AGC Inc. and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC) have agreed to begin a study regarding the production and sale of methanol made from CO2 generated from AGC’s architectural glass production, by applying the methanol production technology developed by MGC. This study targets commercialization by around 2030 at AGC‘s Kashima Plant, Japan, and when achieved, it will be the world’s first case of producing and selling “Circular Carbon Methanol” (CCM – methanol made from captured CO2, hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources, or gasified recycled materials, as part of MGC’s CCM concept) that effectively utilizes the CO2 generated from glass production.
In recent years, CCU (Carbon dioxide Capture and Utilization) technology, which captures and utilizes CO2, has been attracting attention as an innovative technology for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Methanol also has a wide range of applications as an essential chemical, and in recent years, its use for conversion to ethylene and propylene has been expanding. As such, it is expected that its utilization will widen the possibility towards carbon neutrality.
The goal of this study is to convert the CO2 into methanol, which will then be produced and sold. In addition to this study, AGC is also considering replacing methane gas used as a raw material in its own chemical business with CCM, with a view to commercializing chemical products based on carbon recycling.