SOLAMENT™
SXSW 2025
SXSW Expo
MARCH 9-12 | AUSTIN TX USA
We exhibited at the world’s largest innovation festival, SXSW (South by Southwest) for two consecutive years and has concluded successfully.
SXSW 2025’s theme was ‘Solar-smart Agriculture’, which turns the sun—often regarded as a threat in the era of global boiling—into an ally.
SOLAMENT™ was selected as a finalist in the WTF (What the Future) category of the SXSW Innovation Awards, which recognizes innovative uses of pioneering technology and new services.
Feature 01 Solar-smart Agriculture
Making the Sun an Ally for Agriculture
in a Boiling Age
The sun is essential to both humans and plants. However, in the intense heat of the "boiling age" we face today, the sun is often seen as a threat. To thrive in this era, we must reclaim the sun as an ally rather than a danger.
SOLAMENT™ introduces the concept of "Solar-smart Agriculture," which maximizes the benefits of sunlight for agriculture even in this challenging climate. By effectively managing the sun’s heat while letting essential light pass through, it protects workers from extreme conditions, improves photosynthesis to increase yields, and safeguards heat-sensitive organisms like plants and insects. Additionally, it addresses critical water challenges and offers solutions to issues impacting cities and nations alike.
This innovative material technology envisions a transformative approach to agriculture—one that ensures agriculture remains a shared resource for all. Together, let’s illuminate new possibilities.
SOLAMENT AgriCool Shade™
Harnessing the power of materials, we aim to restore a cool environment required for agriculture. This heat-blocking shade is the next-generation solution that turns sunlight into an ally. It can lower the soil temperature of greenhouses by up to 8.5°C during peak summer, allowing necessary light for photosynthesis to pass through while blocking excess heat. Not only does it prevent leaf burn and cracking, thereby maintaining the quality of crops, but it also creates a cool and comfortable working environment. This is a forward-thinking option that brings light to the potential of agriculture.
*Comparison measurements of daily maximum soil temperatures in Japan.
Reduces Greenhouse Soil Temperature by Up to 8.5°C
By integrating the material technology SOLAMENT™ into the fabric, it cuts near-infrared light (NIR), the cause of heat generation, while allowing visible light to pass through which is necessary for photosynthesis. This has led to cases where crop yields have increased by 150%.
Control Sunlight Transmission with Advanced Material and Weaving Technology
By blocking near-infrared light (NIR), it prevents damage to crops such as leaf burn and fruit cracking due to overheating. With creative weaving methods, variations in transmission rates are also possible.
Illuminate Future Possibilities
The Potential Future of Agriculture with SOLAMENT™
Fair & Fresh Certification Mark by Solar-smart Agriculture
ISSUE
With the global boiling, vegetables and fruits are suffering from high-temperature damage caused by strong direct sunlight, leading to cracking and leaf burn, which contributes to food waste issues. Additionally, producers are exhausted from working in scorching environments, resulting in labor-related problems.
SOLUTION SAMPLE
By utilizing the methods of Solar-smart Agriculture, which enable heat-blocking effects and optimal temperature management, there is a potential to produce high-quality crops in a producer-friendly manner. Crops produced using this method will bear the “Fair & Fresh certification mark.” By collaborating with retailers and food processing manufacturers to develop next-generation food products, we aim to enhance consumer needs while realizing sustainable production and supply.
Climate Risk Management with Data-driven Insurance
ISSUE
The impacts of global boiling are immense, resulting in the loss of 512 billion working hours in 2023, with agriculture accounting for 63% of that figure. Economically vulnerable agricultural workers are further pushed into crisis.
*Bloomberg / the Lancet’s study of climate and health
SOLUTION SAMPLE
By utilizing SOLAMENT™, we create an environment conducive to labor in greenhouses even during the peak of summer. We further minimize various risks such as heatstroke, reduced yields, and increased air conditioning costs by combining climate data, worker health data, and energy data. Any resulting damage is covered by insurance products, ensuring that everyone can continue in agriculture in a safer, more comfortable environment with lower risks.
Solar-smart City
ISSUE
As agricultural land changes due to global boiling, efforts are underway to utilize diverse environments, including urban areas.
In such settings, measures are also necessary for office buildings, which are generally more affected by temperature increases. It is essential to find ways to address the challenges while also minimizing environmental impact on the Earth.
SOLUTION SAMPLE
Bringing agriculture into urban areas by controlling heat with zero energy using sunlight. Transforming rooftops and building spaces into farms, aiming for an agri friendly city that promotes local production for local consumption. By providing agricultural experiences as entertainment, we enhance the attractiveness and retention of buildings.
In today's era of global boiling, rising temperatures threaten agriculture.
It can lead to decreased harvest yields due to leaf burn and fruit splitting, and producers are suffering in extreme heat.
Our precious food culture faces an existential threat.
We aim to revitalize farming with next-gen greenhouses using SOLAMENT AgriCool Shade™.
We seek partners to pioneer innovative farming practices globally.
Feature 02 Solar-smart Water
With only sunlight and the material technology SOLAMENT™, seawater and wastewater can be transformed into pure water. This sustainable solution operates without external energy and can be utilized anywhere there is sunlight, offering a unique approach to water generation.
Mechanism of
Solar-smart Water
The central light-absorbing plate, infused with SOLAMENT™, generates heat. This heat warms the absorbent paper below, causing water vapor to form. The aluminum plate at the bottom then cools the vapor, turning it into droplets and producing pure water.
Potential Use Case 01
For Agriculture
Transforming Seawater into Pure Water for Sustainable Agriculture in Large-scale Greenhouses
For instance, in European vineyards, the challenge posed by global warming—where nighttime temperatures do not drop sufficiently for grapes to develop their desired properties—can potentially be addressed with greenhouse ceilings utilizing SOLAMENT™. By absorbing near-infrared light (NIR) during the day, SOLAMENT™ lowers the temperature inside the house and simultaneously converts seawater into pure water. After sunset, this water is used for irrigation, cooling the grapevines and preserving the quality of the wine.
Potential Use Case 02
For Architecture
Generating Daily-use Water from Building Windows and Roofs
By using SOLAMENT™ in windows, it is possible to insulate buildings while simultaneously generating hot water. This innovation applies the concept of solar water heaters, enabling the creation of hot water from sunlight through residential windows. With its high transparency, SOLAMENT™ adds new value, it adds new value without obstructing the light intake and external views that windows provide.
Potential Use Case 03
For Drinking
Ensuring Access to Drinking Water for Uninhabited Islands and Water-scarce Regions
With SOLAMENT™, it is possible to secure drinking water using only sunlight without any energy consumption, even on uninhabited islands and in water-scarce regions. This solution enables water supply in areas struggling with water shortages and supports a sustainable future.
