Joint Evaluation by SPACECOOL, TAIYO KOGYO, ITOCHU, and KANBO PRAS of Membrane Construction Materials for use at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

We would like to announce that SPACECOOL INC. (CEO: Takayuki Hoshuyama), TAIYO KOGYO CORPORATION (President: Hidefumi Araki), ITOCHU Corporation (President & Chief Operating Officer: Keita Ishii) and KANBO PRAS CORPORATION (President: Shinji Nakamura) will begin joint evaluation of membrane material materials for construction which utilize the “SPACECOOL” radiative sky cooling material.

So far, SPACECOOL, TAIYO KOGYO, ITOCHU and KANBO PRAS have investigated the use of this material in membrane materials for construction. Based on investigation results to date, SPACECOOL, TAIYO KOGYO, ITOCHU and KANBO PRAS have agreed to begin joint evaluation.

Together with Osaka Gas, SPACECOOL has submitted a proposal in response to the “public appeal for demonstration tests in Yumeshima”, and plans to conduct a demonstration test at the venue for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, sponsored by the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Together with KANBO PRAS, we will manufacture, install, and evaluate tents made with a membrane material that combines tent fabric with SPACECOOL.

Hereafter, SPACECOOL and KANBO PRAS will develop and manufacture membrane materials with the goal of use in membrane structures such as pavilions at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. TAIYO KOGYO and ITOCHU will cooperate in evaluating and verifying these materials, with the aim of acquiring their certification as membrane materials for construction.

1. Membrane materials using this material

2. Comparative verification of tents using this material

Measured at Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. Energy Technology Laboratories in Osaka’s Konohana Ward (Ambient temperature at noon August 16, 2020: Approx. 35°C) Test comparing tents using SPACECOOL (silver and white) with regular tents. We confirmed a difference of about -10°C in apparent temperature inside the tents.

3. Examples of how this material will be used at the Osaka, Kansai Expo

“Shade tents” deliver comfort along the main thoroughfares

“Cool spots” and similar applications inside the venue

4. Company Overview

SPACECOOL INC. is an open innovation joint venture between WiL, LLC and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. We develop and sell “SPACECOOL”, a radiative sky cooling material to ameliorate hot environments.


Head office	4F ARCH, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative	Takayuki Hoshuyama, CEO
Established	April 1, 2021
Shareholder distribution	WiL 51%, Osaka Gas 49%
Business overview	Sales and consulting related to energy conservation; sales and consulting for products intended to improve the environment.
Vision	Bring coolness in the shade of trees to the world


Head Office	4-8-4 Kikawahigashi, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan
Representative	Hidefumi Araki, President
Established	October 2, 1947
Business overview	Planning, design, manufacture, sales, and installation of materials for all structures and equipment that apply membrane technology. In particular, the company is active globally as one of the world’s leading large tent businesses. It has provided its products to both the Japan World Exposition in 1970 and the Dubai World Exposition planned to be held this year.


Head office	2-5-1, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Headquarters)
Representative	Keita Ishii, President & Chief Operating Officer
Established	December 1, 1949
Business overview	ITOCHU is involved in domestic trading, import/export, and overseas trading of various products such as textiles, machinery, metals, energy, chemicals, food, general products, realty, information and communications technology, and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and overseas.


Head Office	Sakaisuji Honmachi Building 8th floor, 1-8-14 Minamihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan
Representative	Shinji Nakamura
Established	March 24, 1939
Business overview	1. Manufacture and sales of canvas by combining fibers and plastics (resins) 2. Sales of products designed, engineered, and sewn from canvas 3. First-class architects’ office: Design and construction of buildings and structures

Inquire about this project SPACECOOL INC. https://www.spacecool.jp/en/contact/