BASF Japan and Mitsui Chemicals launched a collaboration to ascertain the feasibility of various business models to commercialise chemical recycling in Japan. Under the partnership, BASF will provide its extensive experience and expertise from its ChemCyclingTM project. The German chemical maker has cooperated with many partners to use innovative technologies to convert post-consumer plastic waste into pyrolysis oil that can be used as a renewable feedstock to produce chemicals. Chemicals produced from the renewable feedstock can be then used to produce new materials such as plastics.
Chemical recycling provides a solution to process plastic waste that cannot be recycled mechanically. BASF is promoting the implementation of chemical recycling at its Verbund sites in Europe. The company has accumulated knowledge and technologies on chemical recycling and plans to increase its recycled feedstock production to 250,000 tons/year by 2025.
Meanwhile, Mitsui Chemicals will use its advanced manufacturing facilities, technologies, and knowledge to develop recycling technologies and expand its biomass production. Mitsui aims to become a carbon-neutral company by 2050. As part of their cooperation, the two companies also want to speed up discussions with related ministries, agencies, and industry groups to implement chemical recycling and promote the use of recycled materials in Japan.
