From left to right: Hideaki Konishi, Head of C1 Chemical Business Division; Takayuki Aoshima, Director of HighChem Tokyo Research Institute; Qipeng Dai, Project Manager overseeing the paraxylene project

――Please tell us how HighChem became involved in the development project for paraxylene, a CO2-derived compound that is now being used in sports uniforms.

Mr. Dai: First of all, HighChem established the technology to produce ethylene glycol, a key ingredient in PET (polyethylene terephthalate), from syngas. This technology was successfully licensed in China, reaching a production scale of 10 million tons per year, transitioning from lab-scale to commercial-scale success.

As an extension of this, we have been working with Professor Tsubaki of Toyama University, an authority on C1 technology, on joint research and development into technologies to manufacture various chemicals from synthetic gas. 

This research involves the development of technology to manufacture paraxylene from synthetic gas. As we continued with the development, momentum for decarbonization was building around the world, and major companies began to show interest in using a similar concept of catalyst philosophy to switch the raw material to CO2.

Section Chief Dai: "We had a grand vision: 'To be the only company in the world that can produce PET without petroleum.'"

Paraxylene is the raw material for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used to make plastic bottles and fibers. As for ethylene glycol (EG), another raw material for PET, HighChem has already succeeded in mass-producing EG derived from carbon monoxide in China and is also developing EG derived from CO2.

If we have these two raw materials, it will be possible to make PET, which currently accounts for approximately 80 million tons of production worldwide, from CO2. This is where HighChem's big goal or concept of becoming "The only company in the world that can make PET from non-petroleum sources" came into being.

Mr. Konishi: The reason HighChem was able to join this project alongside many large corporations is largely due to our success in reviving and commercializing the technology for producing ethylene glycol from syngas derived from carbon monoxide. This technology, which was originally developed in Japan long ago but had been forgotten, was brought back to life by us. We established it as a new technology and scaled it up to a commercial level, achieving mass production.

There are many technologies that can be demonstrated at the laboratory level, but very few can be scaled up to commercial production. HighChem has a proven track record in making this transition. Additionally, the fact that we were able to demonstrate this success in the vast Chinese market is particularly significant. In fact, this achievement was one of the main reasons I was drawn to join HighChem myself (laughs).

Mr. Aoshima: I joined HighChem this April, and I am deeply impressed by the company's substantial capabilities. In less than a decade, HighChem has successfully commercialized SEG catalysts at both the Tokyo and Nantong research centers, growing this initiative into such a significant business.  I am confident that the expertise and knowledge that enabled this remarkable growth will be effectively applied to our current project as well.

Mr. Konishi: Another major reason is that HighChem has access to China, the largest market for paraxylene and ethylene glycol. The primary goal of our technological development is commercialization, and it is essential to develop where there is demand. Currently, China is the largest producer of PET, and the demand for paraxylene is highest there. This is why “HighChem’s ability to connect this demand in China with our technology” is likely what drew significant attention to us​.

――Can you elaborate on HighChem's role in the development of CO2-derived paraxylene technology?

Mr. Dai: From the inception of the project, HighChem's role has been centered on the development of catalyst technology and its industrialization. Essentially, our focus is on the large-scale production of catalysts and the development of the processes needed to industrialize them.

General Manager Konishi: "Developing catalysts is like making fried rice. It’s hard to replicate it on a large scale."

Mr. Konishi: 　Catalysts are often compared to making fried rice  (laughs).​
You can have a secret sauce and a famous chef's recipe, but even if you follow the same steps, it doesn't always turn out delicious. Similarly, even if you create the perfect catalyst at the laboratory level, it’s challenging to replicate it on a large scale. For industrialization, you need to transform that secret recipe into one that can be mass-produced and consistently yield the same results. It must be praised as "delicious" or "well-replicated" every time, no matter how often you do it. This consistency is incredibly difficult to achieve, whether it's for fried rice or catalysts.

Mr. Aoshima:  Exactly. In addition to that, developing the technology to design the shape of the catalyst to suit the process is also essential. This is something that only a company can fully achieve. HighChem's proven track record in the mass production of ethylene glycol and the know-how we've accumulated in that area is a significant strength.

―― What is the current status of the development of CO2-derived paraxylene technology in terms of mass production?

Mr. Dai: The NEDO project started in 2020, and by March 2023, we successfully isolated CO2-derived paraxylene at Chiyoda Corporation's pilot plant. This technology has now been used in the production of the sportswear. Our ultimate goal is to achieve commercialization by around 2030.

Mr. Aoshima: A common challenge for decarbonization technologies is the current difficulty in sourcing CO2 and hydrogen. However, by 2035 or 2040, the landscape will likely be very different. The key is whether we already possess the necessary technology when that time comes. Rather than scrambling to develop the technology in the future, it's wise to have it ready now.

―― Thank you. Could you also update us on the progress of other decarbonization technologies HighChem is currently working on?

Mr. Konishi: Regarding the production of CO2-derived ethylene glycol, we are currently developing it under the name of Green MEG. This project is also geared towards commercialization. We are working hard to ensure that we can produce it at a price and scale comparable to the currently available ethylene glycol.

General Manager Aoshima: "The future demand will be for how effectively we can advance commercialization and practical application, as HighChem has been doing."

Mr. Aoshima: Speaking of decarbonization, in addition to this project, we are also working on biomass-derived plastics. Recently, HighChem and Hokkaido University opened a joint research lab to advance these efforts. Although the development of biomass utilization technologies is progressing, there is still a lot of work to be done before they become widely adopted.

The key going forward will be how quickly we can commercialize and implement these technologies using the market and production networks that HighChem has developed. This will be essential to meet global demand.

Mr. Konishi: In that sense, we aim to build significant achievements, especially in the environmental sector, so that partnering with HighChem is seen as a pathway to practical and commercial success.