LanzaTech Global, a player in industrial carbon recycling, announced successful operational results at the municipal solid waste (MSW) to ethanol pilot plant in Kuji City, Iwate, Japan, owned and operated by longtime partner SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (SEKISUI). The facility, a 1/10th commercial scale pilot plant with an annual capacity of approximately 400 tons of ethanol, has been in operation for nearly four years following mechanical completion in April 2022.
Demonstrating Reliable Processing of Mixed Waste
Throughout the operational period, LanzaTech’s gas fermentation platform handled highly inhomogeneous, unsorted, non-recyclable waste streams—materials that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration. The achievement is particularly significant as it proves the technology’s ability to adapt to diverse regional waste profiles, supporting the development of a global circular carbon economy.
Joint Funding and Government Support
The Kuji project was funded through SBR, a joint venture between Sekisui Chemical and INCJ, a private-public fund overseen by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). Additional funding was provided by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, highlighting strong public-private collaboration in sustainable technology development.
Record Ethanol Yields and Operational Performance
The plant exceeded guaranteed performance, sustaining specific ethanol yields above guaranteed values for over fourteen consecutive days after reaching steady state—marking the most productive fermentation campaign at the facility to date.
Notably, this performance was achieved despite processing challenging syngas mixtures, with a CO + H₂ content ranging from 40% to 55% and an H₂:CO ratio between 1.1 and 1.4. LanzaTech notes that achieving consistent ethanol production under such conditions demonstrates both the adaptability and resilience of its process.
Integrating Gasification and Fermentation Innovation
As reported by chinimandi.com, the Kuji project integrated LanzaTech’s fermentation platform with a novel gasifier design, building on the company’s experience with established gasification systems. Despite variations in feed gas conditions, the process remained robust, meeting all key performance targets and demonstrating the reliability of LanzaTech’s technology for industrial applications.
Leadership Highlights Collaboration and Scalability
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, said, “We are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together at our Japan demonstration facility. Our thanks go to Sekisui Chemical, the prefecture of Iwate, and the city of Kuji for their outstanding collaboration and support. The results at Kuji once again demonstrate the scalability and technical viability of our fermentation platform. We are also grateful to the Government of Japan for its continued support and investment in sustainable technologies.”
