Asahi Kasei Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for Biogas Purification System at Sewage Treatment Plant in Japan
Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City celebrated the grand opening of a biogas purification system at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant in Okayama Prefecture, Japan on February 4, 2025. The system leverages Asahi Kasei's CO2 separation/recovery technology using zeolites - crystalline aluminosilicates with specialized pores that selectively adsorb CO2.
The technology employs a pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) process to separate CO2 from biogas, producing high-purity methane (biomethane) at high recovery rates. This demonstration trial, which began in February 2025, stems from a comprehensive partnership agreement signed in September 2022 between the parties to advance decarbonization efforts.
Biogas from sewage sludge typically contains 60% methane and 40% CO2. The separated methane will be returned as fuel for electricity generation. If the separated CO2 is utilized or stored, the process would achieve carbon negative status through carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Commercialization of the system is expected around 2027 following additional trials globally.
Asahi Kasei e la città di Kurashiki hanno celebrato l'inaugurazione di un sistema di purificazione del biogas presso l'impianto di trattamento delle acque reflue di Kojima nella prefettura di Okayama, Giappone, il 4 febbraio 2025. Il sistema sfrutta la tecnologia di separazione/recupero della CO2 di Asahi Kasei utilizzando zeoliti - alluminosilicati cristallini con pori specializzati che adsorbono selettivamente la CO2.
La tecnologia impiega un processo di adsorbimento a oscillazione a vuoto (PVSA) per separare la CO2 dal biogas, producendo metano ad alta purezza (biometano) con elevati tassi di recupero. Questo trial dimostrativo, iniziato a febbraio 2025, deriva da un accordo di partnership globale firmato a settembre 2022 tra le parti per promuovere gli sforzi di decarbonizzazione.
Il biogas derivante dai fanghi di depurazione contiene tipicamente il 60% di metano e il 40% di CO2. Il metano separato sarà restituito come combustibile per la generazione di elettricità. Se la CO2 separata viene utilizzata o immagazzinata, il processo raggiungerebbe lo stato di carbon negative attraverso la cattura, utilizzo e stoccaggio del carbonio (CCUS). La commercializzazione del sistema è prevista intorno al 2027 dopo ulteriori prove a livello globale.
Asahi Kasei y la ciudad de Kurashiki celebraron la inauguración de un sistema de purificación de biogás en la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de Kojima en la prefectura de Okayama, Japón, el 4 de febrero de 2025. El sistema aprovecha la tecnología de separación/recuperación de CO2 de Asahi Kasei utilizando zeolitas - aluminosilicatos cristalinos con poros especializados que adsorben selectivamente el CO2.
La tecnología emplea un proceso de adsorción por oscilación de vacío (PVSA) para separar el CO2 del biogás, produciendo metano de alta pureza (biometano) con altas tasas de recuperación. Esta prueba demostrativa, que comenzó en febrero de 2025, surge de un acuerdo de asociación integral firmado en septiembre de 2022 entre las partes para avanzar en los esfuerzos de descarbonización.
El biogás de los lodos de depuración contiene típicamente un 60% de metano y un 40% de CO2. El metano separado se devolverá como combustible para la generación de electricidad. Si el CO2 separado se utiliza o se almacena, el proceso lograría el estado de carbono negativo a través de la captura, utilización y almacenamiento de carbono (CCUS). Se espera que la comercialización del sistema ocurra alrededor de 2027 tras pruebas adicionales a nivel mundial.
아사히 카세이와 쿠라시키시는 일본 오카야마현 고지마 하수 처리장에서 바이오가스 정화 시스템의 개막식을 2025년 2월 4일에 개최했습니다. 이 시스템은 제올라이트를 사용하는 아사히 카세이의 CO2 분리/회수 기술을 활용합니다. 제올라이트는 CO2를 선택적으로 흡착하는 특수한 기공을 가진 결정성 알루미노실리케이트입니다.
이 기술은 압력 진공 스윙 흡착(PVSA) 공정을 사용하여 바이오가스에서 CO2를 분리하고, 높은 회수율로 고순도 메탄(바이오메탄)을 생산합니다. 2025년 2월에 시작된 이 시범 시험은 2022년 9월에 양 당사자 간의 포괄적 파트너십 계약에 따라 탈탄소화 노력을 진전시키기 위해 체결되었습니다.
하수 슬러지에서 발생하는 바이오가스는 일반적으로 60% 메탄과 40% CO2를 포함합니다. 분리된 메탄은 전기 생성 연료로 반환됩니다. 분리된 CO2가 활용되거나 저장된다면, 이 과정은 탄소 포집, 활용 및 저장(CCUS)을 통해 탄소 음성 상태를 달성할 것입니다. 시스템의 상용화는 추가적인 글로벌 시험 후 2027년 경에 예상됩니다.
Asahi Kasei et la ville de Kurashiki ont célébré l'inauguration d'un système de purification du biogaz à la station d'épuration de Kojima dans la préfecture d'Okayama, au Japon, le 4 février 2025. Le système utilise la technologie de séparation/récupération de CO2 d'Asahi Kasei en utilisant des zéolithes - des aluminosilicates cristallins avec des pores spécialisés qui adsorbent sélectivement le CO2.
La technologie emploie un processus d'adsorption à vide sous pression (PVSA) pour séparer le CO2 du biogaz, produisant du méthane de haute pureté (biométhane) avec des taux de récupération élevés. Cet essai de démonstration, qui a commencé en février 2025, découle d'un accord de partenariat global signé en septembre 2022 entre les parties pour faire avancer les efforts de décarbonisation.
Le biogaz provenant des boues d'épuration contient généralement 60 % de méthane et 40 % de CO2. Le méthane séparé sera réutilisé comme combustible pour la production d'électricité. Si le CO2 séparé est utilisé ou stocké, le processus atteindrait le statut de carbone négatif grâce à la capture, à l'utilisation et au stockage du carbone (CCUS). La commercialisation du système est prévue autour de 2027 après d'autres essais à l'échelle mondiale.
Asahi Kasei und die Stadt Kurashiki feierten am 4. Februar 2025 die Eröffnung eines Biogasreinigungssystems in der Kläranlage Kojima in der Präfektur Okayama, Japan. Das System nutzt die CO2-Trennungs-/Rückgewinnungstechnologie von Asahi Kasei, die Zeolithe verwendet - kristalline Aluminosilicate mit speziellen Poren, die CO2 selektiv adsorbieren.
Die Technologie verwendet einen Druck-Vakuum-Schwingungsadsorptionsprozess (PVSA), um CO2 aus Biogas zu trennen und hochreinen Methan (Biomethan) mit hohen Rückgewinnungsraten zu produzieren. Diese Demonstrationsversuch, der im Februar 2025 begann, resultiert aus einem umfassenden Partnerschaftsvertrag, der im September 2022 zwischen den Parteien unterzeichnet wurde, um die Dekarbonisierungsbemühungen voranzutreiben.
Biogas aus Klärschlamm enthält typischerweise 60% Methan und 40% CO2. Das getrennte Methan wird als Brennstoff zur Stromerzeugung zurückgeführt. Wenn das getrennte CO2 genutzt oder gespeichert wird, würde der Prozess den Status carbon negative durch Kohlenstoffabscheidung, -nutzung und -speicherung (CCUS) erreichen. Die Kommerzialisierung des Systems wird um 2027 nach weiteren globalen Tests erwartet.
- Potential commercialization of biogas purification system by 2027
- Technology achieves carbon negative status through CCUS if CO2 is utilized/stored
- Partnership with Kurashiki City demonstrates real-world application
- System produces high-purity biomethane as natural gas substitute
- Technology addresses growing global market for biogas purification
- Commercialization timeline extends to 2027, delaying potential revenue
- Additional trials required before full commercialization
- to demonstration scale currently
- Dependent on partnerships for implementation
On-site demonstration trial on CO2 separation/recovery utilizing zeolites
Kaori Ito, Mayor of Kurashiki City (fourth from right), and Osamu Matsuzaki, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei (fourth from left), were among the attendees of the grand opening ceremony (Photo: Business Wire)
Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement for the realization of carbon neutrality in society on September 15, 2022. Advancing the demonstration trial for decarbonization is one of the provisions of the partnership.
The System separates CO2 and methane from biogas using the optimum combination of a special zeolite as adsorbent that selectively adsorbs CO2 and a special pressure vacuum swing adsorption (PVSA) process technology. The zeolite is a crystalline aluminosilicate having regular channels (pores) controlled on the order of angstroms (ten-millionths of a millimeter) and cavities (voids) with a specific surface area exceeding several hundred square meters per gram. Asahi Kasei’s PVSA process technology, which separates specific gases by changes in pressure, enables the removal of CO2 from biogas to refine high-purity methane gas (biomethane) at a high recovery rate.
Biogas from sewage sludge, garbage, etc., consists of approximately
In Kurashiki City, electricity is generated using biogas derived from sewage sludge at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant. The System will use a portion of this biogas for the demonstration trial. Furthermore, if the CO2 separated by this System is utilized and/or stored, it would achieve carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), which is carbon negative. In the demonstration trial, the separated methane is returned and used as fuel to generate electricity for effective utilization of the biogas.
The demonstration trial at the Kojima Sewage Treatment Plant began in February 2025. Asahi Kasei is responsible for the design, installation, and operation of the System, as well as evaluating and demonstrating its performance, while Kurashiki City supplies biogas generated from sewage sludge in addition to providing the site for the trial.
Commercialization of the System is expected around 2027 following additional trials in countries or regions where biogas purification is performed.
“We are excited to start the on-site demonstration trial of a biogas purification system using Asahi Kasei's zeolite and PVSA process technology,” says Osamu Matsuzaki, Senior Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and Senior General Manager of Corporate Research & Development. “As the next step, by expanding co-creation partnerships globally, we will accelerate the advancement and practical implementation of this outstanding technology that can reduce environmental impacts, contributing to sustainability for the world.”
1 Please refer to the following webpages
International Energy Agency | Special section: Biogas and biomethane
https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023/special-section-biogas-and-biomethane
European Commission | Biomethane
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/bioenergy/biomethane_en
Related press release: “Asahi Kasei to construct biogas purification system at sewage treatment plant in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan”
https://www.asahi-kasei.com/news/2022/e220915_2.html
Information on the sustainability of the Asahi Kasei Group
https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/about_sustainability/
About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber business, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 49,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250225613724/en/
North America Contact:
Asahi Kasei America Inc.
Christian OKeefe
christian.okeefe@ak-america.com
Europe Contact:
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Sebastian Schmidt
sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu
Source: Asahi Kasei
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