Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and RITE will showcase advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies at Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. The initiative includes direct air capture, underground CO2 storage, and methanol production using MGC’s Carbopath™ platform. This collaboration aims to promote carbon neutrality and advance Japan’s sustainable technology leadership.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC) and the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), headquartered in Kizugawa City, Kyoto and led by President Kenji Yamaji, have entered into a strategic agreement to demonstrate advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025. This partnership marks a significant step toward the practical implementation of CCUS technologies in Japan and reflects a shared commitment to achieving and surpassing carbon neutrality.
As part of this demonstration, the collaboration will utilize a direct air capture (DAC) system to extract carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. The recovered CO2 will then be transported for underground storage and used in the production of methanol. This initiative will be presented as a model case of CCUS in Japan, showcasing forward-looking technologies aligned with the “Beyond Zero” concept—an approach aimed at removing historical carbon emissions while striving for net-negative emissions.
RITE has long been engaged in promoting carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which involves capturing carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere and safely storing it underground. Recognized as a vital tool in combating climate change, CCS supports the vision of achieving negative emissions. At the Expo, RITE’s demonstration of DAC technologies will be part of Japan’s Moon Shot Research and Development Program, supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Since 2016, RITE has led the Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology Research Association, focusing on the development of large-scale CO2 storage systems suitable for Japan’s geological conditions. MGC became a member of this association in 2021 and has since collaborated with RITE to accelerate innovation in underground carbon storage and support the early adoption of CCS in society.
In addition to CCS, MGC is at the forefront of advancing carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies. A key initiative is the development of its proprietary “Carbopath™” platform, which facilitates the conversion of captured atmospheric CO2 or waste materials into methanol. This methanol can be used in the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels, offering a greener alternative to fossil-based manufacturing.
Carbopath™ not only helps cut greenhouse gas emissions but also enables a shift toward circular manufacturing practices by promoting resource efficiency and reducing dependence on fossil resources. This initiative aligns with MGC’s corporate philosophy of “Creating Value to Share with Society,” striving to build a harmonious relationship between economic growth and environmental stewardship.
Through this collaboration, MGC and RITE aim to accelerate the development and adoption of integrated CCUS technologies, bringing together CO2 capture, storage, and utilization. By combining their expertise, the two organizations are committed to pushing forward the realization of a carbon-neutral, sustainable future.
