Knowledge Manufacturing Award

Achieving Sustainable Meat Production Through the Integration of Antimicrobial Technology and Data Infrastructure

Eco-Pork Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)
Hadras Holdings Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo)

<Reasons for the award
We commended the collaboration between Eco-Pork, which has a deep understanding of meat production on the ground, and Hadras Holdings, which possesses surface treatment and antimicrobial technologies, for generating new solutions to on-site challenges. Their approach—which goes beyond simply combining technologies to actively seeking to transform the industry and society itself through trial and error in real-world testing environments—is the very embodiment of the “knowledge-based manufacturing” model.

<Award Comment
This initiative was born out of a meeting at the Knowledge Manufacturing Conference one year ago. By combining Hadras Holdings’ technology with Eco-Pork’s on-site resources and opportunities for field testing, we were able to move forward with demonstration experiments aimed at solving challenges that had previously been difficult to address. Encouraged by this award, we will continue to drive the project forward with even greater vigor. (Mr. Tanaka, Eco-Pork)

Democratizing Space Through a Bio-Experiment Unit Created Using Casting, Machining, and Microscopy Technologies

IDDK Co., Ltd. (Koto Ward, Tokyo)
Yoshida Industries Co., Ltd. (Saku City, Nagano Prefecture)

<Reasons for the award
We highly commended the collaboration between IDDK, which possesses advanced process technologies for space experiments, and Yoshida Kogyo, which excels in precision manufacturing, for making significant progress in the assembly of experimental units required for the space environment. It is truly impressive that, building on the expertise cultivated in the automotive industry, they have produced results that bring them close to space validation in such a short period of time—even as they take on the space industry for the first time. Through cross-sector collaboration, they have pioneered new value and vividly demonstrated the potential for venturing into new industries.

<Award Comment
The two companies first met at the Knowledge Manufacturing Conference two years ago. Since then, their collaboration has progressed further, and the project has moved forward as Yoshida Industries stepped in to address the challenge of manufacturing containers necessary for operating IDDK’s space bio-experiment equipment in a vacuum environment. The device is currently in the testing phase in preparation for launch, and there are high expectations for its future development. (Mr. Yoshioka, IDDK)

Global Expansion of Technologies That Revolutionize Factory and Plant Operations

CAST Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture)
Kihata Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Taisho Ward, Osaka Prefecture)

<Reasons for the award
We commended CAST and Kobata Instrument Manufacturing for proposing a new data-driven approach to maintenance that addresses the significant labor requirements and risks associated with plant equipment maintenance and inspection. Their vision and execution stood out, as they went beyond mere equipment development to advance societal implementation with a view toward manufacturing, sales, and maintenance, and sought to expand this Japan-originated system globally.

<Award Comment
The two companies have deepened their collaboration while operating an IoT sensor business that collects specific data at the same plant. By combining multiple data sets, they are uncovering trends that would have been invisible with just one type of data, thereby creating new value. Another major achievement of this initiative is that it has paved the way for expansion beyond Japan to the global market. (Mr. Nakatsuma, CAST)

A future that brings together manufacturing technology and knowledge in Chatbot.

Sanko Giken Co.
Amplat Corporation (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)

<Reasons for the award
They met at the Knowledge Manufacturing Conference 2024 and hit it off. In just four months, they developed and released Chatbot, a tool for openly sharing the technology and knowledge of Sanko Giken, which specializes in precision punching. The company aims to further expand its target area and create a future where the technologies and knowledge of the manufacturing industry are gathered into a Chatbot to share knowledge.

<Award Comment
A manufacturer in Higashiosaka, Press Kogyo, is collaborating with Unplat—a startup specializing in bioinformatics—to create something new. I believe this is something that can only be achieved here. If things continue as they are, Japan’s manufacturing industry will decline. Everyone, let’s work together to launch this new venture. (Mr. Tanaka, Sanko Giken)

Reference｜Sanko Giken Co., Ltd. and Amplat Corporation Jointly Develop "Sanko-kun," a Chatbot for Precision Punching Processes

Adding Value to Medical Devices through Biomimetic Coatings

Tochigi Seiko Corporation (Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture)
Intelligent Surfaces Corporation (Kashiwa, Chiba)

<Reasons for the award
A case study on the collaboration discussions between Tochigi Seiko—a manufacturer of medical devices such as dental anesthesia needles—and Intelligent Surface, which possesses MPC polymer coating technology with excellent biocompatibility, was also shared during a session at the 2024 National Knowledge-Based Manufacturing Conference. This subsequently led to a capital alliance. As a role model for the knowledge-based manufacturing sector, there are high expectations for their future development.

<Award Comment
Through our monthly visits and discussions, we at our company and MPC Polymer have come to view Tochigi Seiko as being as essential to us as water is to fish. Through this collaboration between the “medical” (medical device companies) and “engineering” (manufacturing) sectors, we aim to create high-value-added medical devices—achievements that can only be realized through our joint efforts. (Mr. Kiridōchi, Intelligent Surface)

Tackling Vietnam's Water Environmental Challenges with Japanese Technology

Vantec Corporation (Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture)
Environmental Inland Water Resources Research Institute, Inc. (Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture)

<Reasons for the award
The discussion began because both companies had been working together on water environmental issues. In particular, Vantech—which has been addressing challenges related to aquaculture and water treatment in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region—proposed the hypothesis that the Institute of Inland Water Resources’ fine bubble technology could be applied to local issues that Vantech’s own technology alone could not resolve. Currently, three demonstration studies are underway in the region.

<Award Comment
I feel once again that these kinds of encounters are expanding the possibilities for our company. In this Mekong Delta project, we still need technology to solve various issues. We would very much appreciate your cooperation. (Mr. Inokuchi, Vantec)

Reference | Collaboration Case Study: Vantec Co., Ltd. × Environmental Inland Water Resources Research Institute Co., Ltd. Launch of a Demonstration Test Aimed at Solving Water Environment Issues in Vietnam