Skokie: LanzaTech Global Inc., a company focused on industrial carbon recycling, has reported successful operating results from a municipal solid waste to ethanol pilot plant in Kuji City, Iwate prefecture, Japan. The facility is owned and run by its long-time partner Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. and has demonstrated the feasibility of converting mixed waste into ethanol at a near-commercial scale, reports The Globe And Mail.
The pilot plant, built at one-tenth of a full commercial size, can produce about 400 tonnes of ethanol each year. It remained in operation for nearly four years after mechanical completion in April 2022. During this time, the plant showed that LanzaTech’s fermentation technology can reliably handle mixed, non-recyclable waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills or incinerators. The ability to manage uneven and changing waste streams is seen as important for supporting circular use of carbon resources across different regions.
The project was funded through investments by SBR, a joint venture between Sekisui Chemical and INCJ, a public-private investment fund overseen by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Financial support was also provided by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.
According to the company, the plant met all its guaranteed performance targets and sustained ethanol production above guaranteed levels for more than 14 consecutive days after reaching stable operations. This marked the most productive fermentation period achieved at the site so far, even while operating with challenging gas conditions.
The facility processed synthesis gas made up of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in varying proportions that are generally difficult for many technologies to handle. Despite this, ethanol output remained steady, highlighting the flexibility and strength of the fermentation process.
Gasification is a commonly used method for treating solid waste, and LanzaTech has previously combined its fermentation system with established gasifier technologies. The Kuji project also involved work with a new gasifier design, providing further proof that the fermentation process can perform reliably even when gas quality varies.
LanzaTech chief executive Jennifer Holmgren said the results reflected strong cooperation between the company, Sekisui Chemical, and local and national authorities. She said the project confirmed that the technology works well beyond the laboratory stage and can be scaled up, while also acknowledging the support of the Japanese government for sustainable technology initiatives.
The company said it will continue to focus on waste-to-energy projects that support a circular economy and supply key inputs for sustainable aviation fuel and other low-carbon chemicals. By turning difficult waste streams into useful products, such projects are expected to help lower emissions and support the global move toward cleaner fuels.
