SAKAI RINA

She worked for Fuji Bank (now Mizuho Bank) and Deutsche Securities, where she was in charge of project finance, M&A, etc. Interested in fermentation technology, she entered the Department of Brewing Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and graduated in March 2009. In the same year, she established Fermenstation Co. Her research interests include locally produced bioethanol production for local consumption and development of technologies for effective utilization of unused resources. Fascinated by the fermentation technology of making fuel from food waste, she re-entered college at the age of 32 to study fermentation technology and developed a business producing and selling rice ethanol from rice. Her company uses ethanol which is produced by fermenting and distilling unused resources. The leftover fermented lees are used as raw materials for cosmetics and feed for chickens and cows, and the chicken manure and cow manure are used as fertilizer for fields and rice fields. increase. We incorporate the recycling of resources into all our processes, and through collaboration with our partners, we develop raw materials for cosmetics as well as products such as cosmetics, daily necessities, and sundries. In addition, it also working to reduce our waste output to zero. Please refer to what is written on the homepage."When something is fermented, fermented lees are always produced along with ethanol. We do not waste fermented lees and have been using them as raw materials for cosmetics and animal feed. Fermented lees made from organic brown rice contain the nutrients of rice bran and the fungi of koji and yeast and have nutritional value. It is also excellent as fodder. It has a good aroma and promotes appetite. It is also good for digestion, which improves the intestinal environment.
Fermenstation's business is all of these processes, from the use of unused resources to the recycling of waste-free products."
 The company origin is It would be interesting if we could make more use of the garbage that is overflowing in the world.”
moreover
“I want to create a business that is both business and social.”
It was born from two thoughts.
 There have been many encounters along the way.
The first thing that got me started was when I was seconded from the financial institution where I was working at the time, I met people from the NPOs and the civil sector in Japan and the US who were directly facing social issues. I met attractive people who are facing various social issues such as environment, welfare, education, poverty, etc., and I came to think that I want to live like this. At the same time, while working at a financial institution, I strongly felt the power and potential of business to move the world.
While experiencing both the non-profit sector and business, I came up with the desire to take on the challenge of a business that is both business and social.
Another reason was my interest in the environment.
While involved in overseas infrastructure projects from the standpoint of a financial institution, he became interested in environmentally friendly energy projects. I wondered if we could make more effective use of the resources in the world, and if we could lead an eco-friendlier life.
 It was at such a time that I encountered fermentation technology.
By utilizing fermentation technology, we believe that "wouldn't garbage become garbage?" I thought it would be possible to create a business that would be profitable." So, I retired from the financial institution where I was working at the time and entered the Tokyo University of Agriculture to learn fermentation technology.
When I was in university, I had an encounter with a rice farmer and a local government in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, and decided to work on the utilization of fallow fields and idle paddy fields in the form of a joint demonstration, which was the impetus for the establishment of Fermen Station.
 Through this lecture, I was able to learn in detail what a truly sustainable society is. Taking advantage of this performance, I decided to think deeply about what we can do with the garbage that is produced in our daily lives.