Indorama Ventures has joined the world's first supply chain established for more sustainable polyester fiber. Renewable and bio-based materials, as well as materials produced via carbon capture and utilization (CCU para-xylene), will be used in the manufacturing of polyester fibers for THE NORTH FACE brand in Japan, instead of fossil-based materials. Alongside Indorama Ventures representing Thailand, the project parties involved in the pilot are Goldwin (the project owner), Mitsubishi Corporation, Chiyoda Corporation (all three from Japan), SK geocentric (South Korea), India Glycols (India), and Neste (Finland).
Notes: This refers to the first time CCU para-xylene (direct synthesis from CO2) is applied as well as the first time polyester is made without the use of fossil materials, through collaboration among upstream material companies and a downstream apparel company through mass balancing, according to the companies' research. Regarding the production of para-xylene derived from CO2 as a raw material, the University of Toyama, HighChem Company Limited, Nippon Steel Engineering Co. Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation, Chiyoda Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation were awarded a NEDO project in 2020 (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) for "Technology Development for Carbon Recycling and Next-Generation Thermal Power Generation/Technology Development for CO2 Emission Reduction and Effective Utilization" and are conducting joint research and development. This project aims to supply CO2-derived para-xylene on a trial basis, which has been produced during the operation of a pilot plant installed at Chiyoda Corporation's Koyasu Research Park since March 2022.