Page 168 - CW E-Magazine (4-3-2025)

News from Abroad

DEMONSTRATION TEST
Mitsui Chemicals and partners synthesise methanol

and p-xylene from CO
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A Japanese consortium of Osaka Compared with production methods
University’s Graduate School of that use petroleum-based resources as
Engineering Science, Kawasaki Heavy feedstocks, the p-xylene obtained in
Industries, and Mitsui Chemicals, have this project affords a substantial reduc-
successfully conducted demonstration tion in CO emissions.
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tests of methanol and p-xylene syn-
thesis using CO as a feedstock. Replacing conventional petroleum-
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based resources with CO gathered
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The tests were conducted as part of via direct air capture – as well as via fac-
the ‘Research of Selective Synthesis Organisation (NEDO), Japan’s largest tory emissions – and converting it into
Technology of Chemical Products public R&D management organisation. methanol and p-xylene will lead to both
for Carbon Recycling’ project, which lower emissions and the fixation of CO .
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has been selected for inclusion in the The demo tests of the technology
‘Development of Technologies for for synthesising p-xylene from methanol Going forward, the partners in this
Carbon Recycling and Next-Genera- that has itself been synthesised from project will work on further advances
tion Thermal Power Generation’ pro- CO were conducted at NEDO’s R&D in pursuit of commercialisation, help-
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ject being run by the New Energy and and demonstration base for carbon ing to bring a carbon-neutral society to
Industrial Technology Development recycling at Osaki-Kamijima, Hiroshima. fruition.

CROP PROTECTION
FMC begins production of novel herbicide active

ingredient, tetflupyrolimet

US-based agrochemicals firm, FMC closer to delivering this breakthrough to begin commercial launches in 2026.
Corporation, has announced the manu- molecule to market.” This molecule represents a significant
facture of the first commercial batch market opportunity, particularly given the
of Dodhylex branded active (tetflu- This production signals the mole- growing challenge of herbicide resistance
pyrolimet), a pre-emergence and early cule’s transition from development to the in rice production, and we expect it to
post-emergence herbicide targeted for commercialisation phase. The company maximize growers’ productivity and be a
rice crop globally. said the progress in commercialisation meaningful contributor to FMC’s growth
is further evidenced by regulatory dos- objectives,” he added.
The company described the deve- siers submitted in India, Brazil, the US,
lopment as an “important milestone the Philippines, Colombia, South Korea, Discovered at FMC’s Stine Research
in bringing the first new mode of Peru, Taiwan, Japan, and Malaysia, Centre, the R&D process leveraged cut-
action herbicide to growers in over three which account for approximately 35% ting-edge scientific approaches, includ-
decades”. of the estimated 165-million hectares of ing high-volume screening, chemi-
planted rice globally. cal genomics, and target-based design
“The successful production of our methods, resulting in a solution that pro-
first commercial batch of Dodhylex “This marks the beginning of the final vides season-long control of resistant
active represents a pivotal milestone steps in bringing this innovative solution and yield-robbing grass weeds. Beyond
in FMC’s innovation journey,” said to market,” said Mr. Pereira. “With manu- its initial focus on rice, FMC is exploring
Mr. Ronaldo Pereira, FMC’s President. facturing capabilities now demonstrated the use of Dodhylex active in other crops
“This achievement validates our manu- and regulatory submissions advancing including soybean, sunflower, sugarcane
facturing capabilities and also moves us in key markets, we are well positioned and corn.

168 Chemical Weekly March 4, 2025

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