Toray and PTT Global Chemical Agree to Explore Mass Production Technology to Build Supply Structure for Non-Edible Biomass-Derived Nylon

The two companies signed their agreement on DATE © Toray Industries

Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with major Thai petrochemicals producer PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (GC) to explore mass production technology for adipic acid made from non-edible biomass*¹.

Toray and GC will jointly evaluate the feasibility of mass production technology and commercialization in Thailand and Japan. If business is determined viable, they aim to commercially manufacture several thousand metric tons of bio-based muconic and bio-based adipic acid annually by 2030.

Last year, both companies began jointly developing technology to produce these raw materials for nylon-6,6 from non-edible biomass-derived sugars made at Cellulosic Biomass Technology Co., Ltd., a Thai company in which Toray has an 84% stake.

GC employs its proprietary fermentation technology to quickly convert non-edible sugars into high yields of muconic acid. Toray uses its hydrogenation process to produce high yields of high-purity bio-adipic acid from muconic acid. The resulting bio-based adipic acid can serve as a raw material for nylon-6,6 for resins and fibers similar to the petroleum-derived nylon-6,6. On top of that, the manufacturing process does not generate nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas by-product typically associated with chemical synthesis-based processes.

Toray and GC will build a supply chain to manufacture tens of thousands of metric tons of bio-based adipic acid from agricultural waste in Thailand, which is rich in natural resources. They will use this acid to make eco-friendly nylon-6,6, assisting efforts to create a circular economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry selected this study for its fiscal 2023 supplementary subsidy for the Global South Future-oriented Co-creation Project (Survey on the Promotion of Overseas Development of Infrastructure by Japanese Companies).

Toray is engaging in R&D, such as to develop technologies to switch to biomass-derived materials. It seeks to reach a 20% recycling rate for raw materials it uses in its core polymer offerings by 2030 and thereby help materialize a sustainable, circular economy in keeping with its commitment to delivering new value and contributing to social progress.

About the study

This study on building a biochemical product manufacturing supply chain from non-edible Biomass in Thailand is part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-creation Project (Survey on the Promotion of Overseas Development of Infrastructure by Japanese Companies).
https://www.meti.go.jp/information/publicoffer/saitaku/2024/s240628005.html
Period: August 2024 to February 2025
Chief operator: Toray Industries, Inc.
Joint demonstration operator: Cellulosic Biomass Technology Co., Ltd.

About PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited

Establishment: 2011
Business overview: PTT Global Chemical is committed to becoming a low-carbon entity with a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company has adopted a circular economy approach to advance sustainable product and technology innovation, balancing environmental, social, and governance considerations, including efficient waste management. This joint project focuses on producing muconic acid by converting agricultural waste into valuable products with advanced technology. PTT Global Chemical is also expanding its partnership network across the value chain, engaging with public, private, and community sectors to further align with sustainable market trends and significantly reduce its environmental impact.
Revenue: 621.6 billion baht in 2023.