Mitsubishi Corporation Advances Sustainable MMA Production Plan

Having developed a technology for the production of plant-based methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers, two Mitsubishi companies, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylate Corporation (MCM), are now working on Move to the next stage
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The two companies have announced plans to design and build a pilot plant to further validate the technology
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Three possible routes to create sustainable MMA are explored, including molecular recycling of acrylic resins; replacement of traditional materials with plant feedstocks in existing MMA monomer manufacturing processes; and direct production of MMA monomers from plant feedstocks through fermentation
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Now the two companies have decided to start designing a new pilot plant using the technology
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According to MCC and MCM, applying plant-derived feedstocks to existing processes will enable the production of MMA on a 100% biosourced carbon basis
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The pilot plant is scheduled to be operational in fiscal 2023
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After proving the feasibility of the new technology, commercial operation will be implemented in 2026
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The two companies are also working to develop new catalysts and processes to increase the yield and efficiency of their existing MMA monomer manufacturing technologies, and to reduce the environmental impact of these processes by reducing energy consumption and emissions in the manufacturing process
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MMA is the raw material for acrylic resins used in automotive lamp shades, signboards, aquariums, paints, building materials and many other items
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The global demand for MMA has exceeded 3.
6 million tons, and the level of growth in demand is expected to be equal to the level of GDP growth in each country
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As the world's top MMA manufacturer and a global leader in the MMA and acrylic resin industry, the two companies will actively pursue" the potential of this business, working with stakeholders around the world to reduce the environmental burden across the supply chain and seek to Actively leading efforts to achieve a circular economy," the companies announced in a statement announcing the plans
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As the world's top MMA manufacturer and a global leader in the MMA and acrylic resin industry, the companies announced in a statement announcing their plans: "The company will actively explore the potential of this business, working with stakeholders around the world to reduce the overall supply reduce the environmental burden of the chain and seek to actively lead efforts to achieve a circular economy
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