Introduction
The role of the petrochemical industry in establishing a sustainable society
- Currently the social problems, such as climate change or financial gaps are getting serious. There has been a continuous rise around environmental concerns in international society. To aim to be a sustainable society we should address the issues to related carbon emissions. Reducing carbon emission will maintain harmony between nature/environment and industry/economy.
- The Petrochemical industry, which is positioning at upstream in manufacturing industry, has greatly contributed to economic development and improvement of people‘s lives as an essential industry. It must take on new roles and missions to establish carbon neutral and building recycling oriented society.
Timeline for structural transformation of the petrochemical industry and the evaluation standard of “environmental value” and institutional design
- To drive forward initiatives for establishing carbon neutral and recycling oriented society, two stages of timeline are simulated in order to drive forward the structural transformation of petrochemical industry;
- 1st stage : Reducing greenhouse gas emissions of existing facilities by expanding currently usable technology immediately and at the same time developing innovative technologies that will lead to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- 2nd stage : Establishing sustainable development goals by implementing new technologies in society sequentially
- In order to understand the above story, not only corporate efforts but also collaboration and system design throughout the supply chain are required. Legitimate evaluation standards and institutional designs of “environmental value” need to be considered to gain public understanding and acceptance of the environmental value. To the users and final consumers this is an added value in terms of environmental aspects of products throughout the society.
Collaboration across the whole region and society starting from sustainable industrial complexes
- An Industrial complex is a production base for the petrochemical industry that is aiming towards environmental changeover. “Sustainable industrial complex” can be established through collaboration between industrial sectors with technological innovation utilizing the potential of chemical industry. Sustainable industrial complex is engaging industries within the complex and user industries. It serves as the function of the regional infrastructure bases where Japan's carbon neutral and resource recycling efforts are promoted intensively.
International collaboration
- Demand for petrochemical products throughout Asia is expected to continue to grow strongly. There are concerns rising about issues such as increase of CO2 emissions in emerging countries and ocean pollution from plastic dumping. We will contribute to solve these social issues in emerging countries, by introducing products and manufacturing technologies that utilize Japan's innovative technologies. Collaboration with western countries is needed in terms of the evaluation of international standards and institutional design in order to form green chemical market.
The role of the petrochemical industry to establish a sustainable society
The petrochemical industry contributes to building carbon-neutral and recycling oriented society. Through the "power of chemistry" aiming to create a sustainable society keeping on advancing while maintaining harmony between nature/environment and industry/economy.
Reference | Importance of realizing a carbon recycling society
In general there is a balance between the amount of CO2 absorption and emission into the atmosphere and the amount of CO2 released and taken into the ocean. But, since the industrial revolution, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased due to human activities such as fossil fuel use and deforestation. This imbalance led to global warming. As a solution provider, the chemical industry contributes to the maintenance of ecosystem balance by recycling carbon existing on the earth's surface.
Contribution of the petrochemical industry to society as a core industry
In today's economy, the petrochemical industry stands as an indispensable pillar, providing products that are integral to daily life. Positioned at the forefront of the supply chain, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring economic stability and driving growth across essential sectors. To foster sustainability and align with evolving societal needs, our imperative is to transition towards a green chemical industry model while upholding our pivotal position within the core industry framework.
Chronological image of measures for transformation into green chemical industry
The transition to green chemicals involves two stages: upgrading existing equipment and implementing innovative technology in society. Not only corporate efforts but also technological innovation through collaboration of supply chain and institutional design will be required.
Categorization of measures for creating green chemical products
A product that adds environmental value to the value of the chemical product itself is defined as a "green chemical product." Our policy is to add environmental value through technological development at each stage of the product life cycle. Every chemical company is placing R&D and commercialization efforts.
Stance of the petrochemical industry and considerations for institutional design
With the aim of supporting companies' green investment decisions and creating a market for green chemicals, support for capital investment, expansion of legal frameworks, visualization of "environmental value," and promotion of consideration about expanding demand for green chemical products are expected.
Overview of future sustainable measures focused on olefin production equipment
Olefin production equipment will be the key to making industrial complexes sustainable in the future. Collaboration between industrial sectors is necessary to achieve maximum effects for sustainability./gas/electricity/steel industry
Collaboration across the region and society as a whole starting with sustainable industrial complexes
Olefin production is the regional infrastructure base for a carbon-neutral and recycling-oriented society. The existing industrial complex centered on olefin production facilities will be transformed into a “sustainable complex”. It is necessary to build a cooperation scheme within the industrial complex and the industrial sectors involved.
Reference | Location of existing petrochemical complexes and industrial sector accumulation
International collaboration to establish a sustainable society
We will contribute to addressing social issues, such as increase of CO2 emissions, marine plastic pollutions etc., by introducing Japanese Green Chemical products and technology. Furthermore, we will collaborate on international evaluation and intuitional design aimed for creating a Green Chemical market.
