Feb 23 (Nikkei) - From plastic to steel, some of Japan's top makers of industrial materials have ramped up efforts to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions as their customers seek to cut CO2 across their entire supply chains.
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2026 in the production of methyl methacrylate, or MMA, which is used in plastics for auto parts and construction materials.
The company plans to offset emissions from the production process by switching to partly plant-derived materials, which would be a first in commercial MMA. Mitsubishi Chemical is the world's largest producer of the material, with a roughly 40% share.
The partly plant-based MMA will be more expensive than the conventional alternative. But "we have been flooded by requests for bio-based materials in Europe," a company spokesperson said.
Mitsubishi Chemical on Tuesday also announced that it invested in Lingrove, a U.S.-based producer of a carbon neutral composite material. The companies aim to commercialize the material by the end of this year for use in car interiors.
More companies are looking to slash emissions, including at their suppliers, as nations commit to reducing output of greenhouse gases. Honda Motor has asked main suppliers to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, while Volkswagen is requiring suppliers to achieve carbon neutrality for certain electric-vehicle parts.
