Kao Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a publicly traded company founded in 1887. It manufactures and sells consumer products alongside chemical products for industrial use. The Chemical Business includes bio-operations launched in 2023, leveraging over 30 years of enzyme expertise in detergents to develop saccharification enzymes for converting biomass such as waste paper and food waste into sugars for bioproducts including bioethanol and sustainable aviation fuel. Kao also produces bio-gallic acid via microbial fermentation from glucose, achieving higher yields than conventional methods, with applications in corrosion inhibitors, semiconductor materials, and its own products. The company supplies these enzymes and compounds to partners in Japan and internationally, supporting efforts to reduce CO2 emissions through biomanufacturing. It has received recognition including the Incentive Award in the 24th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Awards for its gallic acid technology.
Also known as Kaō Kabushiki-gaisha, Kao Corp, and Kao Kabushiki Kaisha.
chemXplore tracks 1 project involving Kao.
Kao's role on them: Investor / Financier.
Selected by NEDO to build a saccharification enzyme supply platform to convert unused biomass into sugars for bioproducts including bioethanol and SAF.
Fermentative gallic acid from glucose gives doubled yield and higher purity; already used in its products and by domestic makers for boiler corrosion inhibitors; expansion to Asia and Europe planned.
Supplying saccharification enzymes to a Fukushima bioethanol facility to support research converting non-edible plant biomass into automotive bioethanol.
€30 million, two-phase expansion at Emmerich (2020–2022) to add production for cosmetic and cleaning-product precursors, create 10 jobs and increase trainee intake.
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