Initiation of “Technology Development for Para-xylene Production from CO₂”

We, University of Toyama, Chiyoda Corporation, Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation, HighChem Company Limited, and Mitsubishi Corporation (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Group”) are pleased to announce that the Group has jointly applied for and been selected by NEDO*1 for “Development of Technologies for Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation / Development of Technologies for CO₂ Reduction and Utilization / Development of Technologies for CO₂ Utilization for Chemicals”.

1. Summary

In order to cope with global climate change, it is necessary to address the issue of CO₂ emissions from factories, power plants, and various emission sources while pursuing all possible technological options including carbon recycling technologies. “Roadmap for Carbon Recycling Technologies” formulated by METI*2 in June 2019 sets forth guidelines for utilization of carbon recycling technologies for separating and collecting CO₂ as resources and reusing it in the form of diverse carbon compounds for chemical materials or fuels.

Against this backdrop, NEDO has launched a development project for the world’s most advanced technology for industrial para-xylene*3 production from CO₂ to substitute existing fossil fuel-derived chemicals, and the Group has been selected as contractors for this commissioned project. Para-xylene is a particularly important basic compound in the production of PTA*4 which is a feedstock material for polyesters such as polyester fibers and plastic bottles. Due to its composition, it can be produced with a relatively small amount of hydrogen while fixing a large amount of CO₂, compared to other compounds from carbon recycling. This is a theme with great potential from both economic and environmental

Global demand for para-xylene is approximately 49 million tons per year. Assuming that the feedstock for para-xylene of the current demand level is entirely converted from fossil fuels to CO₂, theoretically 160 million tons of CO₂ could be fixed in the para-xylene per year.

In this project, the Group will improve the innovative catalyst for the production of para-xylene from CO₂, develop a way to mass-produce the catalyst, and develop the process while studying its feasibility including its overall economic efficiency and CO₂ reduction effect in order to pave the way to the demonstration stage.

2. Description of the Project

Project Name: Technology Development for Para-xylene Production from CO₂

Scope:

1. Improvement of performance of the catalyst and extension of its lifetime.
2. Development of a mass production method for the catalyst
3. Development of the process and design
4. Feasibility study including economic evaluation, amount of CO₂ reduction, and market research

Contractors:

University of Toyama (for Scope-1)
Chiyoda Corporation (for Scope-3)
Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd. (for Scope-3)
Nippon Steel Corporation (for Scope-1 and Scope-3)
HighChem Company Limited (for Scope-1 and Scope-2)
Mitsubishi Corporation (for Scope-4)

Duration: Fiscal year 2020 to 2023

Contract Price:  1.99 Billion JPY

Source: HighChem, press release, 2020-07-14.