SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President: Keita Kato; hereinafter “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) announces that it has been entrusted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (hereinafter “NEDO”) to conduct a “Survey on the Suitability of Demonstration Requirements/Demonstration Research on Chemical Looping Technology for CO₂ to CO Conversion to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in the Steel Industry (EU)” (hereinafter “the NEDO project”). The NEDO project has begun in November 2023.

1. Background

  SEKISUI CHEMICAL has been developing its unique chemical looping technology for CO₂ to CO conversion, which converts CO₂ to CO at a high conversion rate. In 2021, tests using actual blast furnace gas at an ArcelorMittal, S.A. (CEO: Aditya Mittal; hereinafter “ArcelorMittal”) plant in Asturias, Spain achieved a CO₂ conversion rate of 90% and a hydrogen conversion rate of 75%^*1 in June of last year.
  With CO₂ and hydrogen conversion rates even higher than initially targeted, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has been considering a new project with a view to scaling up for commercialization. It applied for the NEDO's “FY2023 International Demonstration Project on Japan's Technologies for Decarbonization and Energy Transition (Survey on the Suitability of Demonstration Requirements),” and the project was selected.
*1 This achievement is a result of NEDO’s international joint research and development project (JPNP20005) for innovative technology in the field of clean energy.

2. Overview of New Project

  CO₂ emitted from ArcelorMittal’s steel plant (the final selection of the steel plant where the technology will be installed will be made within the coming months) will be converted to CO using SEKISUI CHEMICAL’s chemical looping technology for CO₂ to CO conversion. The feasibility and economic viability of the technology will be studied for various potential CO applications (CCU), including direct utilization as a reductant in blast furnaces and further conversion of CO through the utilization of technologies owned by partners in Japan and abroad. A series of technological demonstrations will then be conducted from CO₂ to deployment for promising CO applications.
  The volume of CO₂ conversion in the demonstration will be scaled up from 1 kg/day in the previous test at the plant in Asturias, Spain to 10 tons/day.
  The period of this survey on the suitability of demonstration requirements is scheduled from November 2023 to March 2024. The survey will gather information on the energy situation in the EU, policies on GHG reduction, regulations and environment for on-site demonstration, and ArcelorMittal’s steel plant and its surrounding environment, location, and supply infrastructure. Efforts will then be launched to scale up the chemical looping technology for CO₂ to CO conversion and demonstrate the CCU technology.

  SEKISUI CHEMICAL will continue its efforts to commercialize this technology, aiming to commercialize it in FY2030 and establish a new resource recycling system, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

(Reference) Related Past Press Releases

■ArcelorMittal and SEKISUI CHEMICAL announce carbon recycling partnership (announced on July 20, 2021)
https://www.sekisuichemical.com/news/2021/1364774_38536.html

■ArcelorMittal and SEKISUI CHEMICAL’s Carbon Recycling Project achieves target ahead of schedule (announced on June 14, 2023)
https://www.sekisuichemical.com/news/2023/1389171_40406.html

About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group

Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 180 companies throughout 21 countries and regions aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.
Since its foundation in 1947, the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group has dedicated itself to social and environmental contribution and is now an internationally recognized leader in sustainability and environmental initiatives, having recently been selected as one of the Global 100 most sustainable companies. SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group will continue to maintain a strong corporate presence for 100 years and beyond.