Core Viewpoint - The collaboration among Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical aims to establish a limited liability partnership, Setouchi Ethylene LLP, focusing on carbon reduction technologies and capacity optimization in ethylene production facilities in western Japan, with a goal of achieving a green transition by 2030 [2][5]. Group 1: Ethylene Production and Carbon Emissions - Ethylene is one of the largest chemical products globally, with its production process accounting for 1.8% of global industrial emissions, primarily due to high-temperature energy consumption in steam cracking furnaces [5]. - Japan, as the third-largest ethylene producer, has an annual capacity of approximately 10 million tons, but its carbon intensity is 20%-30% higher than that of Europe and the U.S. [5]. - The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) plans to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions from the chemical industry by 2030, making the stability, greening, and efficiency optimization of ethylene production crucial for the development of downstream engineering plastics [5]. Group 2: Strategies for Green Transition - The three companies have been discussing specific measures to promote carbon neutrality in ethylene production facilities since last year, focusing on transitioning raw materials from traditional petroleum resources to biomass-based materials and introducing low-carbon fuels [6]. - They plan to optimize production frameworks, including potential capacity reductions for more efficient resource utilization, and have agreed that forming the LLP is the best way to deepen cooperation and accelerate their goals [6]. - Asahi Kasei has developed a "lignin cracking technology" that can convert paper waste and other biomass into ethylene feedstock, which can replace some petroleum-based raw materials. Pilot data shows that with a biomass ratio of 20%, carbon emissions can be reduced by 35%, and costs are 15% lower than traditional bioethanol routes [6]. Group 3: Differences Between Bio-based Olefins and Traditional Ethylene - Bio-based ethylene opens a new pathway for ethylene production, sourced from renewable biomass resources such as agricultural and forestry waste, through a series of biological and chemical conversion processes [7]. - The carbon emissions from bio-based ethylene production are significantly lower, with CO2 emissions ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 kg CO2 per kg of product, representing a 60% reduction compared to petrochemical routes [7]. - However, challenges remain in terms of cost competitiveness, with raw material costs accounting for 60%-70% of total costs, and higher energy consumption compared to petrochemical processes [7]. Group 4: Industry Movements and Innovations - Major companies like Braskem, BASF, and New Energy Blue are pursuing bio-based ethylene as a key focus area in the context of low-carbon sustainability [7]. - Braskem, the sixth-largest petrochemical company globally, has been producing bio-based polyethylene since 2010 and is expanding its bio-based ethylene production capacity in Brazil [8]. - In China, Sinopec has made significant strides in bio-based polyethylene, successfully launching its first bio-based product in September 2024, with an initial production of 2,500 tons [10].