1 July 2015
DETAILS
Showa Denko (SDK) (TOKYO: 4004)
has completed the expansion of
used-plastic gasification facility
at the Kawasaki Plant, and
held a ceremony for the completion today.
As part of its basic chemicals business,
SDK is producing ammonia at Kawasaki. SDK processes
used plastic to obtain part of hydrogen necessary for
the synthesis of ammonia.
As an industrial material, ammonia is used in
the production of synthetic fibers and metal surface treatment
for automotive and construction machinery parts.
The demand for ammonia used for removing nitrogen oxides
contained in exhaust gas from thermal electric power plants
and other facilities has been increasing in recent years.
Furthermore, SDK’s liquefied ammonia
(trade name: EcoannTM) has been approved and
rated high as “eco-friendly goods for procurement”
by major electric power companies
because the product is partly based on used plastic.
In January 2015, SDK’s plan to raise the percentage of feedstock
from used plastic was recognized by
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
as eligible for the ministry’s interest subsidy program
for the promotion of effective utilization of resources.
Under the program, SDK received a loan
from the Development Bank of Japan Inc., and
invested in the expansion of used-plastic gasification facility
at the Kawasaki Plant*.
After the expansion, the percentage of hydrogen
from used plastic to produce EcoannTM will increase to 65%.
The method to produce hydrogen from used plastic
entails significantly lower environmental burden
compared to the conventional methods to produce hydrogen
from petroleum-derived raw materials.
By providing products indispensable for
protecting the environment and improving social infrastructure,
SDK will continue meeting the expectations of society
and local communities.
WWW.CHEMWINFO.COM BY KHUN PHICHAI
