Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have decided to perform a joint study on feedstock and fuel conversion to advance carbon neutrality.

Specifically, the three companies will perform the feasibility study in their ethylene production facilities in Western Japan.

Ethylene production is the upstream starting point of the petrochemical industry. Accordingly, basic chemicals derived from ethylene become materials used in the manufacture of various products. Particularly, such as daily necessities, automobiles, and semiconductors.

For that reason, ethylene production serves as an important foundation that supports people’s lives. However, a large amount of petroleum-derived feedstock and fuel is necessary in the production process. Thus, reducing GHG emissions from ethylene production is a serious issue.

Hastens Transition to Carbon Neutrality

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have each adopted policies to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Hence, reducing GHG emission targets to effectively zero. Each is advancing measures to reduce energy consumption and apply technological development for low-carbon feedstock and fuel.

However, if initiatives taken individually would only limit the implementation and efficiency of GHG reduction. This makes it increasingly necessary for multiple petrochemical manufacturers located nearby to cooperate through mutual provision of technology and joint implementation of measures that contribute to carbon neutrality.

The joint feasibility study of the three companies will thus raise the speed and efficiency of the transition to carbon neutrality. Specifically, of the respective companies’ ethylene production.

Moving forward, the three companies will study concrete measures that contribute to the transition to carbon neutrality such as replacing petroleum-derived resources with biomass feedstock, conversion to low-carbon fuel, etc., while also studying optimal future production arrangements.

14 May 2024