March 30, 2026 — 3DC Inc. (hereinafter “3DC” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has raised a total of JPY 370 million in its Series A second close and has received an investment from Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture; President and Representative Director: Hidetoshi Horiuchi; hereinafter “Toho Acetylene”) through a third-party allotment.
■Background of the Investment
This investment was realized with the aim of accelerating efforts toward the social implementation of new materials in the next-generation battery sector, building on the regional connection between both companies headquartered in Miyagi Prefecture.
3DC, a startup originating from Tohoku University, is headquartered in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is working toward the mass production of the next-generation carbon material “Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS),” invented at Tohoku University. The Company is engaged in creating new industries driven by advanced materials technology.
Meanwhile, Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture, has long supported the development of regional industries through its industrial gas business.
As companies based in the same region, both parties share a vision of creating new industrial value from the region to the global market. Through this investment, the two companies will explore opportunities for collaboration in material development and the advancement of manufacturing processes, while further accelerating efforts toward the social implementation of next-generation battery materials.
The funds raised will be used in line with the purposes outlined in the Series A first and second closes:
(i) construction of mass production facilities and capital investment through the expansion of the pilot plant in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture;
(ii) research and development of battery materials and data-driven applications;
(iii) strengthening of human resources and product supply systems, as well as deepening overseas partnerships.
Following the completion of the Series A financing, 3DC’s cumulative equity funding has reached JPY 2.84 billion, and cumulative grants total JPY 2.81 billion, bringing the combined total to JPY 5.65 billion.
Use of Funds
- Capital investment for the construction of mass production facilities
- Research and development to establish ton-scale mass production processes for GMS
- Strengthening of the global supply system for GMS, including materials for customer evaluation and commercialization
- Expansion of R&D personnel and deepening of overseas partnerships
■Comment from the Investor
Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd.
[Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer][Hidetoshi Horiuchi]
We have high expectations for 3DC’s Graphene MesoSponge® (GMS), an innovative material with the potential to significantly improve battery efficiency, extend lifespan, and enhance safety.
Our company has long contributed to regional communities through our industrial gas business. Industrial gases play an essential role in both material manufacturing and battery production processes, and are closely involved in improving manufacturing sophistication and product quality.
Through this investment, we aim to further strengthen our collaboration with 3DC, promote research and development, and actively expand our business into both existing and growth areas.
■Company Overview: Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd.
Company Name: Toho Acetylene Co., Ltd.
Representative: Hidetoshi Horiuchi
Established: March 1955
Head Office: 2-3-32 Sakae, Tagajo City, Miyagi, Japan
Business Description:
［High-Pressure Gas Business］ Dissolved acetylene, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and other gases
［Petroleum Gas Business］ Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and related equipment
［Industrial Equipment Business］Welding materials, welding and cutting equipment, cylinders
［Medical Business］ Medical gases, medical equipment, and medical gas piping construction
［Ice Machine Business］ Ice-making machines and various ice storage and transport systems
［Espuma Business］ Food-grade gases, beauty and salon gases, and espuma products
Website: https://www.toho-ace.co.jp/en/
■ About GMS
GMS is a "three-dimensional graphene" material with a sponge-like three-dimensional structure that is only one carbon atom thick. As an innovative material that combines multiple excellent properties such as flexibility, porosity, conductivity, and corrosion resistance, it is attracting global attention as a carbon material that can resolve the "trade-off problem where another property deteriorates when capacity is improved" in batteries.
■ 3DC company profile
Company Name: 3DC Inc.
Representatives: Takuma Kuroda and Hirotomo Nishihara
Established: February 2022
Headquarters: 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture (Advanced Material Research and Development Center for Industry-Academia Collaboration, Tohoku University)
Kawasaki Office: AIRBIC A38 & A4, 7-7 Shinkawasaki, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture (Shinkawasaki Sozo no Mori District)
Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of carbon materials
Website: https://www.3dc.co.jp/en
Contact Form: https://www.3dc3DC.co.jp/ja/contact
