-- When benchmarked against comparable global chemical organizations, The KAITEKI Institute truly emerges as a leader in environmental sustainability

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, March 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recognizes The KAITEKI Institute, Inc. with the 2013 Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Award for Visionary Innovation for its leadership and efforts to establish a more sustainable society. Acknowledging the need for a balanced environment for future generations, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) founded The KAITEKI Institute to study some of the most serious issues facing mankind today, in areas such as energy, environment, and health. KAITEKI, which MCHC advocates as a value that all companies in the 21^st century should strive to realize, is an overarching concept that encompasses sustainability, health, and comfort, not just for individuals but for society and the earth as a whole.

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The research activities of The KAITEKI Institute are guided by the keywords Sol (sun), Aqua (water), and Vita (life), which represent the areas of energy & resources, water & food, and health & society. The institute makes the most of its unique research and development capabilities to accumulate, analyze, and disseminate research findings for actionable use. Frost & Sullivan firmly believes that these findings will change human lives for the better and redefine future business processes to ensure sustainability.

"The KAITEKI Institute advocates the concept of a 'sustainable carbon society,' against the more common 'low carbon society,' by identifying new technologies that focus not just on the reduction of CO₂, but its efficient utilization," said Richard Sear, Frost & Sullivan Global Vice President of Visionary Innovation. "As a chemical company, MCHC aims to make useful products out of carbon resources, which will contribute to the balancing of CO₂ levels in the environment."

One of the themes that The KAITEKI Institute is currently studying is ways to reduce environmental hazards and simultaneously create new energy resources. A specific example is its exploration of systems to synthesize chemicals from CO₂ and hydrogen, in which the hydrogen is obtained by a catalytic process of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of solar light. This system would enable reduction of excess CO₂ released into the environment from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Another research project involves the production of chemical intermediates from CO₂, water, and sunlight with the help of cyanobacteria, an engineered photosynthetic bacteria. Frost & Sullivan expects this bold initiative to leave an everlasting impact on society through efficient utilization of solar energy and reduction of greenhouse gases.

"Employing novel ways to produce and convert solar energy and CO₂ into chemicals holds immense value to the industry and the global population at large," noted Sear. "The organization has partnered with a range of globally acclaimed academic institutions, laboratories, and private research institutes to pursue its research-based goals."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to companies that demonstrate outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as competitive strategy, leadership, technology, and product development. The Visionary Innovation Awards underscore superior planning and execution of business processes, including strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, distribution strategies, research and development, product launches, and customer service.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About The KAITEKI Institute, Inc.

The KAITEKI Institute, Inc. was founded by Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) in 2009 as a global research institute focused on meeting 21st century challenges in energy, the environment, and healthcare.

The Institute engages in the highest quality of scientific and engineering research by partnering with a global network of researchers, academic institutions, national laboratories, and private entities. The institute also conducts research to identify and articulate future societal trends, needs, and challenges, which will be used to set subsequent research targets.

The KAITEKI Institute proposes solutions based on promising research results as new technology platforms within the research arms or businesses of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group.

The Institute will help make society healthier, more comfortable, and more affluent by supporting long-term R&D and business strategy for the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group, while taking advantage of a global scientific and information network.

The KAITEKI Institute, Inc.
Palace Building
1-1, Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8251, Japan
TEL: +81-(0)3-6748-7170
FAX: +81-(0)3-3286-1260

For more information, visit http://www.kaiteki-institute.com/

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan