Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and SEVEN-ELEVEN JAPAN CO., LTD. have launched a trial program to introduce B100, a 100% biodiesel fuel (BDF), in a delivery truck servicing 7-Eleven stores. The trial began on December 26, 2024, at the Frozen Kobe Center, a combined distribution hub for 7-Eleven stores located in Hyogo Prefecture. The BDF used in the trial is produced from refined plant-based used cooking oil, which is considered to have net-zero CO2 emissions during combustion, as CO2 is absorbed during the growth of the plants used for the oil. This fuel is expected to play a role in achieving carbon neutrality.

Compared to conventional diesel, B100 fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 2.62 kg per liter. The biodiesel will be refined from used cooking oil collected from approximately 1,500 7-Eleven stores in Osaka and Kyoto Prefectures. The fuel will then be used in a delivery truck operating at the Frozen Kobe Center (managed by Mitsui & Co. Retail Group, Ltd.), which services 7-Eleven stores in the Osaka region. Mitsui's subsidiary will oversee the procurement and supply of the B100 fuel.

The trial aims not only to reduce CO2 emissions but also to collect operational data, including fuel consumption, to evaluate the potential for expanding the use of biodiesel trucks and increasing their coverage area. Mitsui and Seven-Eleven believe that BDF represents a promising solution for reducing CO2 emissions from land transportation, with both companies committed to advancing an eco-friendly logistics network.

This new initiative builds on previous efforts by the two companies to mitigate environmental impact, including the introduction of hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks and electric vehicles. Mitsui and Seven-Eleven are working toward a carbon-neutral society through diverse projects that focus on sustainable logistics.

In terms of roles, Seven-Eleven is responsible for developing the system for using biodiesel in store deliveries. Mitsui & Co. contributes by creating a logistics infrastructure designed to minimize environmental impact and proposing methods for utilizing used cooking oil. Mitsui & Co. Energy handles the procurement and supply management of next-generation energy sources. Mitsui & Co. Retail Group provides store delivery services with biofuel vehicles and collects operational data, while Uedayushi is tasked with collecting used cooking oil from the service area and producing the biodiesel fuel. Through these coordinated efforts, Mitsui and Seven-Eleven aim to continue advancing their environmental sustainability goals.

Mitsui & Co. Retail Group, Ltd., established in April 2024, is headquartered at 1-1-1 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. With approximately 2,600 employees, the company engages in a wide range of activities, including the sales, import, and export of foods, alcoholic beverages, daily commodities, and containers and packaging materials. Additionally, it is involved in the manufacturing and processing of goods, as well as logistics operations, including distribution and storage.