MiRESSO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture; CEO: Masaru Nakamichi; hereinafter referred to as “MiRESSO”) and Pacific Metals Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Aoyama; hereinafter referred to as “PAMCO”) have signed a comprehensive business partnership agreement. To pilot its unique low-temperature refining technology, MiRESSO will establish a beryllium manufacturing pilot plant, “BETA” (Beryllium Testing plant in Aomori), within PAMCO’s manufacturing facility, aiming to commence beryllium production by fiscal year 2027. (Photo left: PAMCO President Masayuki Aoyama, Photo right: MiRESSO CEO Masaru Nakamichi)
1．Purpose and Overview of the Comprehensive Business Partnership
In October 2023, MiRESSO was selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR Phase 3) fusion field (project theme: Demonstration of Fusion Technology for Fusion Prototype Reactors) ※１. MiRESSO is advancing its beryllium manufacturing and sales business, aiming to produce beryllium necessary for fusion energy using its new low-temperature refining technology. Additionally, MiRESSO is developing a technology platform business that proposes refining processes and licenses technology tailored to the challenges of mineral resource refining, including recycling, using its low-temperature refining technology as a platform.
PAMCO primarily manufactures and sells stainless steel raw materials, focusing on ferro-nickel. Under its medium-term management plan PAMCO-2024, PAMCO aims to create new businesses that contribute to society, promoting new metal refining projects to supply metal raw materials necessary for clean energy technology.
MiRESSO and PAMCO have signed a comprehensive business partnership agreement to leverage their management resources and expertise to advance the commercialization of the “beryllium manufacturing and sales business” and the “low-temperature refining technology platform business.” As part of this agreement, MiRESSO will lease part of PAMCO’s manufacturing facility (address: 5-2 Toyama Shinden, Kawaragi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture) to establish its beryllium manufacturing pilot plant.
※１：MiRESSO Co., Ltd. selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR Phase 3) (¥2Billion)
(https://miresso.co.jp/2023/10/16/miresso_selected_japansbir_oct2023/)
2．Overview of BETA
At BETA (Beryllium Testing plant in Aomori), we will conduct pilot demonstrations of the new low-temperature refining technology and aim to start full-scale beryllium production and sales by fiscal year 2027. MiRESSO has signed a basic design contract with JGC Corporation, the largest plant engineering company, for the basic design of BETA .
※２ ※2 MiRESSO Co., Ltd. signs basic design contract with JGC Corporation for beryllium manufacturing pilot plant “BETA”
(https://miresso.co.jp/2024/10/25/jgc_coorporation_for_beta/)
BETA Overview
Location: 5-2 Toyama Shinden, Kawaragi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
Area: Approximately 300 m²
Production Start: Fiscal Year 2027
Completion Image: See below
Based on the results of the pilot demonstration at BETA, MiRESSO aims to construct a mass production plant with an annual beryllium production capacity of 100 tons by the early 2030s, when the construction of prototype and commercial fusion reactors will be in full swing.