Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsubishi Electric: A Green Alliance for Home Appliances

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Idemitsu Kosan) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Mitsubishi Electric) have joined forces to promote the use of biomass plastics in home appliances, marking a significant step towards carbon neutrality and a circular economy. The collaboration, announced on February 21, 2025, aims to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance material recycling in the home appliance market.



Idemitsu Kosan will produce biomass chemicals using the mass balance method, while Mitsubishi Electric will incorporate these chemicals into its home appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators. This partnership will enable Mitsubishi Electric to use biomass plastics without compromising material recycling, as these plastics are of the same quality as petroleum-derived plastics.

The use of biomass plastics in home appliances offers several environmental benefits:

1. Reduced CO2 emissions: Biomass plastics are manufactured from renewable materials, resulting in lower CO2 emissions compared to petroleum-derived plastics throughout their life cycle.
2. Material recycling compatibility: Biomass plastics can be recycled without inhibiting the recycling process, promoting a circular economy.
3. Potential mitigation of plastic pollution and carbon emissions: The use of biomass plastics can help reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions from the plastic sector.

The collaboration between Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsubishi Electric is expected to increase the global demand for biomass plastics, expand the supply chain, and potentially lead to supply chain disruptions and innovation. Key technological challenges in scaling up biomass plastic production include feedstock availability and consistency, efficient conversion processes, mass balance method implementation, and quality control and standardization. Through collaboration, Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsubishi Electric can address these challenges by sharing technologies, expertise, and resources.

In conclusion, the partnership between Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsubishi Electric is a significant step towards promoting biomass plastics in the home appliance market, contributing to carbon neutrality and a circular economy. By addressing technological challenges and expanding the supply chain, the collaboration can help mitigate plastic pollution and reduce carbon emissions from the plastic sector.