Sumitomo Chemical has officially commenced operations of its groundbreaking ethanol-to-propylene pilot facility at the Sodegaura site of its Chiba Works, marking a pivotal achievement in the petrochemical industry’s shift toward alternative, renewable feedstocks. The facility, completed as part of the NEDO Green Innovation Fund initiative, began operating this week after construction efforts that began in late 2023.
This proprietary process enables the direct, one-step conversion of ethanol into propylene, eschewing intermediates like ethylene that traditional methods require, offering notable benefits in terms of efficiency, cost, and compact plant design. An added advantage is the simultaneous generation of hydrogen as a by-product, particularly valuable when bio-derived ethanol is the feedstock.
Propylene is a fundamental chemical used across a wide array of products, from plastics to packaging materials, but is traditionally produced via naphtha or fossil-based routes. Ethanol, however, can be derived from a broad spectrum of sustainable sources, ranging from biomass like sugarcane and corn to combustible waste or even carbon dioxide, advancing ambitions toward a carbon-neutral circular economy.
With the pilot now operational, Sumitomo Chemical will collect the critical data necessary to scale the technology toward commercial deployment. The company also plans to produce polypropylene samples from pilot-generated propylene for customer evaluation. They are targeting full-scale commercialization and licensing of the process by the early 2030s.
This milestone aligns with Sumitomo Chemical’s broader green transformation strategy, bolstering efforts in licensing and catalyst development while laying the groundwork for GX (green transformation) business models beyond 2030. The initiative reflects a broader strategic pivot toward sustainable value chains, linking raw material suppliers, brand owners, and downstream customers in a system that monetizes CO₂ reductions.
In sum, Sumitomo Chemical’s ethanol-to-propylene pilot is more than a technical achievement, it represents a bold stride toward a more sustainable and circular petrochemical future.
