April 20, 2023

Diverse Resources saving/ Resources circulation

Decision to Invest in Commercial Production Facilities for Recycling of Used Plastics into Oil – Establishment of a joint venture company, Chemical Recycle Japan Co., Ltd. with Environment Energy Co., Ltd. –

ケミカルリサイクル

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shunichi Kito; hereinafter "Idemitsu Kosan") has decided to invest in commercial production facilities (used plastic processing capacity: 20,000 tons/year) for recycling of used plastics into oil in the area adjacent to Idemitsu Kosan's Chiba Complex (Location: Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture; General Manager: Hiroshi Akiya). Commercial operation is scheduled to begin in FY2025.
In addition, in April 2023, Idemitsu Kosan will establish a joint venture, Chemical Recycle Japan Co., Ltd. to produce generated oil from used plastics with Environment Energy Co., Ltd. (Head office: Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director: Shuji Noda) that has been working together to establish the technology of converting equipment into oil.
Through this project, we will work toward achieving a carbon neutral and recycling-oriented society by 2050.

Recycling chain for the project

Recycling chain for the project

Recycling chain for the project

Recycling chain for the project

Recycling chain for the project

Recycling chain for the project

Recent years, the importance and social need for the further promotion of the resource circulation of plastics are growing, as evidenced by the enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics as well as the promotion of efforts to address issues such as marine plastic waste, climate change and the tightening of waste import regulations in other countries.
In Japan, only about 20% of the approximately 8.2 million tons/year of used plastics is used for recycled products. Since more than 50% of used plastics is difficult to recycle, it is incinerated as thermal recycling, which produces a high level of CO₂ emissions. As one solution to this problem, innovative chemical recycling technologies are being called for.

In this project, the newly established Chemical Recycle Japan Co. Ltd. will use its unique technology to convert  used plastics into oil to produce generated oil as a raw material in place of crude oil, then the generated oil will be refined, cracked, and polymerized in our existing refining equipment and petrochemical equipment to produce "renewable chemicals". Ultimately, these renewable chemicals will be used as raw materials to produce new plastic products at plastic product manufacturers and other companies.

The objective of this project is to contribute to the realization of a recycling-oriented society and reduction of CO₂ emissions by reusing plastics that have previously been incinerated as garbage as a valuable resource. We believe that this project is one that we should take responsibility for, as we have long handled fossil fuels and are deeply involved in the production of plastics derived from fossil resources, and one in which we can take advantage of our unique strengths as a company that has developed both refining and petrochemical businesses.
After establishing this business model in the Chiba Complex area, we will install converting equipment into oil at our group refineries and complexes nationwide, and promote the development of a larger-scale business targeting used plastics throughout Japan.

当社は2050年カーボンニュートラル社会の実現に向け、2030年ビジョン「責任ある変革者」、2050年ビジョン「変革をカタチに」を掲げています。昨年11月に発表した中期経営計画(対象年度:2023~2025年度) では、下記の「3つの事業領域」の社会実装を通して「人々の暮らしを支える責任」と「未来の地球環境を守る責任」を果たしていくことを表明しました。

 

This project is positioned as an important initiative for social implementation of " Diverse resource conservation / circulation solutions" among the three business areas.

■Overview of the new Company

  • Company name: Chemical Recycle Japan Co., Ltd.

  • Representative: Masahiko Okamura (Seconded from Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.)

  • Head office: 6F, RBM Tsukiji Square, 1-18-8 Shintomi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

  • Plant: Area adjacent to Chiba Complex, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.

  • Used plastics processing capacity: 20,000 t/year

  • Start of production: FY2025

■Role of each company

  • Chemical Recycle Japan Co., Ltd.: Construction of converting equipment into oil, production and sales of generated oil

  • Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.: Procurement of generated oil, production and sales of renewable chemicals and petroleum

  • Terrarem Group Co., Ltd., Maeda Industry Corporation: Collectionof used plastics

※ Company name changed from Ichikawa Kankyo Holdings, Co., Ltd.

■Reference

Regarding news release
 contact information

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. Public Relations Department, Public Relations Division

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