In order to respond to the global trend of decarbonization, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, a major chemical manufacturer, has decided to separate the two businesses that use fossil fuels and coal, such as the petrochemical business, and consider including integration with other companies. I made it clear.
Going forward, we plan to strengthen our business for batteries, for which demand is increasing.
This was announced by John Mark Gilson, President of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, at a management policy briefing on the 1st.
In this, it was clarified that the petrochemical business and the carbon business will be separated from the group by the next fiscal year and will be considered including integration with other companies.
In the petrochemical business, we manufacture polyethylene, which is a raw material for plastics, and in the carbon business, we make "coke," which is a material for making iron derived from coal.
Mr. Gilson cites the reason for separating the two businesses as the fact that future growth is unlikely in Japan and that carbon dioxide emissions, which are required to be reduced globally, are high.
The two businesses account for about 20% of the group's total sales, which was more than 3.2 trillion yen, and the company plans to strengthen materials such as lithium-ion batteries and healthcare businesses, which are indispensable for electric vehicles. is.
"As the world focuses on decarbonization, domestic energy costs will continue to rise. The petrochemical business will inevitably be reorganized in Japan," said Gilson.