Updated by "Forest Circular Economy" Editorial Board on May 23, 2025, 11:12 AM JST
Editorial Board, Forest Circular Economy
Forestcircularity-editor
We aim to realize "Vision 2050: Japan Shines, Forest Circular Economy" promoted by the Platinum Forest Industry Initiative. We will disseminate ideas and initiatives to promote biomass chemistry, realize woody and lumbery communities, and encourage innovation in the forestry industry in order to fully utilize forest resources to decarbonize the economy, strengthen economic security, and create local communities.
TRE Holdings and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical announced on May 22 the start of a strategic business alliance for the first commercial-scale "green methanol" production and sales business in Japan. The two companies will jointly verify the commercialization of next-generation fuel made from woody biomass and waste.
Green methanol is methanol produced from renewable resources and waste without using fossil resources. It is attracting attention in recent years as a "next-generation carbon-recycling fuel" for the realization of a decarbonized society, as it can be used as a marine fuel, raw material for chemicals, and for many other applications.
TRE is strong in the field of waste treatment and resource recycling for the creation of a recycling-oriented society, and has been involved in the utilization of waste-derived energy. This time, TRE will procure woody resources and waste plastics, etc., and supply them to Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company as raw materials in a configuration suitable for methanol production. As for woody resources, the company aims to provide a stable supply based on a forest improvement plan in cooperation with the Chiba Prefecture Forestry Cooperative.
On the other hand, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical has advanced process technologies and a global network in methanol production. In this project, the two companies will verify the production and sales of green methanol using synthesis gas obtained from wood resources and waste materials supplied by TRE as a feedstock. By combining the strengths of the two companies, it is expected that both advanced utilization of unused resources and energy independence will be achieved.
This partnership is the first step toward commercialization, and the two companies will work together to develop specific manufacturing processes, supply chains, and evaluate economic feasibility. Stable procurement methods for woody biomass, efficient treatment and gasification technologies for various wastes, and reduction of production costs are likely to be the keys to successful commercialization.
Until now, green methanol production sites have been mainly limited to overseas locations, but this partnership is the first move toward commercial-scale production in Japan. In that it utilizes forest-derived biomass, it is of great significance to those involved in the forestry industry from the standpoint of resource recycling.
