Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
Started joint study on synthetic methanol (e-methanol) with HIF ……
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Shunichi Kifuji, hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) is a subsidiary of HIF Global, which manufactures synthetic fuel (e-fuel) in South America, North America, Australia, etc. We have agreed to work jointly with HIF USA to procure synthetic methanol (e-methanol) from the same group and consider developing a synthetic methanol business.
Synthetic methanol (e-methanol) is produced by synthesizing CO2 recovered from the atmosphere and hydrogen derived from renewable energy. In addition to being able to be used directly as a marine fuel, whose demand is expected to continue to grow, synthetic methanol can also be used to produce synthetic fuels such as synthetic gasoline, synthetic SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), and synthetic diesel. It is possible to selectively manufacture fuel) and synthetic chemicals. Unlike methanol, which is produced from fossil fuels, it uses CO2 itself as a raw material, so it greatly contributes to lower carbon emissions throughout the product lifecycle, including the use of the final product.
HIF USA is working to start up a synthetic methanol manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 1.4 million tons in Matagorda, Texas, USA. In March of this year, we entered into an MOU with HIF Global regarding a strategic partnership in the field of synthetic fuels (https://www.idemitsu.com/jp/news/2023/230405.html
implementation. This agreement is part of that progress, and we have now agreed to jointly work on procuring synthetic methanol from the same group and considering business development for synthetic methanol.
Methanol is a liquid at room temperature and pressure, and our existing equipment such as tanks and pipelines can be used for storage, transportation, and supply. Aiming to build a supply chain for synthetic methanol that has low environmental impact and high versatility, we are procuring synthetic methanol from overseas where it can be manufactured using inexpensive renewable energy, and developing demand for use as marine fuel. We will accelerate the preparation of bunkering facilities and consider the domestic production of synthetic fuels and synthetic chemicals.
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Photos from HIF’s visit to our company
In the “Medium-term Management Plan (2023-2025)” announced in November 2022, our company announced that it will promote business portfolio transformation through social implementation of the following three business areas.
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This initiative is positioned as an initiative for the development and social implementation of “one step ahead energy” and “diverse resource saving/resource recycling solutions” out of three business areas aimed at realizing a carbon-neutral society in 2050. I am.
■About HIF
HIF Global is one of the world’s leading companies driving projects that convert hydrogen into liquid synthetic fuels that can be transported and used using existing infrastructure, based on low-cost renewable energy. The company name HIF represents the company’s philosophy of “providing Highly Innovative Fuels that enable the decarbonization of the planet,” and the company operates globally, including HIF Latam, HIF USA, HIF Asia Pacific, and HIF EMEA. I am. The company successfully produced its first synthetic fuel from its Haru Oni demonstration plant in Magallanes, Chile, in December 2022, and plans to begin construction of its commercial-scale HIF Matagorda plant in Texas in 2024. Additionally, HIF Global has announced that it will construct a plant in Tasmania, its first in Australia, in July 2022.
URL: https://hifglobal.com/