Announcements
EF Polymer has been selected as a company in the PCA Phase under the Deep Tech Startup Support Fund / Deep Tech Startup Support Program (DTSU), organized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan’s national research and development agency.
Through this program, EF Polymer will focus on expanding multi location production, establishing a circular resource model, improving its existing polymer technologies, and developing new polymer applications beyond agriculture through fiscal year 2028.
Under this initiative, EF Polymer will receive up to JPY 800 million in grant funding from NEDO to accelerate its business development and technological advancement.
NEDO implements this grant program to support deep tech startups engaged in innovative technologies that require long-term research and development and significant capital investment before commercialization and social implementation.
Although such technologies involve high risks, they are considered critical for addressing major economic and societal challenges both in Japan and globally.
The program operates with approximately four public calls per year. It incorporates collaboration with venture capital firms and stage-gate evaluations, providing long-term support for practical R&D, mass production demonstrations, and overseas technology validation.
The program consists of three phases with different subsidy rates and funding amounts. EF Polymer has been selected for the PCA Phase (late-stage practical R&D).
Through this support program, EF Polymer will focus on the following strategic initiatives from FY2025 to FY2028:
Diversification of Raw Materials
Development of polymers derived from raw materials beyond orange and banana peels.
Establishment of a Circular Resource Model
Building sustainable and scalable manufacturing processes.
New Product Development in Agriculture
Development of combined solutions integrating EF Polymer with other agricultural products.
Strengthening Production Systems
Demonstration and establishment of a global multi-location production framework.
Expansion into New Applications
Development of polymer applications beyond the agricultural sector.
Announcement regarding the 6th public call for the Deep Tech Startup Support Fund (DTSU) and the 3rd public call for the GX Deep Tech Practical R&D and Mass Production Demonstration Support Program:
https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/CA3_100470.html
