Development of new markets that contribute to resource recycling by licensing Triporous™, a new material made from rice husks

Starting period

2019

Description of technology and business model

Sony has independently developed Triporous, a plant-derived porous carbon material with excellent adsorption properties and has been offering it for licensing since 2019 after obtaining a wide range of patents from basic to applied. Rice husks, the raw material for Triporous, are excess biomass that is generated 2 million tons per year in Japan and more than 100 million tons per year worldwide. By manufacturing Triporous from rice husks, it is possible to reduce air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions compared to incineration. Also, due to its unique microstructure derived from rice husks, Triporous has unique adsorption properties different from those of conventional activated carbon. By utilizing the adsorption properties of Triporous, various applications can be expected, such as highly functional environmental purification filters and devices that remove pollutants from water and air. Triporous is currently used in the apparel field for deodorant fibers, in the healthcare field for cleaning agents, and as an adsorbent for other B2B applications. It has also been adopted as a lifestyle product idea for use on the International Space Station. Through the Triporous business, Sony will work with its partners to solve various social issues and contribute to the realization of an environmentally conscious, recycling-oriented society.

Targets and achievements

It has already been adopted and commercialized by many apparel manufacturers (ISSEY MIYAKE, ESTNATION, COMME CA MEN, Chut! INTIMATES, TABIO, NAIGAI, DESCENTE GOLF, MIZUNO, etc.), and has also been commercialized as a skin care product by ROHTO Pharmaceutical and MOON-X.

URL

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/filtering-material-triporous