Joint Study by Idemitsu Kosan and J-Oil Mills on the Establishment of a Biomass Business -Circular economy to be realized through co-creation using oil as a link-

As a specific measure to reduce CO₂ emissions in the aviation industry, there is a growing social demand to achieve a stable supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF has the multiple technological processes and raw materials which are derived from non-fossil fuel but one of the challenges is to secure raw materials that are less competitive with food crops.

In addition, in recent years, the importance of promoting the recycling of plastic resources has been increasing in response to the ocean plastic waste problem and climate change, and efforts to reduce plastic usage and waste in the food industry are accelerating.

Through this agreement, both companies will consider the establishment of a biomass business by utilizing their respective businesses, assets, and knowledge. The business includes SAF production and the establishment of supply chain through the sustainable afforestation of non-edible oilseed rape trees that do not compete with food and the securing of plant materials by utilizing oil extraction know-how of J-Oil Mills, as well as the expansion of CO₂ fixation relating to the afforestation and the use of recycled used plastics and biochemicals made from bionaphtha as packaging materials.

Schematic illustration of a biomass business for the realization of a circular economy
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Idemitsu is working to implement diverse and environmentally friendly low-carbon energy, resource-saving, and circulation solutions in society while fulfilling its responsibility to provide a stable supply of energy, mainly fossil fuels including petroleum, under its 2030 Vision "Your Reliable Partner for a Brighter Future" and 2050 Vision "Shape the Change". As part of this plan, Idemitsu plans to establish a green supply chain for biomass-derived fuels and chemicals, such as SAF, biodiesel, and bio-chemicals, by 2030.

J-Oil Mills is developing a wide range of businesses centered on edible oil and fat products, aiming to realize good taste, health, and low burden by extracting value from plant-derived raw materials, in order to achieve its medium-term business plan "Transforming for Growth" until FY2026 under the vision "Joy for Life®︎- Bringing joy to the future by food -". J-Oil Mills has also positioned reducing environmental burden as one of our materiality, and have set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by reducing CO₂ emissions by 50% compared to FY2013 by FY2030 (Scope 1 and 2) and to zero emissions by FY2050.^​​

The two companies aim to quickly realize a biomass business through co-creation using oil, which is indispensable for daily life, as a link, and contribute to the realization of a circular economy.