Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical enter agreement for ethylene production decarbonization
Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have signed an agreement to decarbonize ethylene production in western Japan. Supported by METI’s HtA program, they will form a joint operating entity, consolidate two ethylene facilities by 2030, and introduce Revolefin™ technology to produce decarbonized basic chemicals from bioethanol. Commercial production is targeted for 2034. This collaboration aims to overcome individual limits in GHG reduction and foster a sustainable, carbon-neutral petrochemical industry.
Asahi Kasei Corp., Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., and Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. have forged a basic agreement to jointly advance the decarbonization and production optimization of their ethylene facilities in western Japan. This initiative stems from the recognized limitations individual companies face in achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions and carbon neutrality, necessitating collaborative efforts within the petrochemical industry. The project has secured support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Fiscal 2025 Support Program for Energy and Manufacturing Process Conversion in Hard-to-Abate Industries” (HtA Support Program).The core strategy involves establishing a new joint operating entity for their two ethylene production facilities. By fiscal 2030, operations at the Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Ethylene Corp. (AMEC) facility at Mizushima Plant will cease, with production consolidated at the Osaka Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. (OPC) facility in Takaishi, Osaka. A significant technological component includes installing an initial facility at Asahi Kasei's Mizushima Works to produce decarbonized basic chemicals from bioethanol, leveraging the Revolefin™ technology. The three companies aim to commence joint commercial production of these chemicals by fiscal 2034. Post-discontinuation, the AMEC Mizushima Plant site will be examined for future uses that contribute to carbon neutrality. This alliance is designed to accelerate the development of competitive decarbonized basic chemicals, expand carbon-neutral markets across their respective business fields, and build sustainable business models through transparent management and equitable sharing of costs and benefits.
