Dr. Ryohei Mori: Championing Carbon-Neutral Science for a Better Tomorrow

In an exclusive conversation with Corporate World, the CEO of Green Science Alliance shares his journey from molecular engineering to sustainable innovation.

At the intersection of deep science and urgent global need stands Dr. Ryohei Mori—a molecular engineer turned visionary entrepreneur. As CEO of Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd., and a driving force behind several advanced material startups, "Dr. Ryohei Mori" is pioneering a new era of environmentally sustainable technologies that span biodegradable plastics, recycled batteries, quantum dot fertilizers, and more. With degrees from Kyoto University and Harvard Business School, his academic roots are as deep as his industrial ambitions.

Through years of hands-on R&D and relentless experimentation, Dr. Mori has quietly built a portfolio of innovations that tackle carbon emissions, toxic waste, and resource inefficiency. What sets him apart isn’t just the scale of the technologies he’s building—but the patience, values, and personal conviction behind them. In this exclusive interview with Corporate World, he reflects on his journey, shares breakthrough insights, and offers advice for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

Q1. Give us an overview of your professional journey and the key milestones that shaped your career.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Applied Biology from the Kyoto Institute of Technology and pursued both a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University. Later, I furthered my leadership skills through the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Professionally, I began my career at Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd., a color chemical company, where I eventually became CEO. I later founded Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd. as an internal startup within Fuji Pigment, focusing specifically on carbon-neutral, sustainable green technologies. I serve as its CEO today.

In addition, I lead Quantum Materials Technology Co., Ltd., which concentrates on quantum dot development, and e-Gle Tech Co., Ltd., where we are creating electric vehicles with in-wheel motors.

Each of these milestones reflects a step toward applying advanced materials science to real-world environmental problems. I’ve always believed that deep science can—and should—play a role in solving humanity’s biggest challenges.

Q2. How does your background in molecular engineering shape the way you approach R&D and commercialization?

Molecular engineering has fundamentally shaped my approach to research and product development. During my Ph.D., I learned how to design and synthesize materials at the molecular level, and that precision allows for tremendous versatility.

Using this knowledge, I’ve been able to develop cutting-edge materials and products including:

• Biodegradable resins made from plant biomass

• A recycled lithium-ion battery using waste material known as black mass, which may be the first of its kind globally

• Platinum-less fuel cells, lowering cost and material dependence

• Quantum dot-based nano-fertilizers and antimicrobial pesticides

• Electrode materials for perovskite solar cells and metal-organic frameworks for CO₂ photo-reduction

• And further innovations like ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, carbon nanotube dispersions, and lithium-sulfur and aluminum-based rechargeable batteries

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The core advantage of molecular engineering is that it lets you build from the ground up. You’re not tweaking existing materials—you’re inventing new ones, tailored for sustainability and performance.

Q3. What personal values or experiences drive your commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality?

My commitment to sustainability started in childhood. I used to go fishing with my father, and during those trips, I saw firsthand the growing presence of plastic garbage—floating in rivers, scattered in forests, and polluting the ocean.

Even as a child, I could sense that something was wrong. Human activities were contaminating the natural beauty of our environment, and it didn’t feel right. That early, instinctive realization has stayed with me and grown stronger over time.

Sustainability is not just a professional goal—it’s personal. I’ve seen how easy it is to destroy nature, and I want to dedicate my life to developing technologies that help preserve it instead.

Q4. Carbon neutrality is a complex challenge. Which technologies from your research are best positioned to make a tangible impact in achieving net-zero emissions?

While I believe all of my technologies contribute meaningfully to carbon neutrality, if I had to choose one, I’d highlight our black mass-based lithium-ion battery as having the most immediate and tangible potential for global impact.

Black mass is a valuable material extracted from spent lithium-ion batteries. It contains critical metals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium. Traditional methods of separating these metals involve harsh chemicals that are expensive, dangerous to workers, and harmful to the environment.

We’ve developed a more direct, simpler process. Instead of separating the metals, our method uses black mass as-is to create cathode materials. This eliminates multiple steps, reduces toxic waste, and cuts manufacturing costs.

Making lithium-ion batteries cheaper and cleaner can accelerate the global shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. That, in turn, brings us closer to a low-carbon future.

Q5. How do you balance the demands of innovation, scalability, and affordability in developing eco-friendly materials for global markets?

Balancing innovation with scalability and affordability is one of the biggest challenges in sustainable product development. Even when the technology is sound, bringing it to market takes time, effort, and resources.

In my case, I’ve been fortunate to receive financial backing from Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd., the parent company, which has allowed Green Science Alliance to focus on long-term, impactful R&D without immediate commercial pressure.

However, to expand our reach, we must eventually scale independently. That’s why I plan to raise capital from external investors and aim to take the company public—potentially in Tokyo, Switzerland, or on the Nasdaq. Doing so will allow us to increase production, lower costs, and compete globally without compromising our green values.

Affordability comes from scale, but scale comes from sustained commitment. We’re building with both in mind.

Q6. What message would you like to share with young scientists, innovators, or entrepreneurs who aspire to build meaningful solutions for climate change?

My message is simple: don’t give up.

Developing carbon-neutral technologies is not easy. It takes time, patience, and often goes unrecognized. Even when the science is strong, market resistance can be high. People continue to favor petroleum-based products simply because they are cheaper and more familiar.

But we must persist—because someone has to. If the innovators and scientists stop pushing forward, who else will solve the problems we all face?

So, to the next generation: stay curious, stay courageous, and stay committed. The journey may be long, but the impact you can create is immeasurable.