SCGC & IHI Collaborate to Convert CO₂ into Light Olefins Using CCU Technology

TAGS:  Sustainability / Natural Solutions    

SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited or SCGC, and IHI, a leading Japanese company have entered into a collaboration to demonstrate a pilot plant for testing carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) technology to convert CO₂ to light olefins.

This collaboration aims to address climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and driving carbon neutrality, reflecting the practical implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.

Reduces Consumption of Naphtha Feedstock

This demonstration test is fully supported by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a governmental agency in Japan. The goal is to demonstrate CCU technology at pilot scale.

The captured CO₂ undergoes a chemical reaction with hydrogen to produce light olefins and other hydrocarbon compounds. This allows for a circular utilization in the production process and reduces the consumption of naphtha feedstock. It further assists in cutting down CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere.

SCGC can potentially adopt this as an alternative feedstock in the future. The feasibility and integration with the existing olefin petrochemical facilities within the SCGC will be explored, with the project expected to be completed in 2024 and testing running until 2026.

SCGC aims to ensure sustainable development is working towards carbon neutrality by 2050. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially from carbon dioxide, by 20% from the 2021 base year and set a target sales volume of one million tons per year of environmentally friendly polymer products, or SCGC Green Polymer, by 2030.

This action is being undertaken through a "Low Carbon, Low Waste" approach, encompassing the improvement or modification of processes and equipment for higher energy efficiency, the substitution of fossil fuels with clean energy, the development and investment in technologies that do not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, applying circular economy principles throughout the value chain, and undertaking carbon offset activities such as reforestation in various types of areas, including mangrove forests.

Source: SCGC