Synthetic fuel

A liquid fuel produced by synthesizing CO₂ captured from the atmosphere and hydrogen produced using electricity derived from renewable energy sources. Although CO₂ is emitted when used as fuel, as it uses CO₂ itself as a raw material, it hardly increases the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere, making it a form of energy that contributes greatly to achieving carbon neutrality. It can be used without modifying the internal combustion engines of automobiles, ships, and aircraft, and for distribution, existing infrastructure for petroleum products such as storage tanks and pipelines can be utilized.

The European Union (EU) has changed its policy of banning the sale of new engine-powered cars by 2035, to only allowing cars with engines that use synthetic fuel produced from renewable energy. In Japan, the government has set a target of 100% of new passenger car sales being electric vehicles (EV/PHV/FCV/HV) by 2035, and the advancement of commercialization of synthetic fuels is being considered as a means of decarbonizing internal combustion engines, which will remain in use until that transition period and even beyond. The challenge when compared to petroleum products is their cost. In particular, a huge amount of renewable energy is required to produce hydrogen, which is the raw material. In Japan, where it is difficult to obtain cheap renewable energy compared to other countries, securing renewable energy for hydrogen production and the cost of doing so are issues.

Idemitsu Kosan aims to promote the early introduction and widespread use of synthetic fuel in Japan through collaboration with various companies both in Japan and overseas.
To handle synthetic fuel on a large scale, it is essential to utilize the technology and knowledge about liquid fuels and internal combustion engines that we have cultivated in our Petroleum business. In addition, we can utilize the existing facilities and networks at our manufacturing bases for transportation, storage, and supply.

We are working to build a supply system for e-methanol, a type of synthetic fuel. Not only can e-methanol be used as a marine fuel, but it can also be used as a raw material to produce jet fuel, gasoline, and chemical raw materials, contributing to the decarbonization of many sectors.
To achieve this, we are first working on procuring cheap synthetic fuel, especially e-methanol, from overseas countries that are rich in renewable energy.
We signed a MOU on a strategic partnership with HIF Global, which produces synthetic fuel (e-fuel) in South America, North America, Australia, etc., and then invested in HIF to build an e-methanol supply network. We are considering procuring synthetic fuel, especially e-methanol, from HIF's overseas projects from the second half of the 2020s, as well as international transportation and utilization (conversion to raw material) of CO2 captured domestically.
In addition, we have also agreed to collaborate with Saudi Arabian Oil Company and ENEOS Corporation on technical cooperation and to study the practical application and widespread use of this technology.
In addition to procuring from overseas, the company is also considering production in Hokkaido, with the aim of establishing an annual supply system for 280,000 tons of e-methanol by 2030.

^{*As of June 9, 2025}