190828 Tokyo Food Lab Eng
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NEWS RELEASE August 28, 2019 For Immediate Release Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd. PLANTX Corp. Chaos Co., Ltd. Meeting the challenge of building new towns and communities which will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Announcing the Opening of TOKYO FOOD LAB Fusing the science and technology of “Food Tech” with the “Creativity” of chefs and other professionals, the new center will pursue field demonstration/social implementation of solutions for various food-related social issues. Tokyo Tatemono Co., Ltd. (“Tokyo Tatemono”; headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Officer: Hitoshi Nomura) in collaboration with PLANTX Corp. (“PLANTX”; head office: Kashiwa-shi, Chiba; CEO: Kosuke Yamada), a startup garnering attention both inside and outside of Japan for its world-class plant factory solutions, and Chaos Co., Ltd. (“Chaos”; Tokyo office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO Mitsuru Sawada), a company using a unique approach to providing services ranging from support for chefs to the production of restaurants in the domain of food culture business, have opened TOKYO FOOD LAB, a new type of venue in Kyobashi, Tokyo, for the field demonstration and social implementation of solutions to respond food-related social challenges. 1. Project Background & Objectives Today the world is facing a variety of food-related social challenges ranging from the growing food crisis driven by the rising global population and climate change to water shortages as well as food safety issues such as microplastic pollution of the oceans. In response, the world is increasingly undertaking the field demonstration and social implementation of science and technology solutions such food tech innovations including plant factories, meat substitutes/cultured meat, and insect-based foods. Also on the creative side, chefs, food professionals and other experts are not only creating “delicious” cuisine, but also tackling the solution of social issues; however, there are still not many examples of the unified advance of such activities. By offering a unique fusion of new food production methods realized by science and technology and the creativity of new ways to prepare and enjoy food developed by chefs and other professionals active in Japan and abroad, this project will update members of this initiative on the world food scene, improve their knowledge and skills, and drive positive change in the direction of global food culture and practices. TOKYO FOOD LAB aims to shape solutions for social challenges shared by the world, to build cities that contribute to the achievement of the international targets adopted at the United Nations Summit and referred to as SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), and to establish an ecosystem for innovation. 2. “TOKYO FOOD LAB” Profile TOKYO FOOD LAB facility will consist of “PLANTORY tokyo” on 1F, a combination of a plant factory boasting productivity levels ranking among the highest in the world and a research laboratory under the management of PLANTX, and “U” on 2F, an innovative community hub for sharing and experiencing food-related knowledge under the management of Chaos. (Please refer below for more information about the facility.) Website: http://www.tokyofoodlab.jp/ TOKYO FOOD LAB facade 3. Plant factory on the global cutting edge “PLANTORY tokyo” On August 1, 2019, PLANTX opened a state-of-the-art plant factory & R&D facility called PLANTORY tokyo in TOKYO FOOD LAB. This new facility features a level of productivity which is over 5 times conventional global standards, placing among the top-ranked in the world. According to the FAO, when the global population is expected to exceed 9 billion in 2050, it is forecasted that the world will face huge food shortages which will necessitate raising food productivity to 1.7 times the current level. Using their originally developed AI and a closed cultivation system, PLANTX has succeeded in uniformly controlling and managing light, air, moisture and other factors to create an optimum environment for cultivation, and has achieved extremely high productivity. Their system not only boosts productivity, but also is already tackling the control of other parameters such as flavor and nutritional value. It is hoped that this new world-leading plant factory will contribute to solving humanity’s future food and nutritional challenges. Interior of the culture PLANTORY tokyo culture machine Parameter control monitor ■ PLANTX Technology – The Only of Its Kind in the World Unlike conventional plant factories that enable the control of state variables such as temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration, the PLANTX system also manages growth rate variables such as the rates of photosynthesis, photon absorption, CO2 absorption rate, and water absorption. Deployment of this pioneering plant factory equipped with the SAIBAIX plant growth management cloud system resulted in twice the harvest volume compared with a conventional system. In addition, the successful development of the “Culture Machine” hardware has realized the world’s first closed-type plant factory capable of individually managing and controlling over 20 parameters related to light, air and nutrient solution. Together SAIBAIX and the Culture Machine comprise the PLANTX Platform – a solution that can produce 5 times the harvest volume level of a conventional plant factory (5 times the productivity by area*). *Based on PLANTX company research. Research into the future management and control of flavor and component ingredients of the plant is advancing. By controlling the component recipe, it will become possible to cultivate produce that meets specific needs such as “vitamin-rich lettuce” ■ Company Profile Company Name: PLANTX Corp. CEO: Kosuke Yamada Business: Specialty services for plant factory facilities; comprehensive cultivation environment control system (SAIBAIX); consulting services for improvement/upgrading existing plant factory facilities; support for new plant factory installation/setup Date of establishment: 2014 Head office: KOIL 6F 178-4 Wakashiba, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba-ken 277-8520 Japan Website: http://www.plantx.co.jp/ ■ Origin of the“PLANTORY tokyo” Name The word “factory” originates from the Latin word “facere” which means “made” combined with the suffix “-ory” which means “place” .By naming this facility “PLANTORY”, this signifies “a place for plants” 4. an innovative food culture community center “U” On September 3, Chaos will open “U” – an innovative food culture community center – in the TOKYO FOOD LAB building. The Yaesu-Nihonbashi-Kyobashi area has long been a central hub of transportation in Japan. Located next to Tokyo Station, this area developed as a central business district and became home to the head and branch offices of major corporations. While respecting the history and traditions of this quarter of Tokyo, businesspersons, residents and all who visit the area also cherish the emergence of a new community. Incubating new businesses, attracting people to visit and engage in the community, and enriching the lives of residents, they are creating a place that nourishes the birth and growth of new value as a town. “U” will be a place where people related to food culture in the area and a broad diversity of visitors to the town will connect, share knowledge with the aim of solving global social issues, and engage in experiential activities View of “U” interior “U” kitchen ■ Company Profile Company Name: CHAOS Co., Ltd. CEO: Mitsuru Sawada Business: Commercial facility development, city building and town brand formation, retail store/business development, area revitalization business, community design, living environment/residential development Date of establishment: 1992 Head office: 2-1-21 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi 541-0041 Japan Tokyo office: 7-5-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061 Japan Website: http://www.chaos-chaos.com/ Past Projects/Achievements: Production and other services of Chaos have contributed the successful launch and development of several major properties and businesses including: Shin-Marunouchi Building (Marunouchi, Tokyo), Tokyo Building Tokia (Marunouchi, Tokyo), Yodoyabashi odona (Yodoyabashi, Osaka), Grand Front Osaka Shops & Restaurants (Umeda, Osaka), KITTE (Marunouchi, Tokyo), Palace Building (Marunouchi, Tokyo), Nihon Seimei Marunouchi Garden Tower (Tokyo, Marunouchi), Tokyu Plaza Ginza (Ginza, Tokyo), Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu Phase 3 Expansion (Kisarazu, Chiba), World’s first Airport Winery, Challenge Kitchen [Lumière, Michelin Guide: 1 Star], Quintessence [Michelin Guide: 3 Stars], INUA [Arrival of the Year in the World Restaurant Awards], HEINZ BECK [Michelin Guide: 1 star] ■ Origin of the Company Name The word “CHAOS” not only means disorder and confusion, but also expresses the state of the universe before the creation of the cosmos. Just as the chaotic interaction of diverse elements created the heaven and earth - value that had never existed before, this company chose CHAOS as its name to express its aim to be such an innovative creative force. ■ Future Steps ①OPEN INNOVATION KITCHEN Chef Workshops will be held with the aim of aiding cooking professionals hone their skills and promoting open innovation. In the workshops, chefs will present their culinary skills to their colleagues, and share knowledge and techniques. ②PROFESSIONAL ARCHIVE An archive of movies created by chefs for chefs will be established. Chefs will record their cooking techniques and recipes in videos which can be viewed by other members. ③HEALTHY AREA PROMOTION Seminars for food service establishments