Green Earth Institute

What Green Earth Institute does

Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. is a Japanese biotechnology company that develops fermentation-based biomanufacturing technologies to convert non-food biomass — including woody biomass, poplar, cotton waste, and synthetic sugars — into carbon-neutral biofuels and green chemicals. The company's core technology platform uses genetically engineered microorganisms, notably Corynebacterium glutamicum and hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, organized around proprietary processes such as the RITE Bioprocess and Smart Cell Technology. Its product portfolio includes Circular Bio Ethanol (used in ALBION cosmetic formulations), domestic bio-jet fuel compliant with ASTM D7566 (developed with Japan Airlines and JEPLAN), biodegradable aspartic acid (co-developed with DIC Corporation), and a CO2/H2-based biomanufacturing platform under the NEDO Green Innovation Fund. Lycopene production via smart cells has been verified at commercial scale in 3000L fermentation tanks with over 100x productivity improvement, with commercial deployment planned for fiscal year 2026.

The company's commercial model rests on three pillars: licensing and sale of bio-based products and proprietary fermentation technology to enterprise customers in cosmetics, food, chemicals, and aviation; co-development partnerships with strategic corporates (JAL, Airbus, DIC, Harima Chemical, ALBION, J-POWER) supported by R&D service fees and joint-venture arrangements; and non-dilutive government funding from NEDO and METI for technology development. Distribution is conducted via direct B2B enterprise engagement with anchor accounts, supplemented by event-driven visibility at Bio Japan and other industry conferences. The go-to-market relies heavily on a small number of high-profile anchor relationships — JAL for SAF, ALBION for cosmetics ingredients, DIC for green chemicals — and a tightly curated partnership network spanning Japanese research institutions (RITE, Osaka University, AIST, NIES) and large industrial partners (Sony Innovation Fund, Sojitz, Norinchukin Bank, Air Water). Geographic footprint is primarily Japan, with feasibility-stage expansion into Thailand (via J-POWER) and government-level engagement in the UAE.

Name

Green Earth Institute

Legal name

Green Earth Institute Co.,Ltd.

Website

https://gei.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Green Earth Institute is a Japanese biotechnology company that develops fermentation-based biomanufacturing technologies to convert non-food biomass into carbon-neutral biofuels (including SAF), bioethanol, and green chemicals for enterprise customers in cosmetics, aviation, and chemicals industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Biotechnology / Biofuels and Bio-based Chemicals

NAICS

Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (325194), Ethyl Alcohol Manufacturing (325193), All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (325199)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821)

akta.pro primary industry

Cellulosic Biofuels & Renewable Fuels (2G ethanol, SAF intermediates) (IMAMALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biofuels & Renewable Fuels Switching (Biomethane/RNG, Bio-oils, Sustainable Biomass) (EUABAJAD), Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)

Keywords

• Biomanufacturing technology
• Sustainable aviation fuel
• Bio-based chemicals
• Fermentation technology
• Cellulosic bioethanol

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bio-based Product Licensing and Sales: Licensing of proprietary fermentation technologies and sale of bio-based chemicals, ethanol, and materials produced through their biomanufacturing processes to cosmetics, food, and chemical companies.
2. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Development and commercialization of wood-based bio-jet fuel in partnership with JAL, Airbus, and Nippon Paper Industries for domestic Japanese aviation market.
3. R&D Services and Consulting: Collaborative research and development services with government agencies (NEDO, METI) and corporate partners, including feasibility studies and technology development projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Green Earth Institute produces carbon-neutral biofuels and green chemicals from non-food biomass using proprietary fermentation and biomanufacturing technologies. Its product portfolio includes cellulosic bioethanol (Circular Bio Ethanol / Green Earth Ethanol) for cosmetics and industrial use, domestic sustainable aviation fuel (bio-jet fuel meeting ASTM D7566), biodegradable aspartic acid-based superabsorbent polymers, lycopene produced via Smart Cell technology, and a Circular Bio disinfectant gel made from recycled paper. The company licenses its bioprocess technologies and collaborates on R&D with corporate partners and Japanese government agencies.

Product overview

Green Earth Institute is a Japanese biotechnology company developing biomanufacturing technologies for sustainable chemicals and fuels. The company's portfolio centers on fermentation-based production of bioethanol (Circular Bio™ Ethanol, Green Earth Ethanol), bio-jet fuel from domestic feedstocks, biodegradable materials (aspartic acid), and innovative CO2/H2-based biomanufacturing using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. These products form an integrated biorefinery approach targeting cosmetics, aviation fuel, and chemical material markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Circular Bio™ Ethanol: New bio-ethanol sourced from inedible biomass for applications in cosmetics and other industries.
• Green Earth Ethanol

Products and services

• Circular Bio Ethanol (Green Earth Ethanol) Bioethanol sourced from inedible biomass (poplar tree and woody biomass), produced via proprietary RITE Bioprocess fermentation, used as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived ethanol in cosmetics and other industrial applications.
• Domestic Bio-jet Fuel (SAF) Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) manufactured from domestic Japanese feedstocks including cotton clothing and woody biomass, meeting ASTM D7566 international aviation fuel standards. Developed in partnership with Japan Airlines, Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, and Sumitomo Corporation for the Japanese aviation market.
• Circular Bio Disinfectant Gel Disinfectant gel manufactured from shredder-recycled paper using GEI's Circular Bio ethanol platform, representing the first consumer-grade output of the Circular Bio Ethanol Project.
• Aspartic Acid (Biodegradable Superabsorbent Polymer) Naturally derived aspartic acid featuring biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) properties, developed jointly with DIC Corporation for sustainable material applications and biodegradable polymers.
• Lycopene (Smart Cell production) Lycopene produced via genetically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum using Smart Cell Technology, achieving over 100x productivity improvement versus initial strains and verified at commercial scale on a 3000L fermentation tank. Jointly developed with Harima Chemical Co., Ltd. and RITE for cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical applications with improved bioavailability; commercial deployment planned within fiscal year 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100x productivity improvement in lycopene production using smart cell technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Harima Chemical Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Joint development of mass production technology for lycopene using smart cells (genetically engineered Corynebacterium bacteria). Technology verified at commercial scale achieving over 100x productivity improvement.
• National Institute for Environmental Studies (RITE)coreTechnology or Integration · 12 March 2026Core R&D partner for smart cell lycopene production technology. Long-standing collaboration on biomanufacturing and fermentation production technology development.
• Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025Signed MoU to collaborate on pure Japan-domestic wood-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). JAL and GEI are part of a consortium including Airbus, Nippon Paper Industries, and Sumitomo Corporation for developing domestic SAF production capability.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025Part of MoU consortium for pure Japan-domestic wood-based SAF development. Collaborating on sustainable aviation fuel technology for the Japanese market.
• Nippon Paper IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025Part of MoU consortium for wood-based SAF production. Contributing woody biomass expertise for sustainable aviation fuel development.
• Sumitomo CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2025Part of MoU consortium for domestic wood-based SAF development. Contributing business network and resources for SAF commercialization.
• Joint Venture for Woody Biomass BioethanolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025Established joint venture for production and sale of bioethanol and other products from woody biomass. First commercial production of cellulosic bioethanol from woody biomass in Japan.
• Osaka UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2024Collaborative research under JST Mirai Program on 'High-rate bioproduction of valuable organic compounds using synthetic sugars'. Research results published in ChemBioChem international academic journal.
• National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2024Collaborative research partner in JST Mirai Program for synthetic sugar bioproduction. Three-party research initiative with GEI and Osaka University.
• NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)coreOthers · 3 April 2023Multiple project collaborations under Green Innovation Fund for CO2/H2 manufacturing technology using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. Also 'Bio Manufacturing Revolution Promotion Project' with approved subsidy extensions.
• JEPLANcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2023MOU for first commercial production of cellulosic bioethanol from woody biomass in Japan. JEPLAN is a PET recycling and bio-based chemicals company.
• Agro LudensminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2023Business development partnership for mycoprotein commercialization. GEI and Agro Ludens collaborating on developing and commercializing mycoprotein products.
• Japan UAE Collaboration on Advanced TechnologyminorOthers · 20 January 2023CEO Ihara participated in signing ceremony for 'Japan UAE Collaboration scheme for Advanced Technology' as a Japanese green tech start-up representative.
• J-POWERminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2023Feasibility study project on integrated biofuel and green chemical production utilizing oil palm tree waste in Thailand. Additional agreement for expanded feasibility studies.
• Minna Denryoku Co., Ltd.minorOthers · 15 July 2021Research center uses 100% renewable energy supplied through Minna Denryoku Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo).
• Hitachi Capital Co., Ltd.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2021Applied 'Circular Bio Project - Utilization of agricultural residue and food residue' to TEAM EXPO 2025 Program/Co-creation Challenge sponsored by Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition.
• ALBIONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 July 2020ALBION adopted Green Earth Ethanol (from inedible biomass, poplar tree) into IGNIS SUNNY SOUR LINE cosmetic product series. First domestic bio-ethanol used in cosmetic products.
• DIC CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2019Joint research initiative for developing naturally derived aspartic acid with biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) features. DIC is world's top share chemical manufacturer in printing ink, organic pigment, PPS compound.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering CorporationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 29 August 2013Engineering work agreement for facilities for ethanol and amino acid production using RITE bioprocess.
• METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)coreOthers · 17 July 2013Selected as commissioned project by METI for joint project with RITE. Support for commercialization of biomanufacturing in Kanto region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cathay Biotech: China-based bio-based chemicals company producing bio-polyamide monomers (e.g., pentamethylenediamine, L-lysine) via fermentation using engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum. Closely comparable to GEI's engineered-microbial biomanufacturing platform, with similar feedstock and target end markets.
• Aemetis: US-based renewable fuels company producing low-carbon SAF and renewable diesel from agricultural and cellulosic feedstocks. Comparable end-product focus (SAF) and feedstock strategy to GEI's aviation fuel initiatives.
• LanzaTech: US/NZ-based company using gas fermentation (engineered acetogenic bacteria) to convert CO, CO2, and H2 into ethanol, SAF, and chemicals. Directly comparable to GEI's fermentation-based bio-chemical/SAF platform and hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria technology.
• ZeaChem: US-based cellulosic biofuels company developing cellulosic ethanol and bio-based chemicals from woody biomass via fermentation. Directly comparable to GEI's woody biomass-to-bioethanol and bio-jet fuel pathway.
• Iogen: Canada-based cellulosic ethanol technology company producing renewable fuels and bio-based chemicals from agricultural residues via enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Comparable to GEI's woody biomass bioethanol platform.
• Genomatica: US-based bio-engineering company producing bio-based chemicals (e.g., 1,4-butanediol, butadiene) via engineered microorganisms. Directly comparable technology platform for fermentation-based bio-based chemicals targeting industrial customers.
• Gevo: US-based renewable fuels and chemicals company developing SAF and low-carbon hydrocarbons from fermentable carbohydrates. Direct comparable to GEI's bio-jet fuel and bioethanol initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Neste: Finland-based global leader in renewable diesel and SAF (HEFA pathway) at multi-billion-dollar scale. Represents the established incumbent benchmark against which GEI's emerging SAF platform must compete on cost and offtake.
• NatureWorks: US-based established producer of bio-based PLA polymers from plant sugars via fermentation. Represents a broader-incumbent bio-based materials producer and is comparable to GEI's aspartic acid-based biodegradable polymer (SAP) initiative.

Emerging players

• SunFire: Germany-based e-fuels and green hydrogen company producing synthetic SAF and chemicals using CO2 and renewable hydrogen. Comparable end-product portfolio (SAF, renewable chemicals) using a different but adjacent carbon-to-fuel pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-earth-institute-co-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors13 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Green Earth Institute