National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Awards Challenge 2026: "Lifeness Award" Ceremony and Kickoff Event Held

At the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference 2026, organized and operated by Ribanes Co., Ltd., the following initiative was introduced as a way to effectively foster new collaborations: “Knowledge Manufacturing Award Challenge(hereinafter referred to as the “Grand Prize Challenge”). In this initiative, Ribance solicited ideas for collaboration.

Following discussions held on the day of the conference, which yielded several collaboration proposals, the “Lifeness Award” was presented to MyPox Inc., fabula Inc., and QRONOS (currently in the startup preparation phase) based on the content of those proposals. A kickoff meeting was held to serve as the award ceremony.

The theme of this award is “Pioneering New Possibilities in Building Materials by Achieving ‘100% Food Waste Tiles Resistant to Mold Growth’ Through Precision Polishing.” Using tiles developed by fabula—made from 100% organically derived food waste—we are tackling the development of eco-friendly building materials that suppress mold adhesion and growth by minimizing surface irregularities to the utmost extent through precision polishing using MyPox. Furthermore, as we move forward with development, we plan to explore the applicability of QRONOS’s edible coating technology. By controlling surface properties, we will pioneer new possibilities for building materials in a circular economy through sustainable material design that does not rely on mold inhibitors.

Following the announcement of the award, fabula provided MyPox with tiles made entirely from food waste, and we are currently observing changes in their surface properties resulting from precision polishing. This effort may not only contribute to the award-winning theme of mold prevention but also lead to improved water resistance—one of the challenges associated with tiles made entirely from food waste.

Takashi Arahata of MyPox, who participated in the National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference, stated, “At the conference, through discussions with exhibiting companies, I was able to learn about needs that differ from those of our typical customers, as well as the potential applications of precision polishing. Furthermore, being selected for this year’s National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Grand Prize Challenge seems to have set us on a path to take a new step forward,” he said.

Going forward, we plan to proceed with studies on the measurement criteria and evaluation methods for tiles made entirely from ground food waste.

The National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference serves as a forum for combining the diverse knowledge held by startups, mid-sized companies, and small and medium-sized enterprises to generate concrete steps toward solving unresolved challenges. We will continue to engage in discussions to ensure that the collaboration launched this time leads to products and services that contribute to resolving these unresolved challenges.

＜会社概要＞
MyPox, Inc.
Business Activities: Manufacture and sale of polishing films and polishing-related products; development and sale of polishing equipment; consulting services for polishing systems; and provision of environmentally friendly and energy-saving equipment and systems, as well as related consulting services.
URL:https://www.mipox.co.jp/

fabula, Inc.
Business Activities: Planning, manufacturing, sales, and research and development of new materials derived from waste
URL:https://fabulajp.com/

Inquiries Regarding This Matter
Lifeness Co., Ltd. Contact: Uchida
TEL: 03-5227-4198
E-mail：[email protected]