Digester Gas Conversion: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Unveils Bio-Methanol Project in Japan

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC; headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masashi Fujii) has announced the commencement of bio-methanol production at a newly completed facility located within its Niigata Plant. This marks MGC as the first producer of bio-methanol from digester gas in Japan. To celebrate this milestone, MGC held an unveiling ceremony today, attended by Niigata Prefecture Governor Hideyo Hanazumi and other distinguished guests.

Last year, MGC concluded a key agreement with Niigata Prefecture to acquire and distribute digester gas from the Niigogawa Sewage Treatment Center, which is under prefectural ownership. To efficiently utilize the surplus digester gas from the center, MGC installed shipping facilities at the center and receiving facilities at its Niigata Plant. This setup enabled MGC to commence bio-methanol production using the plant’s existing infrastructure.

In Niigata, MGC has achieved International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS for its production of bio-methanol and its derivative, dimethyl ether (DME). This certification ensures the sustainability of raw materials across global supply chains. Concurrently, Niigata Prefecture has also obtained ISCC PLUS certification for the digester gas sourced from the Niigogawa Sewage Treatment Center. Consequently, MGC will market bio-methanol produced from ISCC PLUS-certified digester gas as an ISCC PLUS-certified product.

Bio-methanol is poised to serve critical functions as a carbon-neutral fuel and a sustainable source for chemical production. This initiative aligns with Niigata Prefecture's strategy to decarbonize, utilizing local biomass in line with its vision for developing carbon-neutral industries. The prefecture's goal is to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Moving ahead, MGC remains committed to advancing decarbonization and environmental recycling initiatives through Carbopath™, in alignment with the MGC group's mission of "Creating value to share with society."

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) is a leading chemical manufacturer in Japan committed to creating societal value and meeting stakeholder expectations. The company produces a diverse range of products essential for everyday life, spanning natural gas and basic chemicals, as well as sophisticated fine chemicals and functional materials that require advanced technological expertise. Leveraging proprietary technologies, MGC innovates new materials and develops valuable products essential to society. The company operates in two primary sectors: Basic Chemicals and Specialty Chemicals, each offering a variety of unique products. Within the Basic Chemicals Business Sector, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) primarily manufactures a range of key products including methanol, MXDA, aromatic aldehydes, methylamine and ammonia derivatives, MMA derivatives, xylene separation products and derivatives, formalin and polyol derivatives, geothermal power generation, and health food ingredients. Within the Specialty Chemicals Business Sector, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) specializes in manufacturing a diverse range of essential products. These include hydrogen peroxide, cleaning agents for the electronics industry, Iupilon™ polycarbonate, Iupital™ polyacetal, Reny™ high-performance polyamide, Iupizeta™ optical polymer, monomers for high refractive index plastic lenses, laminated materials for printed circuit boards (BT materials), LE Sheet™, and AGELESS™ oxygen absorbers.