Neste, Suntory and Mitsubishi develop bio-based PET bottles

Neste, Suntory, ENEOS and Mitsubishi Corporation plan to cooperate to produce bio-based PET bottles, with Suntory starting to use the resin to make bottles in 2024.

Neste, Mitsubishi, Suntory and ENEOS are already collaborating to develop a biomass-based PET bottle supply chain using a mass balance approach.

ENEOS is Neste’s new partner in Japan and will leverage Neste
RE’s Bio-Based Intermediates, a ready-made solution that claims to be made entirely from raw materials, waste and residues such as cooking oil, produces bio-paraxylene (bio-PX) in Japan.

This bio-PX will be converted into pure terephthalic acid (PTA), ultimately made into PET resin. Suntory plans to use the resin to make PET bottles, using a mass-balance approach to bio-based materials. Mitsubishi Corporation will coordinate cooperation across the value chain.

In addition, Neste plans to recycle 150,000 tons of liquid waste plastic per year and convert it into petrochemical raw materials, and has now invested US$111 million to upgrade its refinery in Ball Bay.