Process Technology Center
The Process Technology Center within the Production & Technology Center is responsible for improving existing processes, developing new processes, and developing production technology for new products and materials covering all sectors from petrochemicals and basic chemicals to functional chemicals at Mitsui Chemicals.
The PTC uses a range of test facilities varying in scale from laboratory flasks to vessels containing hundreds of liters in order to develop production technology ideally suited to specific purposes. The center also has a semi-commercial plant that enables rapid market development for a wide range of applications.
With premises at the Sodegaura Center and at other major Works nationwide, the center has access to a development network with close links to Mitsui Chemicals' manufacturing plants.
As part of the development of production technology, the Process Technology Center is also involved in the synthesis of methanol from CO2, the development of processes to increase energy efficiency and bioprocess development, with the aim of establishing energy conscious, environmentally friendly processes.
It is also responsible for developing the basic technology that underpins production technology, including safety and process system technology.
A pilot plant used to chemically fix CO2 and manufacture methanol (Osaka)
A bioprocess development bench (Mobara)
Petrochemicals and basic chemicals
We develop production technology for products such as olefins, phenols, and PET plastic for bottles.
To date, we have developed manufacturing processes for chemicals such as phenols, including polypropylene, polyethylene, phenol, bisphenol A, cresol, and terephthalic acid.
Functional polymeric materials
We develop production technology for a wide range of olefin polymers and functional polymers and produce prototypes for new products.
We also handle the development of technology for Ziegler-Natta and metallocene olefin polymerization catalysts.
Having developed high performance catalysts in line with users' process and quality needs, the center has developed the world's first metallocene catalyst-based elastomer manufacturing process.
The center's semi-commercial polymeric material development plant
(Iwakuni)
We use compound technology to chemically modify and control the structure of base polymers, for combination with auxiliary materials to develop production technology for new compound products offering new capabilities.
Compound development equipment (Sodegaura)
Functional chemicals materials
We develop production technology for healthcare materials, such as optical lenses, agrochemicals such as insecticides, and produce prototypes for new products.
To date, we have developed manufacturing processes for products including high refractive index plastic lenses (MR series), insecticides (such as Trebon and Starkle), and soil fumigation disinfectants (chloropicrin).
A fine chemical development bench (Omuta)
Common base technology
We develop common base technology in the form of safety and process system technology.
We run advanced simulations based on chemical engineering models and trials aimed at maximizing yields using control technology. As safety is paramount when developing processes, the center also works on improving the standard of safety technology at every stage, from research through to installation and modification.
A reaction flow simulation
