Top Page > Press Release 2024 > Launch of Joint study on the Production and Utilization of Biomethane from Animal Manure with Hamanaka Town and Corporate Partners

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.

Dairy farming in Hamanaka Town
The LNG-fueled ferry Sunflower Kamui, operated by MOL Sunflower

<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.