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Launch of the Artificial Photosynthesis Project-Inauguration of the Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthetic Chemical Process (ARPChem)-

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided that it will make efforts for the next decade to develop innovative catalysts and other materials that could be used for manufacturing fundamental chemical substances from water and carbon dioxide by making use of solar power. Such substances will be used as raw materials of plastics, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, solvents, and other products, and are applicable in all areas of people's everyday lives.

In accordance with the launch of this project, the inauguration ceremony of the Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthetic Chemical Process (ARPChem), the main organization to conduct the project, will be held on Friday, November 30, 2012.

1. Background

The chemical industry is one of the major industries in Japan. It creates many products that boast strong international competitiveness, but it consumes a huge amount of fossil fuels. As Japan is now facing price increases in and the risk of depleting of import-dependent oil in the situation where people fear global warming, there has been demand to create chemicals that do not depend on oil.

2. Artificial photosynthesis project

This is a research and development project aiming at manufacturing fundamental chemical substances such as the raw materials of plastics (olefin, including ethylene and propylene), through a process in which inexhaustible solar power would dissolve water, making use of photocatalysts, and the remaining hydrogen and carbon dioxide would become a base of such raw materials (for details of the application, see Appendices).

METI and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) jointly launched the Future Pioneering Projects. As a research subject for the first year of the project, the artificial photosynthesis project will tackle the study for the coming decade between FY 2012 and FY 2021 with an expected budget of about 15 billion yen.

The utilization of catalyst technology requires long-term involvement and entails high risk in development, but it is expected to have a huge impact on Japan's economic society and bring a further advantage to Japan. Through these actions, METI will make efforts to achieve a release from dependence on fossil resources as raw materials of chemical substances (a revolution for a break away from oil), while overcoming resource and environmental challenges.

3. Japan Technological Research Association of Artificial Photosynthetic Chemical Process (ARPChem)

This association is composed of five enterprises and one organization. The association will promote research and development to commercialize the technology by advancing joint studies with universities, gathering together Japan's front-line experts as a "dream team." (for details, see Appendices).

4. Inauguration ceremony and gathering

Date:
November 30, 2012, starting at 17:30
Venue:
Josui Kaikan, 2-1-1, Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-Ward, Tokyo

Appendices

Release Date

November 28, 2012

Division in Charge

Chemicals Division & Fine Chemicals Office, Manufacturing Industries Bureau

 
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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
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