High-performance functional biochar & precision microbiome technology for regenerative agriculture
Our solution utilizes a microorganism-immobilized biochar, Soratan, developed as a soil microbiome technology spin-off from Nagoya University, Japan. The technology employs a microbial consortia featuring over 1,000 species, including ammonifying and nitrifying microbes. The biochar matrix acts as a protective medium that enhances microbial establishment and persistence both within the biochar and in the surrounding soil. This stabilization is achieved through a proprietary treatment. Our biologically engineered biochar improves the degradation of organic compounds by optimizing the nitrogen cycle, resulting in the fast availability of nitrogen compounds (e.g., nitrate nitrogen) for plants in the field.
Our technology is currently being tested in Japan and several countries worldwide, including the USA. Adopted by 600+ farmers in Japan, our field trials confirm the efficient conversion of organic nitrogen, showing high nitrate (NO3-) availability after only 27 days. This efficiency accelerates soil regeneration from several years to approximately one month, providing measurable results such as an average yield increase of over 20% in commercial fields compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. Compared to standard biochar, Soratan demonstrates markedly higher potential for nitrogen cycling. It utilizes locally available, organic-certified ingredients, meeting all environmental safety requirements.
About TOWING Co., Ltd.
TOWING Co., Ltd. is a startup originating from Nagoya University that develops next-generation crop cultivation systems and sustainable agricultural technologies. The company specializes in high-function soil technology, which utilizes biochar—often produced from repurposed organic waste—enriched with microorganisms to create highly efficient artificial soil. By promoting "carbon farming," their systems enable the sequestration of carbon dioxide directly into farmland, offering a dual benefit of improved crop yields and atmospheric carbon reduction. Their core product offerings include the high-function biochar "Soratan" and sustainable produce branded as "Susvege," both of which contribute to circular agricultural practices.
These innovations are designed not only to transform Earth-based agriculture by reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and facilitating carbon credits but also to support potential future space agriculture. By optimizing soil production through local material utilization and microbial management, the company aims to enable sustainable food production in space environments where resource transport is costly. TOWING has received multiple recognitions for its research and development, including support from the SBIR program and NEDO, and has successfully implemented its technology in commercial agricultural applications, contributing to the broader goal of a sustainable, circular food system.
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