Sanyo Chemical Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Econic Technologies Ltd, a UK-based deep-tech company focused on renewable carbon. Sanyo Chemical will assess Econic’s technology for producing CO2-based polyols for use in sustainable, high-performance polyurethanes.

By focusing on product development and leveraging Econic’s innovative CO2 utilization technology, the companies aim to defossilize the value chain and enhance carbon neutrality, a key focus area for Sanyo Chemical.

Carbon recycling is a key technology that effectively utilizes CO2 as a sustainable carbon source and is expected to be a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality.

Econic has proprietary technology that incorporates CO2 into the structure of polyols. By utilizing Econic's catalyst and process technology, Sanyo Chemical expects to produce polyols with a 30% reduction in carbon footprint.

Furthermore, Econic's CO2-based polyol technology can leverage existing manufacturing facilities to achieve cost reduction in the production process, enabling practical application without compromising performance and cost.

Polyols are one of two major raw materials for the production of polyurethane.

Sanyo Chemical will proceed with the assessment of Econic's technology for commercialization within the coming years. The company also plans to utilize this CO2-based polyol technology beyond polyurethane, using it as a starting point for new sustainable initiatives.