JFE Steel Corp. (Tokyo), Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc. (Tokyo) and Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (Tokyo) began a supply chain demonstration project at the Mizushima Complex (Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan) in September 2026. The project is based on the demonstration plan announced by the three companies in March 2025, with the aim of achieving a carbon-recycling society.
JFE Steel has begun supplying by-product gas generated in its steelmaking processes for the project. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical has begun producing methanol from this by-product gas at its newly constructed Carbopath™*1 demonstration plant within its Mizushima Plant. In addition, Mitsubishi Chemical has begun producing propylene using this methanol as a raw material at its existing demonstration facility (utilizing the DTP®*2 process).
The three companies will continue the project, evaluate its economic viability, and identify challenges and pathways toward commercialization. They also will explore broader opportunities for collaboration with other businesses within the Mizushima Complex.