Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets
- Resource conservation and recycling
As decarbonization accelerates, Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets were developed as an alternative to coal. We are promoting their widespread use in order to achieve both a stable supply of energy and the protection of the global environment.
Black pellet, also known as, "Idemitsu Green Energy Pellet" a heat-treated biomass such as wood and plants are an alternative material to coal that can be used in existing coal boilers without the need for facility modification. Although they emit CO₂ when burned, they are considered "carbon neutral" because raw materials of Idemitsu Green Energy Pellet (i.e. trees and plants) absorb CO₂ during their growth, resulting to the balance of the total CO₂ amount.
Environment surrounding coal
Coal has excellent combustion efficiency, and has been highly valued for its stable supply and economical aspects. Coal still supports our lives as a fuel for thermal power generation, but as the movement toward decarbonization accelerates, it is becoming difficult to continue relying on coal. While our mission is to provide a stable supply of energy, it is also our mission to protect the future global environment. Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets are positioned as a "realistic solution" that can fulfill the two missions in a well-balanced manner during the energy transition period.
Reasons and strengths for Idemitsu to take on the challenge
Idemitsu Kosan has the only private research institute specializing in coal, and has continued research aimed at realizing a coal business that is in harmony with the environment. What kind of materials and how should Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets be processed to maintain optimal combustion efficiency? Because Idemitsu knows everything about coal, we can come up with the optimal solution.
We have been operating coal mines mainly in Australia for about 40 years, delivering coal to customers through our own logistics network. We believe that utilizing the logistics network we have built up to date to provide Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets, which can be used by customers who purchase coal without having to modify their boilers, will lead to a low-carbon society throughout the entire supply chain, and we will continue to take on the challenge of making improvements and increasing production.
We have been operating coal mines mainly in Australia for about 40 years, delivering coal to customers through our own logistics network. We believe that utilizing the logistics network we have built up to date to provide Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets, which can be used by customers who purchase coal without having to modify their boilers, will lead to a low-carbon society throughout the entire supply chain, and we will continue to take on the challenge of making improvements and increasing production.
Next steps
We view Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets as the first step toward decarbonization. As Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets becomes more popular, we could expect greater CO₂ emissions’ reduction. Our first commercial plant in Vietnam (with an annual production capacity of 120,000 ton) commenced its commercial operation in October 2025. Going forward, we aim to supply 3 million tons per year of Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets by 2030s through expansion of our production and procurement bases in various regions and materials in the Pacific Rim. In addition, to promote successful penetration of Idemitsu Green Energy Pellets, we established a study group with over 40 domestic companies across industries to exchange information and make policy recommendations to the Japanese government.
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