Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Progress Update on Carbon Neutrality Initiatives
August 6, 2021
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC; Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masashi Fujii) provides an update on progress towards its initiatives to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
(1) Ammonia as a next-generation energy source
We believe it is our duty to supply clean ammonia
as a CO2-free fuel. We are seeking stable overseas
supply sources in addition to PT Panca Amara Utama
(PAU), an indirect investee currently investigating
CCS (carbon capture and storage) in Indonesia. Having
established an Ammonia Fuels Business Strategy
Team within our Basic Chemicals Division, we will
accelerate the commercialization of ammonia fuels,
including through collaborations with other companies
in Japan and overseas, to start supply within Japan
as quickly as possible.
(2) Circular carbon methanol initiative (CCM)
As announced in a news release on March 30, 2021,
MGC is launching ‘Circular Carbon Methanol’ production.
As part of this initiative, we have started a proof of
concept for the production of methanol using CO2 as a
raw material at our methanol pilot facility (Niigata plant).
(3) Initiatives in the Niigata area
As announced in a press release on May 28, 2021, we
are studying effective CO2 utilization in collaboration with
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. We are also working
on promoting hydrogen utilization in Niigata Prefecture
by producing blue hydrogen from methanol using CCUS
(carbon capture, utilization and storage).
(4) Methanol as a hydrogen carrier and fuel
MGC offers a process that uses proprietary technology
to produce hydrogen from methanol. We have established
it as a well-regarded and decentralized way to produce
and supply hydrogen on site. When combined with our
CCM production process (See “2) Circular carbon methanol
initiative”), we believe it is a practical and effective
method of producing and supplying hydrogen to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve carbon
neutrality.
(5) Reduction of CO2
We aim to expand our renewable energy business. In
addition to the currently under-construction Appi Geo-
thermal Power Plant and an existing co-ownership stake
in the LNG-fired Fukushima Natural Gas Power Plant, the
output of which we are utilizing as low-GHG-intensity
transitional energy, we are proactively pursuing new
renewable energy projects, including geothermal and
biomass-fired power plants.
(6) Practical use of hydrogen as energy
This year, we will start trialing forklift trucks that utilize
hydrogen-fueled FCs (fuel cells) in our Niigata plant. The
hydrogen will be supplied from a small water electrolyzer,
and we are working towards a carbon-free system that
can be operated using renewable electricity.
(7) Internal initiatives
In accordance with MGC's Roadmap toward Its Ultimate
Goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2050 released on March 29,
2021
(https://www.mgc.co.jp/eng/corporate/pdf/cr_2021/MGC_CorporateReport2021_p45-50.pdf),
we are working towards the use of renewable energy
sources for our internal power needs. Additionally, in
April, we started to implement an internal carbon pricing
evaluate the CO2 emissions related to our investment
plans in monetary terms.
END
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