One of the challenges faced by our world today is the production of plastic. Currently, approximately 400 million tons of plastic are manufactured globally each year. This process heavily relies on oil-based materials, resulting in the emission of significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which contributes to our carbon footprint.
Traditional plastics are a major source of ocean pollution, especially through the dissemination of microplastics. These small plastic particles have become a global environmental concern, posing severe threats to marine life and ecosystems. However, some leaders are playing important roles in driving change and finding solutions to the plastic crisis. They are committed to addressing the production and environmental impact of plastics, recognizing it as a critical challenge that must be addressed to protect our planet.
Ryohei Mori, CEO of Green Science Alliance, is a well-known leader dedicated to addressing the challenge of the production of plastic. He represents a new era of business leadership characterized by hands-on innovation and strategic talent management. Under Ryohei’s leadership, his companies have established themselves as industry leaders, recognized for their exceptional innovation, dedication to sustainability, and groundbreaking advancements in technology.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder
Ryohei began his academic journey at the Kyoto Institute of Technology, graduating in 1997 with a degree in Applied Biology. He continued his studies at Kyoto University, completing a master’s degree in science in 1999, followed by a PhD in Engineering. He also enhanced his management skills by completing the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Professionally, Ryohei started at Nissha Company, where he worked as a sales engineer and translator in Oulu, Finland. He then moved to Fuji Pigment in Japan as a researcher, eventually becoming the CEO in 2017.
Ryohei also established Green Science Alliance and Quantum Materials Technology, serving as the President of both companies. Currently, he focuses on Green Science Alliance addressing critical issues such as climate change and global warming. His work is centered on developing technologies to reduce CO2 emissions, plastic pollution, and other environmental problems.
The Pillars of Ryohei’s Companies
Fuji Pigment established in 1938, focuses on developing and manufacturing red organic pigment and various types of color products and inks. With a long history in the pigment industry, the company is known for its expertise in producing high-quality pigments.
Green Science Alliance founded in 2010, is dedicated to developing and manufacturing sustainable, carbon-neutral, environmentally friendly green materials and products. The company’s work aims to advance green technology and promote sustainability.
Quantum Materials Technology established in 2022, concentrates on researching and developing quantum dot and quantum dot-based technology. This company is involved in cutting-edge research to innovate and expand the applications of quantum dot technology.
These companies collectively represent Ryohei’s dedication to technological progress, environmental sustainability, and innovative research. Under his leadership, each organization not only excels in its respective industry but also makes a positive impact on the world.
Advanced Materials for a Greener Future
To support a sustainable, carbon-neutral society, Ryohei focuses on developing new products and technologies. His work includes creating plant-based biomass chemicals, such as biodegradable plastics, biomass coatings, biomass glue, and biomass paint, to replace petroleum-based chemical products to reduce CO2 emissions and plastic pollution. He also works with advanced materials like quantum dots, metal-organic frameworks, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and solid catalysts, applying these to various products.
Ryohei has also developed innovative quantum dot based fertilizer, anti-bacterials materials and pesticides, which are synthesized from biomass waste such as wood waste, paper waste and orange peel etc. Recently, he engineered a water harvesting device that extracts water from the air using metal-organic framework technology.
Aiming to differentiate Green Science Alliance, Ryohei utilizes advanced materials synthesized in-house, employing molecular-level material engineering technology. His work reflects a commitment to advancing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
Leadership in Climate Change Mitigation
During the current economic and environmental challenges, Ryohei is dedicated to advancing innovative technology to uphold the company’s profitability and ensure fair compensation for employees. Recognizing the seriousness of climate change, Ryohei is leading the company’s efforts to address this issue by staying informed about technologies that could help mitigate climate change and global warming. As part of this initiative, Green Science Alliance frequently invests in startup companies to encourage collaborations in technological advancements. This strategic approach allows the company to direct a competitive market successfully while also prioritizing the well-being of its employees.
Recognizing Leadership Evolution
“It will be easier to accelerate business if a leader can develop products or innovative business by her or himself, and not by employees.”
Ryohei Mori
As the CEO and a researcher himself, he has been instrumental in developing innovative products. Initially, he felt dissatisfied as the sole driver of product and business development despite paying salaries to his employees. His frustration stemmed from their limited contribution to new materials and products.
However, Ryohei soon realized that his employees excelled at generating profits from existing products, ensuring the company’s stability. This insight led him to understand that each person should focus on their strengths rather than being placed in unsuitable roles. By aligning tasks with individual expertise, the company saw a significant increase in profitability.
Recognizing the importance of specialized skills, Ryohei strategically hired more researchers skilled in developing innovations. This not only reduced his workload but also improved the company’s capacity for growth. As a result, he established a new entity, Green Science Alliance dedicated to the sustainable, carbon-neutral industry sector. This new company complemented his primary business, Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd., allowing both organizations to thrive in their respective positions.
Ryohei’s experience highlights the value of leveraging individual strengths within a team and the need for leaders to adapt and refine their strategies to create a thriving business environment for the future.
Upcoming Product Developments
Under the leadership of Ryohei, the company is significantly expanding. From a traditional B2B raw materials supplier to a B2C business, offering products directly to customers. He has played a key role in the development of plant-based biodegradable plastic products, nail cosmetics, and paints using advanced materials.
In addition to these consumer products, Ryohei is involved in the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries. One notable innovation is a lithium-ion battery based on black mass, which is made from recycled materials obtained from lithium-ion battery waste and contains high percentages of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. This could potentially be one of the first recycled lithium-ion batteries intended for practical use. He is also working on an aluminum-based rechargeable battery, which has the potential to be more cost-effective and durable than current commercial lithium-ion batteries.
Ryohei is also focused on developing platinum-free (or reduced platinum) fuel cells to reduce their cost. His contributions extend to the agricultural sector, where he has created new types of fertilizers, antibacterial materials, and pesticides. Another project under his leadership is a water-harvesting device that extracts water from the air using metal-organic framework technology.
By transitioning Green Science Alliance from a chemical manufacturer primarily focused on B2B operations, Ryohei’s initiatives are broadening the company’s scope, introducing innovative products directly to consumers.
