What is the capacity and expected output of Idemitsu Kosan's first chemical recycling unit, and when is it scheduled to begin commercial operation?

Idemitsu Kosan's first chemical recycling unit, located in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, was completed in December 2025 and is scheduled to begin commercial operation in April 2026. It has an annual waste plastic processing capacity of 20,000 tons and is expected to produce approximately 14,000 tons of recycled oil per year.

What technology does Idemitsu Kosan use in its chemical recycling unit, and how does the company plan to utilize the resulting recycled oil?

The unit employs catalytic cracking technology, producing recycled oil equivalent to light oil—free of wax or heavy distillates—and Idemitsu Kosan plans to blend this recycled oil with conventional crude oil for processing through its existing refining and petrochemical facilities.

Idemitsu Kosan Starts Design of Second Chemical Recycling Unit

Jul 13, 2026

Idemitsu Kosan initiated basic design for its second chemical recycling unit, following the first facility scheduled for commercial operation in April 2026. The project targets scaling up waste plastic-to-oil technology and reducing costs to below twice that of virgin plastic.

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