Asahi Kasei Establishes Framework Focused on Carbon Neutrality
Asahi Kasei established a “Care for Earth” investment framework as a new initiative for carbon neutrality by investing $100 million worldwide in early-stage startups that aim to solve issues in environmental fields such as hydrogen, energy storage, carbon management, and bio-based chemicals over the 5-year period up to fiscal year 2027.
Since 2008, Asahi Kasei has advanced corporate venture capital (CVC) activities in order to create new businesses by investing in startups and performing joint developments with them. Based in Silicon Valley since 2011, this activity has facilitated investments in over 50 startups in the US, Europe, China, and Japan, resulting in numerous collaborations and the two acquisitions of Crysal IS, a U.S.-based provider of UVC LEDs for air, water, and surface disinfection, and Swedish Senseair, a manufacturer of CO2 and alcohol sensing solutions.