Japan's Mitsui Chemicals begins processing bio-based naphtha

Japanese petrochemical producer Mitsui Chemicals has announced that it has started processing 3,000 tonnes of bio-based naphtha at its Osaka ethylene cracker in the eastern Osaka region as part of its decarbonisation efforts
.

Mitsui Chemicals agreed in May to buy and receive about 10,000 tonnes of bio-based naphtha from Finnish biofuel producer Neste between October 2021 and March 2022
.
The company plans to combine bio-based naphtha with conventional naphtha to produce biopetrochemicals such as ethylene, propylene, benzene, polyolefins and phenol
.

Mitsui Chemicals also plans to establish a business with domestic firm Microwave Chemical to recycle mixed plastics into raw monomers, contributing to Japan's 2050 carbon neutrality goal
.

Peer producer Sumitomo Chemical has decided to invest 120 billion yen ($1.
1 billion) between now and fiscal year 2030 (April 2030-March 2031) as part of its overall decarbonization strategy, which includes plastics Material and chemical recycling
.
The company's goal is to recycle 200,000 tonnes of unused plastic produced in the production of its products annually by 2030-31
.