LanzaTech has entered into a master license agreement with Sekisui Chemical to implement a platform that transforms syngas derived from municipal and industrial solid waste into ethanol.
Sekisui plans to establish multiple facilities across municipalities in Japan, utilizing equipment packages, engineering and advisory services, consumables, and intellectual property supplied by LanzaTech. The company anticipates that its first commercial-scale facility will produce between 10 to 12 kilotons of ethanol annually. This ethanol can further be converted into ethylene and kerosene for sustainable aviation fuel.
Futoshi Kamiwaki, representative director and senior managing executive officer at Sekisui, expressed enthusiasm for expanding the partnership, stating, “LanzaTech’s waste-to-ethanol technology is transforming municipal solid waste into a valuable resource, offering an innovative solution to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
He added, “This agreement marks a significant step toward commercializing this groundbreaking technology and realizing our vision for a more sustainable, low-carbon society for future generations.”
LanzaTech CEO Dr. Jennifer Holmgren highlighted the agreement’s role in advancing a circular carbon economy, noting that their collaboration will help municipalities manage waste, capture carbon, produce valuable sustainable feedstocks, and create local jobs.
In Japan, approximately 56 million tons of combustible waste are generated annually. The challenge of managing municipal and industrial waste is significant and growing; the World Bank projects that by 2050, global waste generation will reach 3.88 billion tons per year, a staggering 73% increase from 2020 levels.
