BASF and Mitsui Chemicals initiate research to jointly promote chemical recycling

BASF Japan and Mitsui Chemicals have started a joint research to promote chemical recycling in Japan. Through cross-value chain cooperation, BASF and Mitsui Chemicals will evaluate the business model and various plans of the cooperation in order to realize the commercialization of chemical recycling in Japan and solve the local plastic waste recycling challenge.

Sustainability is at the core of BASF's business. In its ChemCycling™ project, BASF cooperates with technological partners using innovative processes to convert post-consumer plastic waste into pyrolysis oil, which can be used as a raw material for the production of chemicals. These chemicals are then used to produce new materials, such as plastics, without compromising quality even in the most demanding applications. The share of recycled materials is allocated to these products based on a third-party audited quality balance method. Chemical recycling is a complementary solution to mechanical recycling because it focuses on plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled due to technical, economic or ecological reasons. In Europe, commercial products produced by this method have already appeared on the market. Starting from 2025, the BASF Group’s goal is to process 250,000 tons of recycled raw materials annually to replace fossil raw materials.

"BASF is currently promoting ChemCycling mainly in its European Verbund site. The company can benefit from an integrated production network. BASF has accumulated chemical recycling technology and knowledge. We are very happy to cooperate with Mitsui Chemicals to jointly research and promote plastics in Japan. Circular economy," said Hiroki Ishida, representative director and president of BASF Japan.

Mitsui Chemicals' goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, thereby contributing to society. The company believes that climate change and plastic waste are key global challenges. To meet these challenges, Mitsui Chemicals aims to develop recycling technologies and expand its biomass product lineup. Akio Hirahara, CEO of Mitsui Chemicals, said: "Combining BASF's expertise in chemical recovery with our assets in Japan (such as our technology and ethylene cracker) will be an important contribution to the establishment of a circular economy in Japan. One step. Plastic is a major social issue in the country and requires social reforms across the entire value chain.

In recent years, the world has accelerated its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and the recycling of plastic resources. In Japan, plastic recycling is also becoming more and more important. In December 2020, the Japanese government formulated various measures, including "through a carbon-neutral green growth strategy" in order to achieve sustainable development goals by 2050. Chemical recycling is particularly attractive to people.

As part of the cooperation, BASF and Mitsui Chemicals also hope to speed up discussions with relevant departments, institutions and industry groups to implement chemical recycling in Japan and promote the effective and efficient use of recycled materials in the country.