Sumitomo Chemical has completed the construction of a pilot plant for producing methanol from CO2 at its Ehime Works in Niihama City, Japan.

The company has begun operations at the facility, which will use carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technolog . Sumitomo expects to start commercial production by 2028 and to license the technology to other companies in the coming decade.

This facility was built with the support of NEDO’s Green Innovation (GI) Fund. The company aims to complete the demonstration of this technology by 2028, as well as start commercial production using the new process and license the technology to other companies in the 2030s.

Sumitomo Chemical is working on six development themes that have been selected as GI Fund projects. They include four chemical recycling technology projects, a project for the development of a CO2 separation and capturing system using CO2 separation membranes, and a project for the development of a battery cathode materials recycling process.

The Group will strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and contribute to achieving a sustainable society by advancing research and development, demonstration, and implementation across society of innovative manufacturing processes.

Sumitomo Chemical has resolved these issues through joint development with Professor Koji Omata of Shimane University Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science and Engineering, leveraging the internal condensation reactor (ICR), a technology that Professor Omata has been developing.

The ICR enables the condensation and separation of methanol and water within the reactor, which is impossible with conventional technologies. This helps to improve yield, downsize equipment, and achieve higher energy efficiency, while it is also expected to prevent catalyst degradation.