Mitsubishi explores use of biomass plastics
23rd February 2025
JAPAN: Mitsubishi Electric is looking to use biomass plastics in its air conditioners and other home appliances.
The Japanese air conditioning manufacturer has announced a collaboration with Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan with the aim of promoting biomass plastics in the home appliance market.
Biomass plastics bypass the use of fossil fuels by using chemical compounds derived from renewable plant materials. The plastics are high-polymer materials made of raw materials consisting of starch, sugar, or cellulose contained in plants.
Idemitsu Kosan intends to produce biomass chemicals using the mass balance method. This method enables biomass-derived raw materials, to be mixed with other raw materials, like recycled plastics.
The company has been working on the production and sales of biomass chemicals as one of its measures to realise carbon neutrality since 2022.
Mitsubishi Electric is also working to expand the use of recycled plastics to realise a circular economy. In addition to current activity, it recognises the need to develop alternative materials to petroleum-derived plastics and technologies and products which leads to reduction of CO2 emissions.
