Firms collaborate on production of cellulosic bioethanol in Japan

Nippon Paper Industries, Sumitomo Corporation and Green Earth Institute have agreed to begin trilateral trials for the commercial production of cellulosic bioethanol.
Bioethanol is currently attracting attention in countries worldwide striving for carbon-neutral societies as a renewable energy source and as feedstock for biofuels such as SAF and chemicals with low environmental impact.
The three companies will leverage their strengths to realise Japan's first entirely domestic cellulosic bioethanol commercial plant utilising domestic timber with the aim of integrating low-carbon biofuels into society and ensuring its energy security.
The three companies will be studying the possibility of starting production of tens of thousands of kiloliters per year of bioethanol derived from domestic timber at Nippon Paper's mills in fiscal 2027.
The bioethanol produced will be mainly used as feedstock for domestically produced SAF.
Nippon Paper will accelerate its market entry into the bio-chemical field as a "comprehensive biomass company shaping the future with trees".
Sumitomo Corporation is making multifaceted efforts to develop businesses that will serve as the foundation for a sustainable energy cycle in society, with the aim of making its business activities carbon-neutral by 2050.
GEI will contribute to a decarbonised society as a company "Fostering Green Technology and Walking with the Earth" by utilising the biorefinery technology it has cultivated to date to establish a commercial production plant for the bioethanol from non-edible biomass.