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The ENEOS Group’s
Long-Term VisionThe ENEOS Group’s long-term vision is to achieve both a stable supply of energy and materials and the realization of a carbon-neutral society. We are promoting hydrogen, renewable energy, synthetic fuels, and carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) to maintain a balance among safety, energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental protection (S+3E) .At the same time, we are also taking the lead in society’s energy transition, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2050.
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Role of the
Central Technical Research LaboratoryThe Central Technical Research Laboratory supports “today’s normal” by conducting research for the stable supply of energy and materials. We are also engaged in technological development to take the lead for “tomorrow’s normal.” These R&D efforts include synthetic fuels, biofuels, and Direct MCH®, a technology that converts renewable energy into hydrogen carriers suitable for storage and transport. With the aim of social implementation, we leverage digital technologies such as AI and materials informatics (MI) in our R&D process and promote an open innovation research environment.
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General Manager, Central Technical Research Laboratory
Yuichi Tanaka
Joined the company in 1995. Engaged in the R&D of operational support of petroleum refining process, hydrogen supply infrastructure, and gas-to-liquid technological demonstrations. Appointed to current position after serving as Deputy General Manager of the Technology Strategy Office, Deputy General Manager of the Engineering & Capital Planning Department, and General Manager of the IT Planning & Development Department. Scale-up engineer connecting elemental technologies to social implementation. His calling is management, and his motto is “Results can be maximized when all members are having fun working.”
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Fellow, Central Technical Research Laboratory
Yasushi Sato
Joined the company in 1994. Engaged in the development of household fuel cell system ENE-FARM from 2001. Afterwards, served as Research Manager for Carbon Neutrality, investigating hydrogen, electrolysis, and CO2 utilization, as General Manager of the Innovation Technology Center, and as General Manager of the Central Technical Research Laboratory, before assuming current position of Fellow. Conceived the idea of Direct MCH® (methylcyclohexane) process, which directly produces hydrogen carriers using renewable energy. Currently Chairman of the Japan Institute of Energy. His motto is “Don’t shrink back from failure.”
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Interviewer
InterviewerTechnology Strategy Office
Central Technical Research LaboratoryA.N.
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CHAPTER 01
Aim of the dual leadership system
In April 2025, the Central Technical Research Laboratory introduced a new organizational structure designed to strengthen its capabilities. Under a dual leadership model, one leader is responsible for lab management and another leader guides technological R&D. Here we introduce the two leaders’ roles and goals.
A.N.
In April 2025, Mr. Tanaka assumed the position as the General Manager of the Central Technical Research Laboratory. With Dr. Sato as Fellow, the laboratory assumed a dual leadership structure. Please tell us about the aim of this leadership format and your roles.
Tanaka
As the General Manager, my role is to handle communication and utilize human resources within the laboratory. Professionalism in management is necessary to support employees’ self-actualization and bring out their best performance. At the same time, to fully unleash the lab’s technological capabilities, leadership to guide research with advanced knowledge is also necessary. Our goal is to maximize the Central Technical Research Laboratory’s performance by dividing these leadership responsibilities along the lines of each leader’s realm of expertise.
Sato
With Mr. Tanaka responsible for the lab’s management, I can focus on applying my career as a researcher to support other researchers. As a member of a number of technical professional organizations, I’m also leveraging my external networks to advance research within ENEOS.
Tanaka
To close the gap between research and commercialization, we need a management system that can flexibly adapt the organization as circumstances require. With the dual leadership model, we aim to deepen ENEOS’s various research efforts while accelerating their social implementation.
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CHAPTER 02
Two perspectives guiding the Central Technical Research Laboratory
Two leaders with different backgrounds are leveraging their knowledge and experiences cultivated during their respective careers to promote a new management system. We take a closer look at the division of their roles to draw out the strengths of the Central Technical Research Laboratory and the rationale for this system.
A.N.
The Central Technical Research Laboratory has adopted a dual leadership structure. How will your careers and backgrounds contribute to making this format a success?
Tanaka
My career began with improving petroleum refining equipment. I worked as a demonstration and scale-up engineer. After that, I was involved in DX both inside and outside the Central Technical Research Laboratory. Most recently, as General Manager of the IT Planning & Development Department, my responsibilities included transforming the company’s internal operations, and I gained managerial experience outside my area of specialty. As the General Manager of the Central Technical Research Laboratory, I will apply my career and experience as a management professional to improve the laboratory’s performance.
Sato
I’ve always worked in the Central Technical Research Laboratory since I joined the company. I’ve been involved in the development of fuel cells, and based on the knowledge I gained from this effort, I’ve been researching the use of hydrogen and CO2. The personal connections I’ve made both inside and outside ENEOS are great assets to me. As Fellow, my role is to keep up to date with the latest information and technological trends and support each research area in the laboratory.
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CHAPTER 03
The Central Technical Research Laboratory’s mission
The ENEOS Group’s long-term vision is to achieve both a stable supply of energy and materials and the realization of a carbon-neutral society. How will the Central Technical Research Laboratory contribute to making this vision a reality? We discuss the lab’s mission and its outlook.
A.N.
What role does the Central Technical Research Laboratory play in achieving the ENEOS Group’s long-term vision?
Tanaka
About one billion tons of greenhouse gas is emitted in Japan annually. ENEOS is responsible for 200 million tons of these emissions, so it is incumbent on us to consider how to achieve a low-carbon society. The international situation surrounding energy and materials is becoming increasingly uncertain these days. We’ll experience both tailwinds and headwinds in scaling up technologies in the medium to long term. The Central Technical Research Laboratory must remain steadfast and conduct research inquiries without being swayed by immediate circumstances or events. We are determined to continue what we need to do to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.
Sato
Our research has two focuses: efforts that support “today’s normal” and efforts that take the lead for “tomorrow’s normal.” A long-term vision is essential for research that can be commercialized in the future. To achieve carbon neutrality, we need to develop technologies like synthetic fuels that don’t exist yet and connect them to social implementation. The Central Technical Research Laboratory is capable of conducting such research while keeping a broad perspective on social issues and creating next-generation revenue streams for ENEOS.
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CHAPTER 04
The Central Technical Research Laboratory’s major efforts
The Central Technical Research Laboratory is engaged in four research themes to achieve carbon neutrality. In addition, our researchers are focused on integrating advanced technologies like AI and materials informatics (MI) in research methods. Let’s look at the developments continuing at the Central Technical Research Laboratory.
A.N.
What are the research themes that the Central Technical Research Laboratory is especially emphasizing right now?
Sato
We’re engaged in four themes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions: hydrogen-carrier manufacturing technology (Direct MCH®), synthetic fuels, chemical recycling and biofuels. These projects have entered the demonstration phase, and commercialization is on the horizon.
A.N.
What is distinctive about how ENEOS conducts research?
Tanaka
In recent years, it has become essential for researchers to keep abreast of the latest technological trends and make full use of them. At ENEOS, we’re applying material informatics (MI), AI, and the latest analysis technologies to carry out research efficiently.
Sato
No laboratory carries out experiments on everything anymore. MI is being used to search for catalysts, polymers, and lubricant additives. This has revealed new materials previously not considered as candidates. MI is significantly changing not only how research is being done but also how ideas are conceived and assessed. The use of digital technology will continue to be a critical part of ENEOS’s R&D process going forward.
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CHAPTER 05
The type of researcher the Central Technical Research Laboratory looks for
People with diverse expertise and flexible thinking bring out the strength of the Central Technical Research Laboratory. Finally, we look at the growth opportunities unique to ENEOS and the rewards of being a researcher at the Central Technical Research Laboratory.
A.N.
What kind of people does the Central Technical Research Laboratory need to fulfill its mission?
Sato
Research has various phases. Each researcher has their own strengths and weaknesses in each phase. We need richly diverse human resources. Our lab can demonstrate its collective strength by harnessing the wide-ranging talents and qualities in our people.
Tanaka
An asset we value is a mindset that actively looks to broaden the areas you should be active in while maintaining your main expertise. You can’t do your job of contributing to society with just one skill. I also want our researchers to be interested in applying business thinking to their own research specialty and actively take on challenges. What’s more, in recent years digital technology has become essential to R&D, and our researchers need to get the most out of all forms of digital technology, not just AI. At the same time, we also need people who can’t be replaced by AI. Truly new ideas come only from humans.
A.N.
What makes working at ENEOS appealing and interesting?
Sato
We’ve created an environment where specialists from a variety of fields can easily cross departmental boundaries and consult one another to make full use of their talents and strengths. Construction of our new research building will be completed in fiscal 2026. It will have a floor where all members can gather to freely exchange ideas. This will bring about the fusion of knowledge and create new value. We are also promoting open innovation by providing spaces to collaborate with other companies and research institutes.
Tanaka
I believe the work is highly rewarding. As mentioned earlier, ENEOS is a key player in the energy sector, allowing researchers to be directly involved in achieving carbon neutrality. It's truly fulfilling for researchers. Furthermore, the career paths are diverse. To cultivate a wide range of talent, those who seek tomorrow's seeds, those who nurture them, and those who commercialize them we offer tailored career paths aligned with individual aptitudes and aspirations, encompassing both business-oriented and authority-oriented tracks.
