December 1, 2023
Energy one step ahead
Joint Study on e-methanol Started with HIF
Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shunichi Kito; hereinafter referred to as "Idemitsu") has agreed with HIF USA, a subsidiary of HIF Global, which manufactures e-fuels in South America, North America, Australia, and elsewhere, to jointly procure e-methanol from the HIF group and to study the development of an e-methanol business.
e-methanol is produced by synthesizing CO₂ recovered from the atmosphere and other sources with hydrogen derived from renewable energy. In addition to direct use as marine fuel, for which demand is expected to continue to grow, e-methanol can be used to selectively produce e-fuels such as synthetic gasoline, synthetic SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), synthetic diesel, and synthetic chemicals. Unlike methanol, which is produced from fossil fuels, CO₂ itself is used as a raw material, making a significant contribution to low carbon emissions throughout the product life cycle, including the use of the final product.
HIF USAは米国テキサス州マタゴルダにおいて、年産140 万トン規模の合成メタノール製造施設の起ち上げに取り組んでいます。当社は本年3月にHIF Globalと合成燃料分野における戦略的パートナーシップに関するMOUを締結 し、同グループと合成燃料の早期社会実装に向けて各種検討を進めてきました。本合意はその進捗の一環であり、今回、同グループからの合成メタノールの調達および合成メタノールの事業開発に向けた検討に共同で取り組むことを合意しました。
Methanol is a liquid under normal temperature and pressure, and Idemitsu's existing facilities such as tanks and pipelines can be used for storage, transportation, and supply. Aiming to establish a supply chain for e-methanol, which has low environmental impact and high versatility, Idemitsu will accelerate studies on procurement of e-methanol from overseas where it can be produced using inexpensive renewable energy, development of demand for marine fuel applications and bunkering facilities, and production of e-fuels and synthetic chemicals in Japan.
Schematic Illustration of e-methanol Supply Chain
Schematic Illustration of e-methanol Supply Chain
Schematic Illustration of e-methanol Supply Chain
Photograph from a visit by members of HIF to Idemitsu
(From left to right: Hiroshi Tanaka, Manager of Carbon Neutral Transformation Department, Masahiko Sawa, Director, Cesar Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, Shunichi Kito, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Clara Bowman, COO of HIF Global, Susumu Nibuya, Representative Director, Ignacio Hernandez, CEO of HIF Asia Pacific)
Photograph from a visit by members of HIF to Idemitsu
(From left to right: Hiroshi Tanaka, Manager of Carbon Neutral Transformation Department, Masahiko Sawa, Director, Cesar Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, Shunichi Kito, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Clara Bowman, COO of HIF Global, Susumu Nibuya, Representative Director, Ignacio Hernandez, CEO of HIF Asia Pacific)
Photograph from a visit by members of HIF to Idemitsu
(From left to right: Hiroshi Tanaka, Manager of Carbon Neutral Transformation Department, Masahiko Sawa, Director, Cesar Norton, President and CEO of HIF Global, Shunichi Kito, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Clara Bowman, COO of HIF Global, Susumu Nibuya, Representative Director, Ignacio Hernandez, CEO of HIF Asia Pacific)
当社は2022年11月に発表した「中期経営計画（2023～2025年度） 」において、下記3つの事業領域の社会実装を通じ、事業ポートフォリオ転換を推進することを表明しました。
■About HIF
HIF Global is the world's leading eFuels company, developing projects to convert hydrogen using low cost renewable power into carbon neutral liquid eFuels that can be transported and utilized in existing infrastructure. The name HIF represents the mission of the company: to provide Highly Innovative Fuels to make decarbonization of the planet possible. HIF Latam, HIF USA, HIF Asia Pacific, and HIF EMEA are wholly owned subsidiaries of HIF Global. HIF Global is already producing eFuels in its Haru Oni eFuels Facility in Magallanes, Chile and intends to begin construction of the commercial scale HIF Matagorda eFuels Facility in Texas in 2024. HIF Global's first Australian development, in Tasmania, was announced in July 2022. For more information, visit www.hifglobal.com
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Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. Public Relations Department, Public Relations Division