World's First CDM Project to Reduce Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Underway at Caprolactam Plant; Mitsubishi Corp and Ube Industries Gain Approval of Thai Govern

Friday March 21 12:05 AM

This CDM[1] project, which reduces N2O in the production of caprolactam (a raw material used to make nylon 6[2] is being undertaken at a plant of Thai Caprolactam Public Co., Ltd. (TCL), an UBE subsidiary in Thailand. This is the world's first CDM project for the abatement of N2O gas arising from the manufacturing process of caprolactam. It is also the first CDM project in the industrial (chemical) sector approved by the Thai government, and the first CDM project UBE has participated in.

N2O is a greenhouse gas formed as a by-product at caprolactam plants. It is a contributor to global warming. The aim of this project is to reduce the amount of N2O released in producing caprolactam, and gain approximately 170,000 (CO2 ton equivalent) Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits per year from July 2008 onward, by means of the catalytic abatement plant set up by TCL. Meanwhile, MC plans to sell the emission reduction credits obtained through this project to companies aiming to meet their own emission requirements.

Project Outline

1) Project name: Catalytic N2O Abatement Project in the tail gas of the Caprolactam production plant in Thailand

2) Project location: Tambol Tapong, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand

3) Schedule for project implementation: Operations at N2O abatement plant to commence from July 2008

4) Contributing to the prevention of global warming: The contribution of N2O to global warming is 310 times greater than that of CO2. The scale and execution of this project will reduce N2O and therefore benefit the natural environment. Furthermore, by selling emissions credits acquired through this project to companies aiming to meet their reduction targets, MC will also be helping the countries concerned to meet their reduction requirements.

5) Ube Industries, Ltd.
Apart from caprolactam, UBE has facilities producing nylon 6 resin and butadiene rubber in Thailand, is operating three plants as a group and working to achieve a safe environment. The company is striving to co-exist in harmony with regional society. Not only is this project expected to contribute greatly to improving the region's natural environment, it is also gaining considerable attention as the Federation of Thai Industries' first pilot project in industry, and as a means of introducing Japan's recent technologies to Thailand to help deal with environmental problems.

6) Mitsubishi Corporation
Recognizing the need for the economy and natural environment to co-exist in harmony and make use of market mechanisms, MC is engaged in the business of emissions trading. Applying its know how in CDM, the company performs the following roles:
- Provides advice in project design for business that can gain UN registration (business through which acquisition of emissions credits is possible)
- Gains approval of Japanese government
- Provides project capital in the form of buying and selling emissions credits
By continuing to trade emissions credits all over the world, and from a long term perspective of sustainable development, MC will continue to support both the natural environment and other companies.

[1] The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM):
An arrangement to reduce greenhouse gases under the Kyoto Protocol (which was established in 1997 to prevent global warming). For instance, if Japanese companies with obligations to cut greenhouse gas can help to reduce the emissions
in the other developing countries like Thailand following the CDM rules, these companies can receive CER credits from the UN CDM Executive Board.
[2] Nylon 6
Nylon used primarily in textiles and engineering plastics. Some common uses include stockings, plastic film for food packaging, fishing nets, and auto parts.

About Mitsubishi Corporation

Mitsubishi Corporation (TSE: 8058; ADR: MSBHY) is Japan's largest general trading company (sogo shosha) with over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide. Together with its over 500 group companies, Mitsubishi Corporation employs a multinational workforce approximately 55,000 people. The Group has long been engaged in business with customers around the world in virtually every industry, including energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, food and general merchandise. Mitsubishi Corporation's commitment to social responsibility is embodied in its corporate philosophy and demonstrated through its extensive programme of cultural, environmental and educational projects worldwide. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishicorp.com .

Source: Mitsubishi Corporation

Contact:

Sadanobu Takemasu
Mitsubishi Corporation
Public Relations Office
Tel.: +81-3-3210-2104
Fax.: +81-3-3210-2104

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