Synthesizing Methanol from Carbon Dioxide Efficiently to Promote Carbon Circulation

Members, their roles, and points of collaboration

・Shimane University carries out basic research into catalysts and reaction processes to increase reaction yield in the methanol synthesis using carbon dioxide as a raw material.

・Sumitomo Chemical commercializes the catalysts and processes based on the basic technologies described above.

・Points: To establish carbon recycling technology at a level and scale that are ready for social implementation through the strengths of both parties.

Scheduled implementation time

・Sumitomo Chemical aims to complete the demonstration of this technology by 2028

・Sumitomo Chemical aims to start commercial production by the new process and licensing the technology to other companies in the 2030s

Description of technology and business model

Methanol is an industrial alcohol that is widely used as a basic raw material for chemical products such as adhesives, drugs, paints, and synthetic resins, as well as for light olefins.

Methanol is currently produced from fossil resources through several processes under high temperatures and high pressures.

On the other hand, if methanol can be obtained from carbon dioxide generated from the incineration of wastes and syngas derived from used plastics and biomass resources, thereby creating a complete carbon cycle.

However, it is well known that low methanol yield and catalyst degradation caused by water vapor by-products of the reaction are problems to be solved for the practical use of methanol synthesis using carbon dioxide as a raw material.

In order to solve the above problem, Shimane University will develop basic technologies for catalysts and processes to synthesize methanol efficiently.

Sumitomo Chemical will work on industrial applications of the catalysts and processes developed in Shimane University's basic research, to establish a highly effective methanol production process by making the best use of the core technologies we have cultivated.

Achievements and goals

In 2020, Shimane University and Sumitomo Chemical announced the joint research

In 2022, this joint research was adopted by the Green Innovation Fund Project of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

In 2023, a pilot facility to establish a highly efficient process for producting methanol from carbon dioxide was constructed and came on stream at the Ehime Works of Sumitomo Chemical.

Through this cooperations, we will complete and implement a highly efficient methanol synthesis process, establish a carbon cycle that uses carbon dioxide and used plastics as resources, and contribute to the construction of a sustainable society.

5. URL that introduce this initiative

・Sumitomo Chemical release：

https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/news/detail/20200910e.html

https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/news/detail/20220218e_2.html

https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/news/detail/20231212e.html