Launching a project to develop bio‑recycling technologies for waste plastics

Mito, Ibaraki — September 4, 2025 — Quantum Flowers & Foods Inc. (QFF; Headquarters: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture; CEO: Norio Kikuchi) today announced that it has launched a project, in collaboration with Associate Professor Daisuke Sugimori of Fukushima University, to enhance plastic‑degrading bacteria using its non‑GMO Neutron‑Speedy Breeding® technology.

 

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Background and Objective

The global problem of plastic waste has become acute, placing significant burdens on the environment and ecosystems. Approximately 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, and a portion of this, due to improper disposal or management deficiencies, flows from land to oceans. This results in marine pollution, microplastic proliferation, and associated societal issues.

Associate Professor Sugimori and his team at Fukushima University have been investigating the degradation mechanisms of hard-to-decompose plastics such as nitrile rubber (NBR), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). They have also been developing bio‑upcycling technologies to convert degradation products into high–value substances. Their work includes exploration of degradable bacterial strains, identification of enzyme genes, and evaluation of decomposition products for use as biodegradable plastic precursors. Some promising results have already been achieved.

However, to reach practical application, improvements are still needed in degradation speed and overall efficiency. To address this, QFF will apply neutron irradiation using its Neutron‑Speedy Breeding® platform to plastic‑degrading bacterial strains held by Sugimori’s laboratory. The goal is to introduce diverse and beneficial mutations—while retaining viability—to enhance bacterial growth, strengthen enzyme function, and thereby improve the performance of degradation strains.

 

Future Outlook

Through this project, QFF and Fukushima University aim to contribute to solving the plastic waste issue and to advancing a circular society. Going forward, they plan to develop bacteria jointly, and to promote broad partnerships with corporations and research institutions interested in microbial improvement in environmental and materials science domains.

 

Statement from QFF CEO & CTO, Norio Kikuchi

“We are very pleased to collaborate with Fukushima University and apply our Neutron‑Speedy Breeding® technology toward environmental challenges. Bio‑upcycling of waste plastics is a global endeavor, and we will devote our full efforts to ensuring that the findings of this research translate into industrial applications.”

 

Company Profile

Quantum Flowers & Foods Inc.

Location:  2‑101 Le Rêve Mikawa, 2563‑77 Mikawacho, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
CEO:  Norio Kikuchi
Business:  Provision of Neutron‑Speedy Breeding® services; research & development in quantum biotechnology
Established:  July 2018
Website:  https://qff.jp/

 

Inquiries

Quantum Flowers & Foods Inc. — Business Solutions Department
Contact:  Shunsuke Naito
E-mail:  info@qff.jp
Tel:  03‑6661‑1611

 

Unofficial English translation of a Japanese press release published on PR TIMES. For official terms, please refer to the original Japanese text.