07.07.2025 • NewsMitsubishi ChemicalMitsubishiRecycling

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Launches Chemical Recycling Plant for Plastic-to-Oil Conversion

ENEOS and Mitsubishi Chemical have completed their chemical recycling facility at Mitsubishi Chemical’s Ibaraki Plant in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Construction of the plant, which will support the launch of a plastic-to-oil conversion business, began in July 2021. A ceremony marking the facility’s completion was held on July 2, 2025.

Company representatives at the facility opening.
From left to right: Susumu Ishida, Mayor of Kamisu City (guest), Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker, House of Representatives (guest), Manabu Chikumoto, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Atsuji Yamaguchi, President, ENEOS Corporation, Kazuhiko Oigawa, Governor of Ibaraki Prefecture (guest).
Hiroki Fujii, President and CEO, Mitsubishi Chemical Engineering Corporation
© Mitsubishi Chemical Group

The facility employs hydrothermal plastic recycling technology (Hydro-PRT) that uses supercritical water to chemically break down waste plastic procured externally and convert it into oil. The technology has been made available under a license agreement with UK-based Mura Technology Ltd. The recycled oil produced with the technology is used as feedstock at both companies’ existing refinery and naphtha cracker and reprocessed into petroleum products and various chemicals, and plastics, thereby helping to realize a circular economy.

In addition, this facility plans to obtain ISCC PLUS certification. ISCC PLUS is one of the international certification systems for sustainable products. Once the facility is certified, the two companies will be able to offer various products made from the recycled oil.

A conceptual diagram of the plastic-to-oil conversion supply chain
A conceptual diagram of the plastic-to-oil conversion supply chain
© Mitsubishi Chemical Group

The ENEOS Group aims to achieve both a stable supply of energy and materials and the realization of a carbon-neutral society, based on its commitment of “Supporting ‘today’s normal,’ taking the lead for ‘tomorrow’s normal.’”

Mitsubishi Chemical Group aims to be a “Green Specialty Company” committed to solving social problems and to delivering impressive results to customers with the power of materials, under our Purpose that "We lead with innovative solutions to achieve KAITEKI, the well-being of people and the planet."

ENEOS and MCC will promote initiatives that contribute to the energy and materials transition and the circular economy, in pursuit of realizing a carbon-neutral and circular society through the plastic-to-oil conversion business.

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Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH

Willstätter Str. 30
40549 Düsseldorf
Germany

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