Malaysian Firm Emerges Top In Japan’s Sustainable Innovation Challenge
A local company involved in sustainable material recycling, Midwest Composites Sdn. Bhd. has emerged as the Grand Winner at the esteemed MakiChalle 2024, securing a ¥1 million cash prize in Japan.
The MakiChalle, hosted by Makinohara City, celebrates international innovation that aligns with Japan’s commitment to sustainability. The win provides Midwest Composites with a financial boost and a pathway to develop joint initiatives with local Japanese industries and municipal leaders. Through these partnerships, the company hopes to expand its BioComposite technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices tailored to the Japanese market.
“We’re deeply honored by this recognition and excited to collaborate with Makinohara City to drive innovation,” said Sethu Raaj, CEO of Midwest Composites. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to delivering green alternatives in materials science, and we are eager to bring our technologies to Japan, advancing our shared vision for a sustainable future.”
“Midwest Composite has highly sophisticated technology to produce industrial material from the wasted crops. Their business plan expressed collaborations with green tea farmers and automobile manufacturers in Makinohara,” said Yoshito Denawa, CEO of CF Startup Partners, the organization in charge of the contest. “The number of startups who applied for the event this year was 149 including 40 from overseas. The special feature of this event is that it competes for business plans that include specific collaboration proposals with local industries centered on the sponsors. For overseas startups, in addition to the chance to get the prize money, if the collaboration proposal is adopted, it will be a big first step in entering the Japanese market.”
MakiChalle recognizes businesses that push boundaries in sustainable practices, drawing global participation from leaders in environmental and technological innovation.
