing residue samples and exploring the fuel potential of Lake Biwa aquatic plants. The Company also aims to expand collaboration with local businesses and examine commercially viable resource recovery models that can be operated sustainably within the region.
Guided by our mission of “Building Infrastructure that Transforms Waste into Resources,” UPCYCLE Technologies will continue working closely with Moriyama City and local stakeholders to advance the effective utilization of unused resources and the development of a regional circular economy.
