Microalgae Cultivation, Aquaculture Wastewater Treatment,
and Effective CO₂ Utilization in One Solution

HighChem Company Limited (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Ushio Taka), a global chemical trading and manufacturing company, will make its first appearance at Land-Based Aquaculture Equipment Exhibition 2025, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 15 (Wed.) to October 17 (Fri.), 2025. At the exhibition, HighChem will showcase an actual unit of its Photobioreactor, a microalgae cultivation system that the company has been actively promoting.​

The environment surrounding Japan’s fisheries industry is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising sea temperatures caused by global warming, poor catches resulting from climate change, and declining fish landings associated with overfishing. Against this backdrop, land-based aquaculture has attracted considerable attention as a new form of fisheries and is expanding rapidly. Land-based aquaculture reduces environmental impact, is less affected by weather conditions, enables lower parasite risks, and allows nutritional content to be controlled, making it an attractive method for producing high-value-added farmed seafood. According to estimates by a private research company, the market size is expected to triple by 2030 compared with its current level (*). On the other hand, land-based aquaculture faces challenges such as high initial investment costs for required facilities and high operating expenses, including electricity costs, and various technological innovations are being developed to address these issues.

HighChem is strengthening its efforts in the promotion of Photobioreactors and aims to propose them as a new solution to help overcome these challenges in land-based aquaculture.

*Source: Fuji Keizai estimates

A Photobioreactor is a system that utilizes light and CO₂ to efficiently cultivate microalgae through photosynthesis. Its closed structure, made of glass or specialized resin materials, prevents external contamination and maintains an optimal cultivation environment, enabling the efficient large-scale production of microalgae.

Microalgae that can be mass-cultivated using a Photobioreactor are attracting attention as aquaculture feed due to their high nutritional value. In the case of salmon, one of the most popular species for land-based aquaculture, studies have shown that using microalgae as a substitute for fishmeal and fish oil (*) can contribute to growth, quality maintenance, and improved nutritional value. Similar benefits, including enhanced coloration, antioxidant effects, and improved immunity, have also been confirmed in shrimp species such as Pacific white shrimp.

*Sprague, M., Betancor, M. B., Tocher, D. R. (2017). Microbial and algal oils as replacement for fish oil in aquaculture feeds. Biotechnology Advances, 35(5), 551–567. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.05.003

In aquaculture ponds, wastewater containing nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia, and other substances is generated through respiration, excretion, and leftover feed. In conventional land-based aquaculture systems, this wastewater must be treated through filtration and sterilization processes, often at considerable cost. By integrating a Photobioreactor into the overall system, however, these waste materials can be utilized as nutrients for microalgae cultivation, enabling a more closed-loop circulation system.

Photobioreactors utilize CO₂ as an essential nutrient source for microalgae cultivation. By connecting the system to exhaust gas treatment facilities from factories or boilers, CO₂ can be captured, converted into a resource, and effectively utilized. In other words, incorporating a Photobioreactor into a land-based aquaculture system enables its use as part of ESG initiatives, including the generation of carbon credits, while also contributing to the creation of added value in land-based aquaculture operations.

HighChem, as both a chemical trading company and manufacturer, handles a wide range of products and technologies, from life science sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, and pesticides to cutting-edge electronic components. In addition, the company’s manufacturing-focused Sustainability Division operates four research institutes and a catalyst mass-production plant in Japan and China. HighChem has commenced the development and commercialization of decarbonization technologies based on its C1-based SEG® technology, which has a licensing track record of 10 million tons per year, and utilizes CO2 for chemical production. The company is also focusing on the development of bio-chemical technologies and energy storage systems. Moving forward, HighChem will continue expanding its global business with a focus on more innovative products, technologies, and services.

• Company Name: HighChem Company Limited
• Head Office: 11F Tokyo Toranomon Global Square, 1-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• President: Ushio Taka
• Business Overview: Import/export and sales of chemical products, contract manufacturing, technology licensing, catalyst production and sales, biodegradable materials sales, etc.

For more information, please contact:
＜HighChem Company Limited Public Relations office＞
Ms. Kuroiwa (+81-90-6539-4213) TEL: +81-3-5251-8580 E-mail: koho@highchem.co.jp