Midwest Composites Sdn. Bhd. has won the Grand Prize at Japan’s MakiChalle 2024, securing ¥1 million and exclusive collaboration opportunities with Japanese industries. The company’s innovative work in sustainable composite materials, particularly its BioComposite technologies, impressed judges and aligns with Japan’s focus on sustainability. This recognition strengthens Midwest Composites’ mission to deliver eco-friendly solutions while expanding into the Japanese market.
20 November 2024 – Midwest Composites Sdn. Bhd., a trailblazer in sustainable composite materials, has clinched the prestigious Grand Winner title at MakiChalle 2024, hosted by Makinohara City, Japan. The accolade comes with a cash prize of ¥1 million (approximately MYR28,000), recognizing the company’s innovative contributions to sustainable manufacturing.
The MakiChalle competition celebrates global innovation aligned with Japan’s sustainability objectives. Midwest Composites’ victory opens doors to exclusive collaboration opportunities with Japanese industries and municipal leaders. These partnerships will enable the company to enhance its BioComposite technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices tailored specifically for the Japanese market.
Advancing Sustainability in Japan
At the award ceremony held on November 7, 2024, Sethu Raaj, CEO of Midwest Composites, expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“We’re deeply honored by this recognition and excited to collaborate with Makinohara City to drive innovation,” said Raaj. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to delivering green alternatives in materials science. We look forward to advancing our shared vision for a sustainable future by introducing our technologies to Japan.”
Yoshito Denawa, CEO of CF Startup Partners, highlighted the unique features of Midwest Composites’ business plan. “Midwest Composites has highly sophisticated technology to produce industrial material from wasted crops. Their proposal, involving collaborations with green tea farmers and automobile manufacturers in Makinohara, impressed us greatly,” said Denawa.
This year’s MakiChalle event attracted 149 participants, including 40 startups from overseas. The contest evaluates business plans that propose specific collaborations with local industries, offering overseas startups a significant gateway into the Japanese market alongside prize money.
Global Impact with Local Relevance
Midwest Composites’ focus on natural fibers and recycled materials aligns with MakiChalle’s mission to push the boundaries of sustainability. The recognition is a testament to the company’s innovative approach and commitment to eco-friendly solutions, marking a major milestone in its journey to revolutionize materials science on a global scale.
