Press Release

March 14, 2022
  • Global Environment

MOE Japan Selected One Demonstration Project of Innovative Catalyst Technology for Decarbonization through Regional Resource Recycling

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), Japan, selected one project from applications for the "FY 2022 Demonstration Project of Innovative Catalyst Technology for Decarbonization through Regional Resource Recycling."

1. Project outline

Acceleration of decarbonization utilizing hydrogen and transition to a circular economy including plastic resources recycling are required to achieve net zero by 2050 and a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 compared to 2013 levels, and to continue striving towards a further 50% reduction.

Precious metals and rare metals are often utilized as catalysts to promote chemical reactions in decarbonization and resource recycling technologies. They are prone to price spikes that follow demand, and catalytic materials may become a bottleneck in promoting decarbonization. In order to avoid problems such as high metal prices and resource limits, it is necessary to realize resource recycling by utilizing useful materials made from waste plastics and unused local resources such as rice straw and by upgrading the reactions of catalysts.

This project aims to develop and demonstrate innovative and relatively inexpensive catalyst technologies that enable regional resource recycling and promote their implementation in society. It will thereby contribute to significant reduction in CO2 emissions and realization of a circular economy that does not depend on fossil fuels.

2. Selection

Application period: from January 17 to February 4, 2022

Selected project: 1 project

Selected Project:

- Project name:

Technology development to realize energy conservation and regional resource recycling by use of innovative multi-element nano-alloy catalysts and chemical reaction technologies

- Representative operator:

Kyoto University

- Other operators:

Waseda University, Kubota Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Furuya Metal Co., Ltd.

- Participants:

Kyushu University, Meiji University, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Shinshu University, National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Akashi College, Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI), Osaka University, Keio University, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Institute for Molecular Science, Kochi University, Shizuoka University

* Shown above is information as of the time of the selection, which is subject to change based on instructions from the Screening Committee.