Mitsubishi Chemical shuts down synthetic ethanol production and switches to fermented

In Japan, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation is planning to shut down its synthetic ethanol production facilities at the Mie Plant (Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture) and terminate the production and sales of synthetic ethanol by February 2022. In addition, it has received a contract from Japan Alcohol Trading Co., Ltd. to carry out the distillation of fermented ethanol on its behalf from April 2022.

Meanwhile, given the strong demand for commercial ethanol used for disinfectants, which are utilized as a measure to stop the spread of infections, and other purposes, the company plans to use the existing distillation facilities at the Mie Plant to undertake distilling operations for Japan Alcohol Trading, which sells fermented ethanol.