Initiative to Develop Sports Structural Materials Using Robust Fibers Derived from Minomushi Bagworms Wins Japan Sports Agency (JSA) Commissioner Award at the 8th Japan Open[...]

Yonex Co., Ltd. (President: Alyssa Yoneyama) announced that the joint R&D initiative carried out with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) and Kowa Company, Ltd. has received the Japan Sports Agency (JSA) Commissioner Award at the 8th Japan Open Innovation Prize.

The initiative was highly evaluated for its end-to-end approach-from basic research through product development and market deployment-in the development of sports structural materials using robust fibers derived from minomushi bagworms, as well as for its collaborative efforts between industry and public-sector partners to advance sustainable materials development.

This initiative has been promoted with the aim of advancing manufacturing that utilizes domestically sourced, renewable raw materials that do not rely on fossil resources, contributing to the realization of a decarbonized, circular economy society through a unique approach. Under a clear division of roles-basic research by NARO; materials development and the establishment of manufacturing technology foundations by Kowa; and product design and market deployment by Yonex-the three partners leveraged their respective strengths to work together, successfully bringing previously underutilized insect resources into society as high value-added materials.

As one concrete example of this social implementation, Yonex has utilized "MINOLON," a minomushi bagworm-derived material that combines light weight with high toughness, in the design and market deployment of the EZONE 2025 series of tennis racquets. The commercialization of products incorporating minomushi bagworm fibers is regarded as the first such case globally.

National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
Division of Silk-Producing Insect Biotechnology, Silk Materials Research Group
Tsunenori Kameda, Group Leader

Kowa Company, Ltd.
Future Business Development Office
Akimune Asanuma, Senior Manager
Tomoyoshi Nakatsu, Manager

Yonex Co., Ltd.
Product &Technology Development, Environmental Enhancement Department
Shinichiro Chiba, General Manager
Yuko Nakanishi, Manager

The "EZONE" tennis racquet, developed through the fusion of Yonex's carbon technology and the new material, MINOLON.

Yonex's mission is "to bring the world together by deepening people's connection to sport and to each other." The utilization of minomushi bagworm-derived materials and their application in products through this initiative represent one example of Yonex's ongoing efforts in manufacturing that seeks to balance environmental considerations with high performance, contributing to the realization of a more sustainable society.

Guided by its Purpose-"Craft a better future with unique innovations"-Yonex will continue to advance the possibilities of sport and pursue innovation by leveraging the manufacturing expertise it has cultivated over many years and through co-creation with diverse partners.

The Japan Open Innovation Prize is an awards program led by the Cabinet Office of Japan that recognizes outstanding initiatives in which companies, universities, and research institutions collaborate across organizational boundaries to create new value and contribute to solving social challenges. By honoring leading examples of open innovation, the program aims to accelerate the creation of innovation in Japan.

MINOLON Open in a new window.

EZONE Open in a new window.