A consortium comprising Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering Science, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, and Mitsui Chemicals Inc has announced the successful completion of demonstration tests to produce methanol and para-xylene using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a raw material. The tests were conducted as part of the “Research of Selective Synthesis Technology of Chemical Products for Carbon Recycling,” a project under Japan’s “Development of Technologies for Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation” initiative, led by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO).
NEDO emphasized the importance of the project in the global effort to combat climate change. “With the goal of achieving a carbon-neutral society by 2050, this project focuses on developing technologies to effectively utilize CO2 emissions from factories and other sources,” the organization stated. The recent tests involved producing para-xylene from methanol, which was itself synthesized using CO2 and hydrogen. These tests took place at NEDO’s research and development facility, the Demonstration Base for Carbon Recycling, located in Osaki-Kamijima, Hiroshima.
The consortium highlighted the significance of their breakthrough. “This project has successfully demonstrated the synthesis of para-xylene from methanol derived from CO2. Compared to traditional methods that rely on petroleum-based resources, this approach significantly reduces CO2 emissions,” they explained.
Methanol, traditionally used in chemical production, is now gaining traction as a lower-emission fuel, particularly in maritime applications. Para-xylene, on the other hand, is a key raw material for producing purified terephthalic acid, which is widely used in manufacturing polyester resins for clothing and plastic bottles.
The consortium believes that replacing petroleum-based resources with CO2—captured directly from the air or factory emissions—to produce methanol and para-xylene will not only reduce emissions but also contribute to the long-term storage of CO2. “This technology represents a major step forward in achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral future,” they concluded.
The successful demonstration marks a significant milestone in carbon recycling technology, offering a promising pathway to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
