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Business collaboration with ANA, LanzaTech on expansion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and delivery business

Jun. 14, 2019


Mitsui & Co., Ltd. ("Mitsui", Head Office: Tokyo, President and CEO: Tatsuo Yasunaga) has formed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS Co., Ltd. ("ANA", Head Office: Tokyo, CEO: Yuji Hirako), pertaining to the joint development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production business which leverages innovative technology developed by US-based LanzaTech Inc. ("LT"). The companies are now progressing with business collaboration, and as part of the MOU Mitsui and ANA will jointly conduct a delivery flight of a newly built aircraft from the USA to Japan in fall 2019 using SAF produced by LT.

LT is a US-based start-up in which Mitsui acquired a stake as lead investor in March 2014, positioning it as a Business Innovation Project. LT has developed the world's only gas fermentation technology, which it uses to convert waste gas emissions of steel plants and oil refineries into ethanol, and has already launched operations of a commercial plant in China which uses this technology. LT has also established catalyst technology to produce SAF from ethanol.

As a strategic investor in LT, Mitsui has continued efforts to advance the development of joint business between the two companies, and in the future hopes to mass produce SAF from waste gas-derived ethanol, and establish a value chain that that reduces CO2 gas emissions and contributes to global environmental preservation through its supply to Japan and other markets around the world.

Amid an upward trend in demand for air freight, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has set a goal for the industry to cap CO2 emissions beyond 2020, and reflecting the growing need to align business activities with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mitsui will work towards the successful establishment of a low-carbon society through the stable and long-term supply of SAF, and contribute to measures to tackle global warming and other challenges currently facing our planet.

Aircraft (Boeing 787)<br />
Copyright ANAAircraft (Boeing 787)
Copyright ANA
The LanzaTech Freedom Pines Plant (USA) in June 2019<br />
Copyright LanzaTechThe LanzaTech Freedom Pines Plant (USA) in June 2019
Copyright LanzaTech