LanzaTech signs agreement to develop waste-to-ethanol plants across Japan

LanzaTech has signed a master license agreement with Sekisui Chemical to deploy a platform that converts syngas from municipal solid waste and industrial solid waste into ethanol.
Sekisui intends to build multiple facilities in municipalities across Japan which incorporate equipment packages, engineering and advisory services, consumables, and intellectual property provided by LanzaTech.
The company expects its first commercial-scale facility to produce 10 to 12 kilotons of ethanol annually.
The ethanol output can be converted into ethylene and kerosene for use as sustainable aviation fuel.
“We are pleased to expand our collaboration with longstanding partner LanzaTech, whose waste-to-ethanol technology is converting municipal solid waste into a valuable resource and providing an innovative solution to ending our reliance on fresh fossil fuels,” said Futoshi Kamiwaki, Sekisui representative director, senior managing executive officer.
“Signing this agreement is an important next step on our path to commercialising this game-changing technology and realising the vision of a more sustainable, low-carbon society for future generations.”
“With this agreement, we are progressing our vision for a circular carbon economy. Our continued collaboration is setting the groundwork for providing municipalities with a platform that reduces waste, captures carbon, generates valuable sustainable feedstocks, and importantly, creates local jobs,” said LanzaTech CEO Dr Jennifer Holmgren.
Around 56 million tons of combustible waste is generated in Japan each year, and municipal and industrial trash are both massive and accelerating global challenges - the World Bank estimates that by 2050, humans will be generating 3.88 billion tons of waste each year, a 73% increase from 2020.