Japan is turning rice-production waste into organic ethanol; the material is being developed for cosmetics and household products

Japan is finding new uses for rice that would otherwise be left behind, turning unused or unwanted rice into organic ethanol for cosmetics and everyday household products. Fermenstation, a Japanese company working with fermentation technology, has developed a process that ferments and distills rice into ethanol while also making use of the material left over from production. The approach connects agriculture with beauty and household goods, giving an overlooked resource a second life. It also reflects a wider effort to create products from renewable materials instead of relying entirely on conventional industrial ingredients.How is Japan turning rice waste into organic ethanol for cosmeticsFermenstation has developed a system in Oshu, Iwate, where rice is fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. According to Fermenstation’s official website, the idea grew from a project involving rice farmers and the local government that explored using rice from unused paddies to produce ethanol. The project eventually helped inspire the creation of the company.The company later began cultivating JAS-certified organic rice on previously abandoned farmland in Oshu and producing ethanol at its own facility. The process uses fermentation followed by distillation, turning the rice into a useful alcohol rather than leaving the resource unused. Fermenstation says its ethanol can be used as a raw material for cosmetics and aromatic products.This is important because ethanol is already a familiar ingredient in products people use every day. The difference is where the material comes from and how it is produced. Instead of treating unwanted agricultural material as waste, Fermenstation has built a process around giving it another purpose.The rice-based material is useful beyond ethanolThe process does not end when the ethanol has been separated. Fermenstation says the remaining distillation residue is also put to use, with part of it supplied as feed to local poultry and livestock farmers. This creates a link between the production facility and nearby farms instead of sending the leftover material into a waste stream.At the company’s Oshu laboratory, fermentation and distillation produce rice ethanol and a fermented mash known as rice moromi. The moromi can be sold as animal feed or further refined for use in organic beauty products. Material supplied to local farms supports livestock, while manure from those farms can return to Fermenstation’s fields as fertiliser.That connection is central to the company’s approach. As per the company’s official website, Fermenstation was founded around the idea of finding value in abundant waste and creating a business that could address environmental and social concerns at the same time.Rice-based ethanol appearing in everyday productsRice-derived ethanol is already finding its way into products beyond the raw material stage. Tokyo Weekender reports that the rice ethanol and the remaining undistilled rice material are used in natural cosmetic, skincare and aroma products.Morihata also reports that rice ethanol is an essential component used in everyday goods such as room sprays and hand sanitiser. It also notes that rice moromi has been incorporated into organic beauty products, including a facial soap.This gives the rice a life far removed from its original role as food or agricultural material. A crop that might otherwise have little value can become part of products used for cleaning, skincare, fragrance and personal care.What are the limitations of turning rice waste into ethanolAccording to the Fermenstation’s website, this approach is not a simple solution that can be applied to all rice waste. The system they incorporate is closely connected to local rice production, fermentation facilities and nearby farms, meaning its circular model depends on having the right resources and partners in place.Its organic ethanol also requires certification before it can be marketed for certified organic cosmetics. As reported by 22-med, other rice-waste uses involve separate processing methods, such as extracting oils and waxes from rice bran, so different types of waste cannot necessarily be handled in the same way.Importance of organic certification for the ingredientFermenstation’s rice ethanol received COSMOS certification as an organic cosmetic ingredient in January 2020, following USDA organic certification in November 2019. According to the company, COSMOS is a major international standard for organic cosmetics, with strict requirements covering areas such as organic agriculture, responsible use of natural resources and environmentally considerate manufacturing.The certification gives the rice-based ethanol a clearer place in the organic cosmetics market. Fermenstation also points to traceability as an important feature, noting that there are relatively few ethanol products that are both certified organic and traceable.What could this circular rice system mean for JapanFermenstation’s work reflects a broader challenge facing Japanese agriculture. Morihata reports that Japan’s rice consumption has fallen by more than half since the 1960s, while 1.3 million acres of productive paddies were left dry as of 2022. Fermenstation’s development in Oshu offers one way of reconnecting unused farmland, farmers and new markets.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.