To promote carbon neutrality and lead the decarbonization of society, Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have decided to conduct a cooperative feasibility study on feedstock and fuel conversion, among other things, at the three companies’ ethylene manufacturing sites in western Japan. The petrochemical industry’s upstream begins with the manufacturing of ethylene. Ethylene is used to create basic chemicals that are then utilized to make materials for a variety of products, including electronics, cars, and everyday necessities. Therefore, the manufacturing of ethylene plays a crucial role in supporting people’s livelihoods. Nonetheless, the production process uses a lot of fuel and feedstock that comes from petroleum. Therefore, cutting the greenhouse gas emissions from the manufacture of ethylene is a major concern.
Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have all adopted policies to become carbon-neutral by 2050 by reducing GHG emission targets to effectively zero, and each is advancing measures to reduce energy consumption and apply technological development for low-carbon feedstock and fuel. These actions are taken in order to meet the 2050 carbon neutrality target set forth by the Japanese government.
However, the efficiency and speed of GHG reduction are constrained if actions are undertaken by each company independently. Due to this, it is becoming more and more important for neighboring petrochemical producers to collaborate with one another by exchanging technologies and putting together policies that help achieve carbon neutrality.
The joint feasibility study is anticipated to accelerate and improve the efficiency of the transition to carbon neutrality of the companies’ ethylene production facilities and each company’s petrochemical products by facilitating coordination amongst the three companies with sites in western Japan across different districts.
In the future, the three firms will research specific steps that help make the shift to carbon neutrality, such switching to low-carbon fuel or replacing petroleum-derived resources with biomass feedstock. They will also research the best possible arrangements for production going ahead.
Remarks from every business:
As part of our Group Mission to contribute to life and living for people worldwide, the Asahi Kasei Group is addressing climate change from two angles: by lowering our own greenhouse gas emissions and by offering goods and technologies that support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across society. By developing numerous initiatives in a wide variety of domains from upstream to downstream in the value chain, such as raw materials, industrial methods, energy, product consumption, and product recovery, we hope to realize a carbon-neutral sustainable future.
Toshiyasu Horie
representative director, primary executive officer
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Mitsui Chemicals announced in November 2020 that it would achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2050. Our efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and a circular economy are focused on two key areas: minimizing the avoidable greenhouse gas emissions of our products over their whole life cycle and lowering our own GHG emissions (Scopes 1 and 2). We will transform the world, beginning with the materials of materials, in order to do this, working with our customers, consumers, and business partners.
Tadashi Yoshino
representative director, senior managing executive officer, board member, and chief technology officer
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s purpose, “We lead with innovative solutions to achieve KAITEKI, the well-being of people and the planet,” recognizes sustainability as a fundamental component of how it manages its corporate activities. We will significantly contribute to the Japanese chemical industry’s circular economy and carbon neutrality through this collaboration.
Yasuo Shimodaira
corporate executive officer in representational capacity
vice president in charge
Mitsubishi Chemical Company
