Zenbird Editorial TeamHipotech Inc. is integrating renewable energy production with local agriculture with its new food and agricultural brand, THE GARLIC & LAB, in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. It will utilise nutrient-rich liquid digestate from its methane fermentation biogas plant as organic fertiliser for garlic cultivation, alongside using surplus plant heat for secondary product manufacturing.
Hipotech has operated the React Yonezawa Biogas Plant since 2020 as part of its renewable energy business. The facility processes cattle manure sourced from local livestock farmers and organic waste from nearby food processing factories through methane fermentation to produce biogas. The process generates a liquid digestate rich in essential plant nutrients, which previously required disposal or treatment.
Hipotech established an in-house farming enterprise in 2023, selecting garlic for its suitability for the cold climate of Yonezawa and its versatility in processing. The crop allows for conversion into value-added items such as black garlic, garlic oil, and garlic paste, expanding business prospects.
A dedicated processing factory currently under construction adjacent to the biogas plant is scheduled for completion in October 2026. The facility will harness surplus thermal energy generated by the neighbouring biogas plant to power processing operations. Hipotech plans to launch a dedicated e-commerce platform in 2027 to distribute its processed garlic products nationwide.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
