JAKARTA. PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (TPIA) and Nippon Shokubai Group, Japan, have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding their cooperation in the green chemical industry.

Erwin Ciputra, President Director of TPIA, said that this collaboration marks the beginning of the journey of the company’s sustainability initiatives. “Chandra Asri focuses on enhancing product processes and sustainably utilising our raw materials with clear intentions, which are ensuring energy efficiency, carbon optimisation, and realising green-based horizon,” he added in the official statement.

The collaboration between TPIA and Nippon Shokubai will include the exploration for potentials in the production of bio-based materials, such as bio-naphtha, bio-olefins, and other products that utilise renewable energy. These materials will then be processed to be turned into sustainability derivative products, including acrylic acid (AA), acrylic ester (AES), and superabsorbent polymer (SAP).

On the other hand, Shinichiro Yoshimoto, President Director of Nippon Shokubai, claimed that as of now, his company is currently developing global supplies for SAP. For the record, SAP is the main ingredient of disposable diapers, also made by AA produced by TPIA.

“Through this collaboration with Chandra Asri, NSI (Nippon Shokubai) will learn how to build a system to supply green-ingredient-based products to meet users’ demands,” Yoshimoto concluded. (KR/ZH)