Our Philosophy
MECHANOCROSS is a pioneering company reshaping
the future of chemistry through mechanochemical organic synthesis.
Pharmaceuticals and industrial devices—essential to our daily lives—are built upon the power of
organic compounds and the methodologies of organic synthetic chemistry.
This technology of organic synthesis has been cultivated through
countless trials and errors by generations of synthetic chemists.
Yet the traditional processes that evolved from it rely heavily
on the excessive use of organic solvents and polymers.
While honoring the legacy of organic chemistry, we are forging a new path forward.
By pioneering novel approaches to organic synthesis itself, we aim to break our dependence on
petroleum and dramatically reduce carbon emissions—for a greener chemical world.
Our vision is to spark an industrial revolution from Japan to the world
—powered by mechanochemical organic synthesis.
01
We aim to realize a decarbonized, petroleum-free society through cutting-edge organic synthesis.
02
We bring groundbreaking synthesis technologies to market, challenging global norms and driving industrial innovation.
03
We contribute to building a more sustainable world through our eco-friendly manufacturing practice.
04
We collaborate across industries and borders to co-create a more livable, inclusive global society.
05
We are a team united by trust and shared purpose—supporting one another and growing together.
06
We walk hand-in-hand with Hokkaido, staying rooted in our community and guided always by gratitude and respect.
Harnessing the power of organic synthesis,
we connect the evolution of chemistry to the future.
Company
Company name
MECHANOCROSS Co., Ltd.
Date of Establishment
November 1, 2023
Number of employees
11
Capital, etc.
20 million yen
※Capital reduction in 2024
Funding
- Debt Hokuyo Bank, Japan Finance Corporation
- Equity Currently in discussions with several Venture Capitals
Business details
- Providing technologies to replace solution-based reactions with mechanochemical processes.
- Development and provision of highly functional materials obtained from insoluble compounds.
- Dissemination of information related to mechanochemical organic synthesis.
Location
-
Head Office
2-33, Kita 5-Jo Nishi 29-Chome, Chuo-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
-
R&D center
Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Development (WPI-ICReDD)
Kita 21 Nishi 10, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Director
- Representative Director Tomohisa Saito
- Director Hajime Ito (Ph.D. (Engineering), Distinguished Professor, Hokkaido University)
- Director Koji Kubota (Ph.D. (Engineering), Associate Professor, Hokkaido University)
Our History
Scroll to explore our journey
2018
The founders, Professor Hajime Ito and Associate Professor Koji Kubota (a specially appointed Assistant Professor at that time), began research on mechanochemical organic synthesis at Hokkaido University.
2019
We developed solid-state cross-coupling reactions using mechanochemistry, which was the first research achievement of the Ito group. This study was published in Nature's sister journal, one of the world's premier scientific journals.
2019
We developed redox reactions of organic compounds with piezoelectric materials using mechanochemistry. This study was published in Science, one of the world's premier scientific journals.
2021
We developed a method for the chemical modification of commodity plastics using mechanochemistry. This study was published in Angewandte Chemie, one of the world's premier chemistry journals.
2021
A paste was successfully synthesized from Grignard reagents using mechanochemistry. This study was published in Nature's sister journal, one of the world's premier scientific journals.
2022
We were selected for the START program, which aims to create new industries based on the research results of universities. We conducted preliminary studies on industrial applications of mechanochemical synthesis.
2022
Prof. Ito won the Hokkaido Governor's Award at the HSFC DemoDay Pitch Contest.
2023
We developed an ultra-fast Birch reduction protocol that can be performed at room temperature in air using a mechanochemical method. This study was published in Angewandte Chemie, one of the world's premier scientific journals.
2023
Prof. Ito won the Hokkaido Governor's Award at HSFC DemoDay for the second year in a row.
2023.11
Prof. Ito and Associate Prof. Kubota launched MECHANOCROSS Co., Ltd. and Mr. Saito, who was a student of Prof. Ito, became CEO.
2023.12
MECHANOCROSS Co., Ltd. was selected as a start-up company from Hokkaido University.
When Soichiro Imaeda, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, visited Hokkaido University, we explained MECHANOCROSS's initiatives to him.
Intellectual Property
Mecanocross is commercially operated under license from a patent obtained by Hokkaido University (Prof. Ito and Associate Prof. Kubota) related to mechanochemical organic synthesis.
The company plans to expand its own independent acquisitions in the future.
Scroll to view our intellectual property portfolio
Mechanocross
IP#
Name
Patent
2024-147352
Patent on development of
equipment and containers
Trademark
2024-102871
MECHANOCROSS 【Logo 】
Trademark
2024-102872
MECHANOCROSS 【Name 】
Trademark
2024-109050
MECHANO X 【Name & Logo 】
Collaboration
IP#
Name
Patent
2024-030248
Patent on fluorination
Hokkaido University
IP#
Name
Patent
2023-062433
REDUCTION METHOD
Patent
2022-211011
POLYMER MECHANORADICAL INITIATOR
AND REACTION METHOD USING POLYMER
MECHANORADICAL INITIATOR
Patent
2022-194076
METHOD FOR PRODUCING
HOMO-COUPLING REACTION PRODUCT
Patent
2023/167321
MECHANOCHEMICAL REACTION ADDITIVE,
MECHANOCHEMICAL METHOD,
LIGAND COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX
Patent
7404606
METHOD FOR PRODUCING ORGANIC METAL
NUCLEOPHILIC AGENT AND REACTION METHOD
USING ORGANIC METAL NUCLEOPHILIC AGENT
Patent
2021/177290
METHOD FOR PRODUCING MONO-CROSS
-COUPLED AROMATIC COMPOUND
HAVING LEAVING GROUP
Patent
2021/045207
MECHANOREDOX REACTION USING
PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL, AND PRODUCTION
METHOD USING SAID REACTION
Patent
7023019
SOLVENT-FREE CROSS-COUPLING
REACTION, AND PRODUCTION METHOD
USING SAID REACTION