VINACHEM

Mitsui Chemicals is looking at commercializing its bio-polypropylene (PP) project based on a new technology by 2024 at the earliest, the Japanese producer said on Thursday.

“The new production method being attempted for commercialization sees various biomass mainly nonedible plants are fermented to produce isopropanol (IPA), which is then dehydrated to obtain propylene in a first-of-its-kind IPA method,” the company said in a statement.

“Compared to other biomass production approaches studied by other companies thus far, this one could prove to be a more cost-effective way to manufacture bio-PP,” it said.

Currently, PP production from biomass has not been established at industrial levels due to technical difficulties, it said.

Mitsui has partnered with Kaisei Inc on the three-year bio-PP project, which started in the fiscal year 2019.

Kaisei will cultivate biomass raw materials for the project, collect wastes generated from biomass raw materials and supply electricity to manufacturing facilities and also manufacture fertilizers.

"By collaborating with Kaisei Inc, Mitsui Chemicals aims to contribute to society through environmentally friendly action with a circular model that leverages the supply chain," it said.

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has adopted the company’s bio-PP pilot project as part of overall efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).

“Hereafter, Mitsui Chemicals is conducting the world's first bio-PP industrialization demonstration test, and plans to conduct multifaceted evaluations of technologies, quality, economic efficiency, and environmental impact such as GHG reduction,” it said.

“Solving these issues, Mitsui Chemicals Group will consider commercialization of bio-PP (production will start in 2024 at the shortest),” the company said. - ICIS-