Japanese consortium taps NESTE for biobased PET feedstock

In Japan, Mitsubishi Corporation, Suntory Holdings Limited, ENEOS Corporation, and NESTE Corporation have joined forces to establish a sustainable supply chain for polyethylene terephthalate bottles made from renewable resources.

Under the terms of the deal, NESTE Corporation will supply biobased naphtha produced from waste and residue oils, including used cooking oil.  ENEOS will convert the naphtha to  para-xylene at its Mizushima Refinery, using a mass balance method that ensures sustainable allocation.

Mitsubishi will then convert the bio-PX into high-purity terephthalic acid and PET resin, which form the foundation of bio-PET bottles. Suntory will then produce PET bottles for its products, which include spirits such as whiskey, beer and wine. 

The collaboration signifies the world’s first large-scale production of sustainable PET bottles using bio-PX derived from bio-naphtha.