Japanese petrochemical producer Mitsui Chemicals has received the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) for its biomass naphtha-based toluene diisocyanate (TDI) PLUS), enabling it to supply this new low-carbon product.
Mitsui Chemicals said on November 13 that the company had obtained the ISCC in October. PLUS certification allows the production of polyurethane raw material TDI using biomass naphtha purchased from Finnish refiner Neste. TDI is the 38th Mitsui Chemicals to obtain ISCC Plus certified petrochemical products, other certified products include ethylene, propylene, benzene, polypropylene compounds and bisphenol A.
Mitsui Chemicals decided to optimize TDI production and reduce the production capacity of Japan's Omuta plant from 120,000 tons/year to 50,000 tons/year by July 2025. The company also stopped 117,000 tons/year TDI production at its Kashima plant in Japan in December 2016, citing increased competition and declining profitability. The Omuta plant is currently Mitsui Chemicals' only production base for TDI.
Mitsui Chemicals seeks to increase the production of environmentally friendly products by promoting bio-based petrochemical production and developing new areas such as establishing ammonia and hydrogen supply chains, while exploring the electrification of naphtha cracking.
The Japanese petrochemical producer has also accelerated its decarbonization efforts, with Mitsubishi Chemical receiving an ISCC in July for its methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer produced at its Hiroshima plant in Japan. PLUS certification enables it to supply bio-based raw materials or recycled raw material products.