Chemical Decomposition of Waste Plastics using Catalyst and Manufacturing Olefin (ethylene, propylene, etc)

Members, their roles and points of this cooperation

・Muroran Institute of Technology develops high performance catalysts for the decomposition of plastic wastes.

・Sumitomo Chemical supports the R&D of Muroran Institute of Technology and develops process technologies to maximize the chemical decomposition efficiency of plastic wastes.

・Points： To establish chemical recycling technology at a level and scale that can be implemented in society quickly through the strengths of both parties.

Scheduled implementation time

・Undecided

Description of technology and business model

・Muroran Institute of Technology has developed plastic wastes decomposition technology, which is characterized by the use of a zeolite catalyst and high selectivity of decomposition products. Based on this technology, Muroran Institute of Technology will proceed research and development to further improve the performance of the catalyst for decomposition of plastic wastes.

・Sumitomo Chemical will support the research and development conducted by Muroran Institute of Technology by utilizing its core technologies, such as catalyst design and chemical process design, which it has cultivated over many years in the petrochemical field, and will be responsible for the development of process technologies to maximize the chemical decomposition efficiency of plastic wastes.

Achievements and goals

・Through the cooperation of both parties, we will establish a circular economy in which polyolefins are manufactured using plastic wastes as raw materials, thereby reducing the use of new fossil resources and contributing to the construction of sustainable society by reducing plastic wastes and greenhouse gas emissions generated during plastic waste incineration.

URL that introduce this initiative

・Sumitomo Chemical release：

https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/news/detail/20200304e.html