Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration

What Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration does

Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters (福井大学産学官連携本部) is a department within the national University of Fukui that serves as the coordination hub linking university research with regional industry and government partners. Founded in 1992 as the Regional Joint Research Center with roughly 60 founding companies, it operates the Cooperative Association (協力会) of approximately 240 member companies paying ¥50,000 per unit annual fees, and coordinates joint research, commissioned research, donations and scholarships, shared equipment access, technology licensing, and human resource development programs. Its primary service customers are Fukui Prefecture companies — predominantly textile manufacturers, with named partners including Fujix, ASICS, Urban Research, EDWIN/Lee, T.K. Garment Supply, Lacorme, Matsukawa Repiyane, Sustainatech, and Ark Edge Space — alongside Thai and South American universities for international talent programs.

The organization's core technology platform is supercritical fluid dyeing and decolorization using carbon dioxide instead of water, developed by Professor Hirogaki Kazumasa and colleagues; patent application 特願2024-171507 was filed September 30, 2024, claiming near-100% dye removal. A parallel research portfolio spans cellulose nano-fiber composites, triboelectric nanogenerators, small satellite development (OPTIMAL-1 with Ark Edge Space), AI-based fabric inspection and medical dialogue summarization, MOF-based PET decomposition enzymes, and cosmetic ingredient analysis. The Future Co-Creation Textile Center, a 4-floor METI-subsidized facility completed December 2024 on the Bunkyo Campus, alongside the Technical Innovation Co-Creation Center with shared analytical instruments (FE-SEM, SPM/AFM, XRM micro-CT, XRD, DART-MS, CLSM) underpins the platform's infrastructure.

Revenue mechanics combine membership fees (primary recurring base), per-project joint and commissioned research fees, shared equipment usage fees at member-discounted rates, donations and scholarships, and technology transfer royalties. Distribution is relationship-led via the Cooperative Association, direct industry consultation (TEL 0776-27-8956), national events co-hosted with JST (New Technology Briefings, Innovation Japan), the annual FUNTEC Forum (35th edition), and a Bangkok office supporting Thailand/Southeast Asia engagements. The organization has been selected for the JST COI-NEXT Regional Co-Creation Program (November 2023), certified as a METI J-Innovation HUB, and chosen for the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 and Science Agora 2025 — government validations that anchor its role as a designated regional innovation hub centered on the Fukumira circular textile initiative.

Name

Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration

Legal name

福井大学産学官連携本部 (University of Fukui Headquarters for Innovative Society-Academia Cooperation)

Website

https://hisac.u-fukui.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters is a national university department coordinating industry-academia research partnerships, with a 240-company cooperative association and proprietary supercritical fluid textile dyeing technology deployed commercially for ASICS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Services

NAICS

Textile Product Mills (314), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable & Responsible Supply Chain (ESG, Scope 3) (BPAHAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD), International Science, Technology & Space Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAK)

Keywords

• Industry-academia collaboration
• Joint research services
• Technology licensing
• Shared research equipment
• Human resource development

Headquarters

HQ city

Fukui

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cooperative Association Membership Fees: The organization operates a cooperative association (福井大学産学官連携本部協力会) with approximately 240 member companies. Companies pay annual membership fees (年会費一口5万円, minimum one unit) to access joint research coordination, shared equipment use, technology consultation, human resource development programs, and networking events. This is the primary revenue stream for sustaining the organization's operations.
2. Joint Research and Commissioned Research: The organization facilitates joint research (共同研究) and commissioned/trusted research (受託研究) between university faculty and industry partners. These arrangements generate revenue for the university and provide companies with access to university research capabilities and facilities. Terms and funding levels are negotiated on a per-project basis.
3. Shared Equipment Usage Fees: Revenue generated from companies and external organizations using university-owned shared research equipment (共用研究設備). Cooperative association members receive discounted rates compared to non-members. Equipment includes advanced analytical instruments at the Technical Innovation Co-Creation Center and Future Co-Creation Textile Center.
4. Scholarships and Donations: The organization accepts donations (寄附金) from companies and individuals. Donors may receive recognition and preferential access to certain programs. These contributions support research activities and human resource development initiatives.
5. Technology Transfer and Licensing: Revenue from licensing university-developed technologies and intellectual property to industry partners. The organization manages intellectual property from invention disclosure through technology transfer. Examples include supercritical fluid dyeing technology and fiber recycling processes licensed to textile companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Headquarters serves as the University of Fukui's central unit for coordinating industry-academia-government collaboration. It facilitates joint research and commissioned research between university faculty and regional companies, manages shared analytical equipment (FE-SEM, XRM, XRD, SPM/AFM) for member companies, provides intellectual property protection and technology licensing services, runs the cooperative association (~240 member companies), and operates human resource development programs including global industry talent training via the Bangkok office. Its flagship proprietary capability is supercritical fluid dyeing and decolorization technology developed under the Fukumira project for sustainable textile manufacturing, commercially demonstrated through dyeing ASICS athletic uniforms.

Product overview

Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters operates as a unified university-industry coordination platform providing research collaboration, commissioned research, shared research facilities, intellectual property support, and human resource development programs. The core technology offering centers on supercritical fluid dyeing and decoloring (超臨界流体染色・脱色技術) developed through the Fukumira (フクミラ) project for sustainable textile manufacturing. Key infrastructure includes the Future Co-creation Textile Center (未来共創テキスタイルセンター), Technical Innovation Co-creation Center, and shared analytical equipment facilities. The Cooperation Association provides member companies access to research collaboration, training programs, and subsidized equipment use. The organization manages over 240 member companies and coordinates international human resource development programs with partner universities in Thailand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• フクミラ (Fukumira): A project to create new approaches to the textile industry, transforming Fukui's fiber production area into a fully circular textile model. Uses supercritical fluid technology for water-free dyeing and decolorization.
• 未来共創テキスタイルセンター (Future Co-creation Textile Center)
• 附属テクニカルイノベーション共創センター (Technical Innovation Co-creation Center)
• IF-STUDIO

Products and services

• Fukumira Project (Creating Fukui's Future / フクミラ) A comprehensive sustainable textile initiative addressing the textile industry's environmental impact, integrating supercritical fluid dyeing/decolorization, chemical recycling, fiber waste upcycling, and IT-embedded smart textiles to create a fully circular, waterless fiber production ecosystem. Involves 30+ partner companies, universities, and local governments.
• Supercritical Fluid Dyeing and Decolorization Technology (超臨界流体染色・脱色技術) Waterless fabric dyeing and decolorization technology using supercritical CO2 instead of water, enabling repeated re-dyeing cycles for true circular fashion. Commercially demonstrated through dyeing of ASICS athletic uniforms via Fujix Co., Ltd. under the METI Go-Tech Program; eliminates approximately 2,368 liters of water use per garment.
• Future Co-Creation Textile Center (未来共創テキスタイルセンター / Building III) A 4-floor facility on Bunkyo Campus housing supercritical fluid dyeing/decolorization research floors, IF-STUDIO open innovation spaces, joint workshops, precision prototyping rooms, and analysis/evaluation facilities for textile research. Constructed under METI FY2022 subsidy program and certified under J-Innovation HUB.
• Technical Innovation Co-Creation Center (附属テクニカルイノベーション共創センター) Center managing shared analytical research equipment — including FE-SEM (Zeiss GeminiSEM560), SPM/AFM, XRM micro-CT (Bruker SkyScan 1272), XRD, DART-MS, CLSM, and precision wire saws — available at reduced cost to cooperative association members and external users, with regular equipment training workshops.
• Cooperative Association (産学官連携本部協力会) Membership-based program serving approximately 240 regional companies with annual membership fee of ¥50,000 per unit (minimum one unit). Members receive free access to lectures, training and events; discounted access to shared research equipment; research funding information and application support; MOT and business development programs; student networking at career fairs; and subsidies for joint recruiting events.
• Joint Research and Commissioned Research Coordination (共同研究 / 受託研究) Coordination service facilitating joint research and commissioned research between university faculty and industry partners, providing companies access to university research capabilities and facilities. Funding levels are negotiated on a per-project basis.
• Intellectual Property Management and Technology Licensing Service Full-cycle intellectual property support — from invention disclosure by university researchers through patent prosecution to technology licensing and commercialization. Includes IP community study sessions (15-43 company participants) covering patent database search, patent mapping, and IP strategy.
• Global Industry Human Capital Development Program (国際展開・国際人材育成プログラム) Program developing globally competent professionals through partnerships with universities in Thailand (Thammasat, Khon Kaen, Chandrakasem Rajabhat, Sripatum, College of Asian Scholars) and Peru (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos), coordinated through the Bangkok office. Includes First Thai Language training, problem-solving international industry survey programs, student exchanges, and corporate training for companies expanding to Southeast Asia.
• University Venture Company Support Service (大学発ベンチャー支援) Support for university-launched venture companies including intellectual property management, business plan development, funding navigation, and co-location in university facilities. Notable supported venture involves small satellite development (OPTIMAL-1) with private sector partners.
• FUNTEC Forum (ファンテックフォーラム) Annual technology conference and networking event (33rd-35th editions documented) combining technology showcases, special lectures, and networking sessions to build relationships and initiate industry-academia collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supercritical fluid decolorization achieves near-100% dye removal — world's first — enabling repeated fiber reuse cycles
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate, minor and major.

• Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) — 科学技術振興機構coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2023JST is the primary government funding and program partner for the university. Through JST, the university participates in multiple programs: COI-NEXT (共創の場形成支援プログラム) supporting the Fukumira project; New Technology Briefings (新技術説明会) for presenting university research to industry; Innovation Japan/University Fair (イノベーション・ドipan); and Science Agora science communication events. JST also supports international collaborations including a patent application (特願2024-171507) and international joint research projects with Thailand universities.
• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) — 経済産業省coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2023METI recognizes the university as a certified organization under the J-Innovation HUB (地域オープンイノベーション拠点選択制度). The Future Co-Creation Textile Center was constructed under METI's FY2022 Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Subsidy Program for Regional Core Universities' Incubation and Industry-Academia Fusion Hub Development (地域の中核大学等のインキュベーション・産学融合拠点の整備). METI also supports Go-Tech Program collaborations between the university and textile companies.
• Khon Kaen University (タイ国立コンケン大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2023University-wide agreement signed August 10, 2023. Khon Kaen University collaborates with the university on regional revitalization research projects, including joint surveys on regional creation and regional development conducted in February, September, and February 2024-2025, facilitated by the university's Regional Creation Promotion Headquarters.
• College of Asian Scholars, Thailand (タイ私立カレッジアジアティック)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2015Agreement signed June 20, 2015, contributing to the network of Thai university partnerships supporting the international human resource development program. The partnership facilitates student exchanges and collaborative education activities as part of the broader Thailand engagement strategy.
• Chandrakasem Rajabhat University (タイ国立チャンカセーム・ラチャパット大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 June 2015Agreement signed June 19, 2015, with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The university's Bangkok office is housed at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University (9th Floor, Office of the President). The university conducts problem-solving international industry survey programs and student exchanges with this partner. Professor Takemoto Takuji (竹本拓治) received an honorary doctorate from this university in June 2020.
• Sripatum University (タイ私立スリパトゥーン大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2014University-wide agreement signed September 10, 2014. The university conducts a 'First Thai Language' training program with Sripatum, hosting 10-32 students annually from 2012-2018. The program introduces Thai language and culture to Fukui University students as part of the international human resource development curriculum.
• Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (ペルー国立サンマルコス大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2014Agreement signed February 28, 2014, with the Faculty of Mining Engineering. This represents the university's only South American academic partnership, contributing to international diversity in the global human resource development program and providing exposure to mining and resource engineering collaboration opportunities.
• Thammasat University (タイ王国タマサート大学)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2012Thammasat University is the university's longest-standing international partner in Thailand. An inter-departmental agreement was signed with the East Asia Research Institute in December 2012, upgraded to a university-wide agreement in 2017. The university conducts joint international business feasibility studies (2017-2019, 2023-2024) and the Global Industry Human Resource Development Program with Thammasat, hosting annual student programs since 2012.
• Fujix Co., Ltd. (株式会社フジックス)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFujix Co., Ltd. collaborated with the university and Shiga Prefecture Industrial Technology Center under the METI Go-Tech Program (経済産業省成長型中小企業等研究開発支援事業) to establish practical-level thread-level supercritical fluid dyeing technology and apply it to ASICS athletic uniforms. Fujix serves as the primary industry partner for commercializing the university's supercritical fluid dyeing technology, working with Tomotsu Chemiplas Co. to serve ASICS.
• Sustainatech Co., Ltd. (株式会社サステナテック)coreTechnology or IntegrationGuest researcher Hori Teruo (堀照夫), representative of Sustainatech Co., Ltd., co-developed the supercritical fluid decolorization technology with Professor Hirogaki Kazumasa. The technology builds on NEDO pioneering research results and was advanced through the JST Co-Creation Forum Formation Support Program. Sustainatech represents the bridge between university research and commercial implementation of supercritical fluid textile processing.
• ASICS Corporation (アシックス社)majorTechnology or IntegrationASICS is the end-user customer for the university's supercritical fluid thread dyeing technology. Through the Go-Tech Program collaboration with Fujix Co., Ltd. and Shiga Prefecture Industrial Technology Center, ASICS athletic uniforms were successfully dyed using the university's waterless supercritical fluid technology — representing the first commercial application of the technology in the athletic apparel sector.
• T.K. Garment Supply Co., Ltd. (T.K.ガーメントサプライ株式会社)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Fukui City, T.K. Garment Supply contributes remake and upcycling expertise to the Fukumira project. The company transforms waste denim and B/C-grade fabrics into new products (bags, skirts) for the circular fashion initiative. It collaborated with Keishin High School on producing sacosh bags from waste jeans for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and participated in 'Guru Guru Fukui 2024.'
• Lacorme Co., Ltd. (株式会社ラコーム)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Katsuyama City, Lacorme contributes advanced sewing and dyeing expertise to the Fukumira circular textile ecosystem. The company applied its dyeing knowledge to remake shirts into new products for the 'Guru Guru Fukui 2024' initiative using the university's supercritical fluid dyeing technology, and participated as a guest speaker in graduate entrepreneurship classes.
• Matsukawa Repiyane Co., Ltd. (株式会社松川レピヤン)majorTechnology or IntegrationBased in Sakai City, Matsukawa Repiyane is Japan's largest chenor ribbon factory and contributed to the Fukumira project by creating new shirt and hat products integrating its ribbons into clothing. Its patent-registered QR code label (Patent #5038915) is used on Fukumira products to share product stories digitally. Participated in 'Guru Guru Fukui 2024.'
• Keishin High School (啓新高等学校)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fashion Design Department of Keishin High School collaborates with the university and industry partners on circular fashion education. Students have participated in multiple Fukumira activities: producing sacosh bags from waste jeans for the Osaka-Kansai Expo, rosette workshops at 'Guru Guru Fukui 2024,' and international exchanges with Korean high school students in Busan. University faculty (PL Yonezawa) conduct regular classes at the school.
• Jin-ai Women's College / Jin-ai Women's Junior College (仁愛女子短期大学)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with the university on textile recycling education programs. Students from both institutions participate together in sustainability workshops. Professor Azazaki Toshifumi (澤崎敏文) serves as a visiting professor at the university while teaching at Jin-ai, coordinating joint recycling education activities and overseas PBL programs with Nepal.
• Tech Startup HOKURIKU (TeSH) — 北陸スタートアップ創出プラットフォームmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeSH is a startup creation platform with Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) and Kanazawa University as core institutions, covering 11 universities and 3 technical colleges across the Hokuriku region. The university participates in TeSH-organized IP seminars and startup support activities. TeSH hosted a joint IP seminar at the university in April 2025.
• Shiga Prefecture Industrial Technology Center (滋賀県東北部工業技術センター)majorTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with the university and Fujix Co., Ltd. under the Go-Tech Program to establish practical-level thread-level supercritical fluid dyeing technology. The center contributed industrial technology expertise to the successful dyeing of ASICS athletic uniforms using supercritical CO2, combining university research with regional industrial technology capabilities.
• Fukui Prefecture (福井県)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFukui Prefecture co-organizes the FUNTEC Forum, Industry Study Fair, and other industry-academia events with the university. The prefecture supports the Fukumira project and the 'Guru Guru Fukui' circular fashion initiative as part of regional industry revitalization efforts. Prefecture officials participate in executive committees and events as co-organizers and supporters.
• Fukui City / Fukui Prefecture Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Fukui Economic Club (福井商工会議所 / 福井経済同友会)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFukui Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Fukui Economic Club co-organize the annual FUNTEC Forum with the university. The Economic Club also serves as a physical location for submitting cooperative association membership applications alongside the university's administrative office. Both organizations facilitate connections between the university and regional businesses.
• Katsuyama City (勝山市)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the university to host the first Fiber Industry Lecture Series (繊維最新情報), with University Fiber & Materials Research Center Director Professor Tanigami Shuichi delivering a keynote on 'Opening Up the Future of the Fukui Textile Industry.' Katsuyama is home to multiple fiber companies producing world-renowned brand fabrics. The city is a participating organization in the Fukumira project.
• Ark Edge Space Inc. (株式会社アークエッジ・スペース)majorTechnology or IntegrationCollaborated with university researcher Aoyagi Ken-ei (青柳賢英, Specially Appointed Associate Professor) on development of the multi-mission micro-satellite 'OPTIMAL-1.' The satellite system design is conducted jointly with the University of Tokyo, with components manufactured by Fukui prefecture companies (Sairei, Sabae Seiki, Harue Electronics) and assembled at the university's Open R&D Facility.
• Solid Lab Co., Ltd. (株式会社ソリッドラボ)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerA university alumni-founded company focused on marine plastic waste upcycling and circular economy activities. CEO Kuroda Yuki participates as a member of the 'Guru Guru Fukui' executive committee and serves as a guest speaker in graduate-level entrepreneurship courses (産業創成工学PBL), sharing insights on identifying latent consumer needs and building circular economy businesses.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Worn Again Technologies: UK-based chemical recycler of polyester and cotton textiles, addressing the same end-of-life textile problem that motivates the Fukumira circular-textile mission but via polymer recycling rather than supercritical decolorization.

Direct peers

• NTX: Waterless dyeing technology company using supercritical fluid chemistry for textile coloration and finishing, competing for the same ESG-driven apparel customers Fukui is targeting.
• TODAI IPC (University of Tokyo TLO): University of Tokyo's technology licensing organization providing IP management, licensing, and venture incubation — functionally equivalent to Fukui's IP and tech transfer division within a larger national university ecosystem.
• DyeCoo Textile Systems: Dutch commercial company commercializing supercritical CO2 textile dyeing equipment, the closest direct technology competitor to the Fukui supercritical dyeing platform, serving global apparel brands.
• CASTI (Center for Advanced Science and Technology Incubation, UTokyo): University of Tokyo's industry-academia collaboration and incubation arm, the closest functional peer in Japan for operating shared research equipment, IP licensing, joint research, and venture support within a national university.
• Kyoto University Office of Society-Academia Collaboration: Kyoto University's industry-academia-government liaison headquarters, operating the same functional model (joint research, commissioned research, equipment sharing, IP/venture support) as the Fukui Headquarters for Innovative Society-Academia Cooperation.

Broad incumbents

• imat-uve GmbH: European textile research and testing institute offering shared equipment services, material testing, and R&D consulting — comparable to Fukui's Technical Innovation Co-Creation Center and shared analytical instrument platform.
• Sateri: Major global producer of sustainable cellulose fibers serving apparel brands with environmental mandates, comparable as an industrial incumbent whose customers Fukui's supercritical dyeing technology seeks to supply.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fukui University Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration