LanzaTech and SEKISUI to develop waste-to-ethanol plants across Japan

LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leader in carbon recycling technology, has signed a Master Licence Agreement with SEKISUI Chemical Co., Ltd. to develop multiple commercial-scale waste-to-ethanol plants across Japan. This agreement formalises their decade-long collaboration and sets the framework for constructing facilities that convert municipal and industrial solid waste into ethanol using LanzaTech’s advanced technology.

SEKISUI plans to build several plants, starting with a facility expected to produce 10 to 12 kilotons of ethanol annually. The ethanol generated will meet Japan Alcohol Association Standard (JAAS) specifications and can be further converted into ethylene and kerosene, which are used for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as other chemical applications like packaging and personal care products.

This partnership follows the successful completion of a pilot plant in Saitama in 2017 and a demonstration plant in Iwate in 2022. The goal is to provide municipalities with a sustainable platform that reduces waste, captures carbon, and generates valuable bio-based feedstocks. Japan produces around 56 million tons of combustible waste each year, and this collaboration aims to turn a portion of that waste into a clean and renewable energy source.

“We are pleased to expand our collaboration with longstanding partner LanzaTech, whose waste-to-ethanol technology is converting municipal solid waste into a valuable resource and providing an innovative solution to ending our reliance on fresh fossil fuels,” said Futoshi Kamiwaki, SEKISUI representative director, senior managing executive officer. “Signing this Agreement is an important next step on our path to commercialising this game-changing technology and realising SEKISUI’s vision of a more sustainable, low-carbon society for future generations.” 

“With this Agreement, we are progressing our vision for a circular carbon economy. Our continued collaboration with SEKISUI is setting the groundwork for providing municipalities with a platform that reduces waste, captures carbon, generates valuable sustainable feedstocks, and importantly, creates local jobs,” said LanzaTech CEO Dr. Jennifer Holmgren. “We are grateful to SEKISUI for their commitment to scaling carbon recycling across Japan and for being at the forefront of developing a global blueprint for other countries and businesses to follow on how to access and utilise the carbon locked in local garbage.” 

By deploying LanzaTech’s waste-to-ethanol technology, SEKISUI will help advance Japan’s commitment to reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and support global efforts to lower carbon emissions.