Asahi Kasei, Mitsui, Mitsubishi Chemical Collaborate on Decarbonized Ethylene

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Monday, 2 February 2026

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have formed an alliance to decarbonize ethylene production in western Japan. Through a basic agreement and METI's HtA Support Program, they plan to establish a new joint operating entity, consolidate operations at the Osaka Petrochemical Industries Ltd (OPC) facility by 2030, and discontinue Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Ethylene Corp. (AMEC) Mizushima operations. Utilizing Asahi Kasei's Revolefin™ technology for bioethanol-derived chemicals, they aim for joint commercial production by fiscal 2034, driving carbon neutrality and production optimization.

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have entered into a foundational agreement to spearhead the decarbonisation of ethylene production across western Japan. This collaborative effort, supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's (METI) 'Fiscal 2025 Support Program for Energy and Manufacturing Process Conversion in Hard-to-Abate Industries' (HtA Support Program), outlines significant strategic shifts. A core component involves establishing a new joint operating entity to manage existing facilities, with a decisive move to consolidate ethylene production by fiscal 2030 at the Osaka Petrochemical Industries Ltd (OPC) facility in Takaishi, Osaka. Concurrently, operations at the Asahi Kasei Mitsubishi Chemical Ethylene Corp. (AMEC) Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, will be discontinued.Technologically, the initiative will leverage Asahi Kasei's developing Revolefin™ technology. An initial facility at Asahi Kasei's Mizushima Works is planned to produce decarbonised basic chemicals like ethylene and propylene from bioethanol. Following successful performance verification, the three companies aim to commence joint commercial production of these bio-derived chemicals by fiscal 2034. Furthermore, the plan includes equipment modifications at both the AMEC Mizushima site, prior to its prompt dismantling, and the OPC Senboku Factory, which will become the consolidated production hub. The vacated Mizushima site will then be jointly evaluated for future carbon neutrality-aligned uses. This alliance seeks to deepen collaboration, foster transparent management, and accelerate the transition to competitive decarbonised basic chemicals, thereby expanding carbon-neutral markets and building sustainable business models in the region.