Kanematsu Corporation (“Kanematsu”) has enabled the insetting supply*1 of domestically produced rice cultivated by Akita no Komachi Farm ("the Producer"), together with the environmental value created through its production process, to Chikaranomoto Co., Ltd. ("Chikaranomoto"). The domestically produced rice supplied through this initiative is currently being served at selected domestic Ippudo locations, the ramen restaurant chain operated by Chikaranomoto.

This initiative was made possible through collaboration with Chikaranomoto, which seeks to establish a sustainable procurement and supply system for domestically produced rice; the Producer, a pioneer in carbon sequestration and the reduction of chemical fertilizer use through the application of biochar to farmland; and TOWING Co., Ltd. ("TOWING"), responsible for supplying biochar and creating environmental value.

Taking this opportunity, the four companies will not only begin building a face-to-face and trusted business relationship, but will also work together to address climate change and promote regenerative agriculture by implementing and supporting initiatives aligned with the MIDORI Strategy for Sustainable Food Systems promoted by Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). Through these efforts, the four companies aim to build a sustainable, safe, and secure production and supply system for domestically produced rice.

水を張る前の農地にバイオ炭を散布する様子 力の源が運営する「一風堂」の店舗外観
Applying biochar to farmland before flooding
Exterior view of an Ippudo restaurant operated by Chikaranomoto

Under its Medium-Term Management Plan “integration 1.1,” Kanematsu aims to become a solutions provider that leads the transformation of efficient and sustainable supply chains. As one of its key measures, Kanematsu is promoting GX. In the priority field of “Agriculture and Food GX,” the Company is leveraging its strengths in food supply chains and working with farmers, fertilizer manufacturers, feed manufacturers, meat packers, food manufacturers, retailers, and restaurant companies to promote a wide range of GX projects.

*1: Insetting Supply of Domestically Produced Rice with Environmental Valu
Biochar was applied to the Producer's rice paddies prior to flooding in accordance with J-Credit Methodology AG-004, "Application of Biochar to Farmland." TOWING created J-Credits based on the amount of carbon sequestered in the soil and retired for a fee on behalf of Chikaranomoto. Through this mechanism, Chikaranomoto partially covered the Producer's costs associated with introducing biochar and supported efforts to reduce environmental impact. Kanematsu supplies the domestically produced rice to Chikaranomoto while ensuring its traceability. This initiative is based on the concept of carbon insetting, whereby the benefits of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and removal efforts carried out within a domestically produced rice supply chain are leveraged within the same supply chain.

How Carbon Insetting Works related CHIKAEAnoMOTO

◆ List of Kanematsu’s GX initiatives (press releases)

  1. Kanematsu enters into a partnership agreement with Denmark’s Danish Crown to spread sustainable pork products in Japan
  2. Kanematsu enters into a partnership agreement with Green Carbon, Inc. aiming to reduce “rice paddy methane” emissions and spread environmentally friendly rice to address global warming
  3. Kanematsu and green and agritech venture TOWING partner to expand adoption of the high-performance biochar “Soratan” in Japan and the U.S.
  4. Kanematsu partners with Morinaga Milk Industry and TOWING to build a sustainable supply chain for Brazilian coffee beans
  5. Kanematsu invests in Nagoya University based green and agri-tech venture TOWING: Driving the development of sustainable food supply chains globally
  6. Kanematsu and dsm-firmenich start promoting joint initiatives for reducing the environmental impact of livestock products by utilizing a feed additive that reduces cattle methane emissions
  7. Kanematsu participates in the Insetting Consortium toward strengthening “GX for agriculture and food”
  8. Kanematsu begins supplying domestically produced rice combined with added environmental value to Skylark – Project reduce supply chain emissions from raw ingredient production and procurement–
  9. Kanematsu joins with Shikishima Farm and dsm-firmenich for the world’s first commercial farm implementation of methane-reducing feed additive Bovear® on Japanese Black cattle

【Corporate Profile】

Name

 Chikaranomoto Co., Ltd.
Establishment October, 1986
Representative Tomoyuki Yamane, Representative Director and CEO
Address

1-13-14 Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Business

Operation of directly managed restaurants in Japan, etc.
Website https://www.chikaranomoto.com/eng　

Name

 TOWING Co., Ltd.
Establishment February, 2020
Representative Kohei Nishida, Representative Director and CEO
Address

Nagoya University Incubation Facility, 1 Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya
Business

1. Manufacturing, sales, and implementation support for Soratan, a high- performance biochar, for application to farmland and use in seedling culture soil

2. Acquisition and sale of carbon credits on behalf of customers according to the amount of Soratan used

3. Sale of crops produced using Soratan
Website https://towing.co.jp/pages/en　

Name

 Akita no Komachi Farm
Representative Takashi Tamura, Representative Director
Address

8 Minami 1-chome, Ogata-mura, Minamiakita-gun, Akita Prefecture
Business

Production and sale of agricultural products, etc.

【Contact】

For inquiries regarding this press release: +81-3-6747-5000 https://www.kanematsu.co.jp/en/inquiry/