21. Mar 2022
Plans for plant-derived ethylene & propylene
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Nagoya, Japan) have begun a joint-consideration to manufacture and sale ethylene, propylene, and their derivatives using bioethanol as a raw material, with an aim to commence operation in 2025.
There is a growing need for plastic reuse and recycling to achieve the realization of a sustainable recycling-oriented society. There are also strong expectations for realizing a sustainable life cycle by using plant-derived materials.
MCC and Toyota Tsusho are working on the commercialization of various recycling processes and aim to realize a recycling-oriented society by switching from raw materials derived from fossil fuels to plant-derived materials.
In order to make a wide range of products more sustainable, including products which are generally difficult to collect and recycle among packaging/containers and sanitary goods, both companies have decided to examine how to commercialize the manufacture and sale of ethylene, propylene, and their derivatives made from plant-derived raw materials.
MCC and Toyota Tsusho will evaluate the manufacture of 100 % plant-derived ethylene (bioethylene) and its derivatives using bioethanol as a raw material, and the manufacture and sale of the first plant-derived propylene in Japan (biopropylene) and its derivatives using bioethylene as its raw material.