Mitsubishi Kakoki Begins Demonstration Testing of Methanation Equipment at Its Own Facility

Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd. (Representative: Toshikazu Tanaka, Location: Kawasaki City, hereinafter 'the Company'), as part of its technological development for reducing and effectively utilizing carbon dioxide, installed a demonstration methanation unit at its Kawasaki Plant in March 2026 and began demonstration testing in May of the same year. The Company will conduct various tests on this equipment and aim for the early practical application of methanation technology based on the data obtained.

About the Methanation Demonstration Unit

Currently, many companies, including the Company, are working to capture carbon dioxide and suppress its emission into the atmosphere. In this context, methanation technology, which reacts captured carbon dioxide with hydrogen to produce methane, is gaining attention as an effective utilization method, and the Company has been advancing its development.

The demonstration unit installed this time uses the Sabatier reaction (CO₂ + 4H₂ → CH₄ + 2H₂O)*1 to convert carbon dioxide into methane, employing a two-stage reactor configuration. It is designed to achieve a methane conversion rate of 99% or higher, with a production capacity of 12.5 Nm³/h. The generated methane is intended for use as raw material for city gas and in various combustion facilities.

In its medium-term management plan (FY2025-FY2027) announced in May 2025, the Company stated its goal to expand products and services in the GX business, primarily in the 'Promotion of a Circular Society' and 'Clean Energy' fields, and to become a company that serves as a partner for customers' decarbonization. As part of its technological development efforts related to the capture and utilization of carbon dioxide generated during hydrogen production, the Company has installed a carbon dioxide capture demonstration unit using the PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method*2 at its Kawasaki Plant and has been conducting demonstration experiments.

The Company will continue to promote the spread of clean energy through the deepening of hydrogen-related technologies and contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

*1 Sabatier reaction: A chemical reaction that produces methane and water from hydrogen and carbon dioxide using a catalyst.

*2 'Demonstration testing of carbon dioxide capture equipment has begun' (Announcement: July 19, 2024)

https://www.kakoki.co.jp/news/2024/07/post-380.html

■ Through the initiatives of this release, the Company contributes to the following SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals):

・Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

・Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

・Goal 13: Climate Action