Legacy of Fukushima disaster shows nuclear energy is no solution to energy and climate crisis.
Sapporo, Japan – WEBWIRE – Monday, April 17, 2023
The nations of the G7 have chosen politics over science and the protection of the marine environment with their decision to support the Japanese governments plans to discharge Fukushima radioactive waste water into the Pacific Ocean.
The 1.3 million cubic meters/tons of radioactive waste water at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, currently in tanks, is scheduled to be discharged into the Pacific Ocean this year. Nations in the Asia Pacific region, led by the Pacific Island Forum, have strongly voiced their opposition to the plans.[1] Some of the worlds leading oceanographic institutes and marine scientists have criticised the weakness of the scientific justification applied by TEPCO, the owner of the nuclear plant, warned against using the Pacific Ocean as a dumping ground for radioactive contaminated water, and called for alternatives to discharge to be applied.[2]
The Japanese government is desperate for international endorsement for its Pacific Ocean radioactive water dump plans. It has failed to protect its own citizens, including the vulnerable fishing communities of Fukushima, as well as nations across the wider Asia Pacific region. The aftermath of the nuclear disaster at Fukushima is still strongly felt, and the Japanese government has failed to fully investigate the effects of discharging multiple radionuclides on marine life. The government is obligated under international law to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, including the impact of transboundary marine pollution, but has failed to do so. Its plans are a violation of the UN Convention Law of the Sea.
The marine environment is under extreme pressure from climate change, overfishing and resource extraction. Yet, the G7 thinks its acceptable to endorse plans to deliberately dump nuclear waste into the ocean. Politics inside the G7 at Sapporo just trumped science, environmental protection, and international law, said Shaun Burnie, Senior Nuclear Specialist at Greenpeace East Asia.
Greenpeace East Asia analysis has detailed the failures of liquid waste processing technology at the Fukushima Daiichi plant and the environmental threats posed by the releases.[3] There is no prospect of an end to the nuclear crisis at the plant as current decommissioning plans are not feasible. Furthermore, the report finds the nuclear fuel debris in the reactors cannot be completely removed and will continue to contaminate the ground water over many decades.[4] Claims that the discharges will take 30 years is inaccurate as in reality, it will continue into the next century. Viable alternatives to discharge, specifically long term storage and processing, have been ignored by the Japanese government.[3]
The Japanese governments attempt to normalise the Fukushima nuclear disaster is directly linked to its overall energy policy objective of increasing the operation of nuclear reactors again after the 2011 disaster. 54 reactors were available in 2011 compared to only ten reactors in 2022, generating 7.9% of the nations electricity in FY21 compared to 29% in 2010.[5] Meanwhile, five of the other six G7 governments led by France, the US and the UK are also aggressively promoting nuclear power development.
The idea that the nuclear industry is capable of delivering a safe and sustainable energy future is delusional and a dangerous distraction from the only viable energy solution to the climate emergency which is 100% renewable energy. The global growth of low cost renewable energy has been phenomenal but it has to be much faster and at an even greater scale if carbon emissions are to be reduced by 2030. Approval for nuclear waste dumping and nuclear energy expansion sound like the 1970s but we have no time for such distractions. We are in a race to save the climate in the 21st century, and only renewables can deliver this, said Shaun Burnie.
Notes:
[1] Pacific Islands Forum, Japan must work with the Pacific to find a solution to the Fukushima water release issue otherwise we face disaster, 4 January 2023
[2] The 100 U.S. based institutions of the National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML) which includes SCRIPPS and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 12 December 2022 Many of the radionuclides contained in the accumulated waste cooling water have half-lives ranging from decades to centuries, and their deleterious effects range from DNA damage and cellular stress to elevated cancer risks in people who eat affected marine organisms, such as clams, oysters, crabs, lobster, shrimp, and fish. We urge the Government of Japan to stop pursuing their planned and precedent-setting release of the radioactively contaminated water into the Pacific Ocean and to work with the broader scientific community to pursue other approaches that protect ocean life; human health; and those communities who depend on ecologically, economically, and culturally valuable marine resources.
[3] Greenpeace East Asia Stemming the tide 2020 : The reality of the Fukushima radioactive water crisis report 2020
[4] Sato Satoshi, Decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, March 2021
[5] World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2022
Apr 12, 2023 | Business
Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC; “Company”; “Moolec”), a science-based food ingredient company focused on producing animal proteins in plants through Molecular Farming, announced today the acquisition of plant-based food ingredient capabilities dedicated to the production and commercialization of functional soy proteins. This will help to accelerate Moolec’s growth in the food ingredients industry by expanding its commercial network with a top-notch sales team and complementing its Molecular Farming Platform with industrial capacity, downstream operations, and a highly experienced team of professionals.
“This strategic decision accelerates our business plan’s execution by combining existing commercial and manufacturing capabilities in different geographies, with the deep-science approach of our Molecular Farming Platform. As a result, Moolec is well-positioned to accelerate its sales ramp ahead of schedule starting in the 2023/2024 period with estimated revenues in the range of $6 million,” said Jose Lopez Lecube, Moolec Science’s Chief Financial Officer.
These Food Ingredient Capabilities resulting from the integration of ValoraSoy include state-of-the-art industrial facilities with a processing capacity of 10,000 tons strategically located in one of the main Argentine soybean corridors; a team of technicians, engineers, agronomists, and plant-based professionals; and commercial channels in more than 14 countries on three different continents. Soy-based protein ingredients are manufactured using several extrusion technologies and processes which yield ingredients with texture and fibrousness similar to meat. These solutions are utilized in several end products such as hamburgers, sausages, and other plant-based products in the traditional and alternative food industries, industrially and commercially complementary with Moolec’s Molecular Farming pipeline.
Henk Hoogenkamp, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Moolec, declared, “We believe plant-based technologies and Molecular Farming taken together have the power to contribute towards global food security. Moolec is developing the plant-proteins of the future by using highly efficient high-protein crops, in this case soybeans, to produce a wide variety of proteins naturally found in animals. Combining these crops with ValoraSoy’s capabilities, we can accelerate our technology rollout but also specifically target certain solutions by incorporating real-time feedback from existing customers around the globe. Leveraging this position, we can consolidate our Molecular Farming platform and lower the cost of protein-rich foods as we drive functionality, nutrition, and affordability for the up-and-coming economies of the world,” he finished.
The transaction contemplates acquiring 100% of ValoraSoy in exchange for $6 million, of which ~$2.5 million is paid in cash, and the rest is paid with Moolec’s shares in three years based on vesting and business metrics. Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, the Company will retain a portion of the purchase price for a period of 12 months after signing of the transaction documents. The payment in shares is subject to vesting and the achievement of business milestones over a period of three years.
Moolec will give a Business Update in Mid-May to review the overall progress of the Company and the most recent events. For more information on ValoraSoy, click here. https://pr.report/vDljhCca
About Moolec Science SA
Moolec is a science-based food ingredient company focused on producing animal proteins in plants through Molecular Farming, a disruptive technology in the alternative protein landscape. Its purpose is to upgrade the taste, nutrition, and affordability of alternative protein products while building a more sustainable and equitable food system. The Company’s technological approach aims to have the cost structure of plant-based solutions with the organoleptic properties and functionality of animal-based ones. Moolec’s technology has been under development for more than a decade and is known for pioneering the production of a bovine protein in a crop for the food industry. The Company’s product portfolio and pipeline leverages the agronomic efficiency of broadly used target crops, like safflower, soybean, and pea. Moolec has a growing international patent portfolio (23, both granted and pending) for its Molecular Farming technology. The Company is run by a diverse team of Ph.Ds and Food Insiders, and operates in the United States, Europe, and South America. For more information, visit www.moolecscience.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements with respect to performance, prospects, revenues, and other aspects of the business of Moolec Science S.A. (“Moolec”) are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors, about which we cannot be certain. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, including, among others, changes in applicable laws or regulations, the possibility that Moolec may be adversely affected by economic, business and/or other competitive factors, costs related to the scaling up of Moolec’s business and other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the header “Risk Factors” in the Form F-1 Registration Statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as Moolec’s other filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.
Contact Information
Catalina Jones
Chief of Staff & Sustainability
comms@moolecscience.com
Martin Taraciuk
Investor Relations
ir@moolecscience.com
Michael Bowen
ICR, LLC
moolecir@icrinc.com
Related Files
https://cdn.newswire.com/files/x/2e/4f/a161cc02bf67fbb809ea3bc328f3.pdf
Apr 6, 2023 | Business
Moolec Science SA (NASDAQ:MLEC) (“Company” or “Moolec”), a Molecular Farming food-ingredient company, announced today that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) has concluded that Moolec’s GLA safflower plants pose no greater plant pest risk than non-genetically engineered safflower plants according to regulation found at 7 CFR part 340. To access the Regulatory Status Review (“RSR”) response from USDA-APHIS, click here. https://pr.report/piWafISN
Moolec’s CEO and co-founder Gaston Paladini stated, “This important milestone reinforces our go-to-market path and validates our proposed regulatory strategy. Also, it complements the FDA’s food safety reviews and approvals already obtained for our GLA safflower oil (GLASO).” He finished by declaring, “The green light from USDA-APHIS bolsters the idea of the safe use of Molecular Farming technology to improve nutritional profile for end food products. Moolec is very excited that its innovative food ingredients are a key part of the bioeconomy.”
Martin Salinas, Chief of Technology and co-founder of Moolec, expressed, “This will greatly increase the efficiency of our operations, including raw material procurement, downstream crushing, and processing. We will no longer need USDA-APHIS permits to import, move interstate or grow these plants in the field in the United States.” He concluded, “We are positive that this achievement paves the way for our upcoming regulatory reviews in our pipeline.”
According to USDA-APHIS regulation found at 7 CFR part 340, developers may submit a request for a RSR when they believe a genetically engineered (“GE”) plant is not subject to the regulation. APHIS reviews the GE plant and considers whether it might pose an increased plant pest risk compared to its non-GE comparator. If APHIS does not identify a greater pest risk relative to the comparator, the GE plant is not subject to this regulation. Regulation 7 CFR part 340 governs the importation, interstate movement, and the environmental release of certain organisms that have been modified or produced by genetic engineering.
About Moolec Science SA
Moolec is a science-based food ingredient company focused on producing animal proteins in plants through Molecular Farming, a disruptive technology in the alternative protein landscape. Its purpose is to upgrade taste, nutrition, and affordability of alternative protein products while building a more sustainable and equitable food system. The Company’s technological approach aims to have the cost structure of plant-based solutions with the organoleptic properties and functionality of animal-based ones. Moolec’s technology has been under development for more than a decade and is known for pioneering the production of a bovine protein in a crop for the food industry. The Company’s product portfolio and pipeline leverage the agronomic efficiency of broadly used target crops, like safflower, soybean, and pea. Moolec has a growing international patent portfolio (23, both granted and pending) for its Molecular Farming technology. The Company is run by a diverse team of Ph.Ds and Food Insiders, and operates in the United States, Europe, and South America. For more information, visit www.moolecscience.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements with respect to performance, prospects, revenues, and other aspects of the business of Moolec Science S.A. (“Moolec”) are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors, about which we cannot be certain. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results, including, among others, changes in applicable laws or regulations, the possibility that Moolec may be adversely affected by economic, business and/or other competitive factors, costs related to the scaling up of Moolec’s business and other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the header “Risk Factors” in the Form F-1 Registration Statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as Moolec’s other filings with the SEC. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Accordingly, you should not put undue reliance on these statements.
Contact Information
Catalina Jones
Chief of Staff & Sustainability
comms@moolecscience.com
Martin Taraciuk
Investor Relations
ir@moolecscience.com
Michael Bowen
ICR, LLC
moolecir@icrinc.com
Related Files
Moolec Science Achieves USDA-APHIS Regulatory Status Review Clearance for Molecular Farming Product
https://cdn.newswire.com/files/x/03/7c/bcbadb44190484d6da7107cf3b7c.pdf
