Sekisui To Enter into Waste-Based Bioethanol Production

Japanese chemical giant Sekisui Chemical is planning to initiate research on the bioethanol output produced from waste by the end of FY22. The company set up the JV Sekisui Bio Refinery on 16th April with the state-owned tech investor Japan Investment Corporation (INCJ). The bioethanol production plant will be located in north Japan’s Iwate prefecture, and will initiate commercial operations by financial year 2025-26. The Sekisui and INCJ joint venture comprise 66% and 34% share respectively and uses the technology proposed by US recycling venture Lanza Techwill that turns flammable waste into bioethanol. The plant will have the capacity to convert 7300TPA of waste into 1200TPA bioethanol.