We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Susumu Kitagawa, Executive Vice-President for Research Promotion at Kyoto University and Distinguished Professor at the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, on his joint award of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Dr. Kitagawa was awarded the prize alongside Professors Richard Robson (University of Melbourne) and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley) for their pioneering work developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).


Since 2022, Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taitō, Tokyo; President: Tsutomu Takahashi) has been collaborating with Atomis Inc. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture; CEO: Daisuke Asari), where Dr. Kitagawa serves as a Scientific Advisor to develop a new energy gas distribution system called the Smart Gas Network. This system utilizes Atomis' next-generation smart high-pressure gas container, CubiTan®, enabling efficient transport and trade of methane gas (such as biogas or natural gas) without reliance on pipeline infrastructure. The system contributes to addressing social challenges such as promoting local energy utilization and improving equitable access to energy.

CubiTan® is based on Porous Coordination Polymer / Metal-Organic Frameworks (PCP/MOFs) technology discovered and developed by Dr. Kitagawa. This breakthrough technology allows gases, previously difficult to control, to be adsorbed and released at the nanoscale under ambient conditions. As a result, gas containers that were once large and heavy can now be made lightweight and compact, marking a revolutionary advancement in gas storage and transport.

In April 2023, Yachiyo Engineering and Atomis concluded a business partnership agreement to promote the realization and commercialization of the Smart Gas Network. Subsequently, in October 2023, the two companies signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to accelerate PCP/MOF technology development in Indonesia. Furthermore, in July 2024, Yachiyo Engineering participated in Atomis' Series C funding round to support the development and mass production of CubiTan®, further strengthening their collaborative framework. In November 2024, field demonstration tests using an actual CubiTan® system commenced in Indonesia, marking a significant milestone toward real-world deployment of the Smart Gas Network.

With the announcement of Dr. Kitagawa's Nobel Prize, global attention to PCP/MOF technology is expected to grow dramatically. Yachiyo Engineering takes pride in contributing to this pioneering field and remains committed to advancing efforts toward realizing a sustainable and resilient society.

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Kitagawa for his invaluable guidance and continued support through Atomis Inc., and we extend our warmest wishes for his future endeavors and continued success.