Idemitsu (Japan): To Make Bioplastics From Non-food Crops

Idemitsu Kosan Co is accelerating its research into the production of bioplastics from non-food plants.

Idemitsu (Japan) has begun research on plants that can be used to make bioplastics for car interiors. It is searching among nonfood plants for suitable species and will use genetic engineering and other means to develop improved strains that are easy to culture and have high yields.

One key to success is an efficient means of converting plant cellulose into sugars, and Idemitsu aims to tackle this challenge with the proprietary catalyst technologies it now employs for oil refining and desulfurization.

Plans are to invest more than 0,7 million Euros a year in this broad field of research and to also seek government funding. Idemitsu has joined a project, overseen by the government-affiliated New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, that is studying ways of converting sugars into plastic raw materials like ethylene and propylene.

The firm’s goal is to be involved in all aspects of bioplastics, from cultivation of plants to production of the raw materials for plastics.

Source

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