Start of Assessment for the Commercialization of Ethylene, Propylene, Etc. Using Plant-derived Raw Materials

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho; Head office: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; President: Ichiro Kashitani) 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.

Both companies will investigate the market need for bioethylene, biopropylene, and their derivatives and conduct a concrete feasibility assessment with an aim to commercialize by 2025. In addition, MCC and Toyota Tsusho will quantify the GHG reduction over the entire life cycle of these products and promote efforts to reduce environmental burden. We will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society through dissemination of bioethylene, biopropylene, and their derivatives.