Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Onna Village, Okinawa; President and CEO: Karin Markides; hereafter OIST) and Nikko Company (Hakusan City, Ishikawa; President and CEO: Akiko Mitani; hereafter Nikko) signed a licensing agreement on March 21, 2025, to commercialize an innovative wastewater treatment technology. Through this agreement, OIST and Nikko aim to bring years of fundamental research into practical use, contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of the livestock industry and promoting a sustainable society both domestically and internationally.
In conjunction with the signing, a formal ceremony was held on April 4, 2025, attended by OIST President and CEO Karin Markides, Nikko President and CEO Akiko Mitani, and other representatives.
Background and overview of the collaboration
Since 2017, OIST's Biological Systems Unit (Professor Igor Goryanin) has been working with the Okinawa Prefecture Environment Science Center and the Okinawa Prefectural Livestock and Grassland Research Center to develop a wastewater treatment technology capable of simultaneously processing raw wastewater and removing excess nitrate from already-aerated wastewater, which is expected to face stricter regulations in the future.
This technology utilizes microorganisms for low-maintenance, low-cost wastewater treatment, which significantly reduces the environmental burden associated with conventional treatment methods. The technology is currently patent-pending, and demonstration trials have been underway at a pig farm in the Okinawa Prefectural Livestock and Grassland Research Center since 2019.
Since 2021, Nikko Co., Ltd., a developer of wastewater treatment solutions, has collaborated with OIST to scale up the purification system and conduct further trials. With licensing agreement, Nikko will accelerate the development and commercialization of this technology.
The development of this technology has been supported by OIST's Proof of Concept (POC) Program and funding from the Okinawa Prefectural Government. Looking ahead, the technology is expected to be implemented not only in Okinawa, but also in other regions of Japan as well as internationally, contributing to sustainable development of agriculture worldwide.
OIST President and CEO Karin Markides expressed her expectations, stating, "We are delighted that OIST's research outcomes are connecting with industry to help solve societal challenges. This technology is a significant step toward sustainable growth, not only for Okinawa's livestock industry but also for regional economies at large. We look forward to delivering this technology to even more regions through our collaboration with Nikko."
Nikko President and CEO Akiko Mitani commented, "We are honored to collaborate with OIST to advance the practical application of a new wastewater treatment technology that reduces environmental impact. Through products incorporating this technology, we will support environmental initiatives in the livestock industry and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society."
About Nikko
Founded in 1908 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, as a Western tableware manufacturer, Nikko Co., Ltd. now operates multiple business divisions. These include the Ceramics Division, which enriches dining culture; the Bancture Division, which provides ideal bathrooms for relaxation and health; the Functional Ceramics Division, which enhances comfort and energy efficiency; and the Water Creation and Environmental Plant Divisions, which support water sustainability. Through these businesses, Nikko continues to manufacture and provide products that enrich and improve daily life.
About OIST
Established in 2011 under the leadership of the Japanese government, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is committed to fostering a world-class research environment by attracting top talent from around the world. As a pioneering graduate university, OIST aims to contribute to global science and technology while serving as a hub for innovation in Okinawa.
