Plastic without oil: Japan tech to use CO2 and water for precursor

Asahi Kasei seeks sustainable, petroleum-free method to cut carbon emissions

Asahi Kasei has mass produced plastics raw materials until now at its petrochemical complexes, such as this one in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture. (Photo by Shoya Okinaga)

SHOYA OKINAGA, Nikkei staff writer

August 26, 2023 01:20 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei aims to commercialize a new way to make a plastic ingredient from carbon dioxide and water using electricity, Nikkei has learned, offering a potential game changer for decarbonization in the plastics industry.

The technology can be used to produce ethylene, a material for plastics used in automobiles and home appliances that is typically derived from petroleum.