Green Earth Institute (GEI), an investee of PIEF, and Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) have agreed to work on the development and commercialization of bio-isobutanol production technology, and started the development project.

They will develop a low-cost production process for isobutanol from biomass using isobutanol-producing bacteria developed by the Research Institute of Innovative Technologies for the Earth (RITE). This production process development is also supported by NIPPON STEEL ENGINEERING CO., LTD., aiming to realize commercial production of isobutanol, which is highly toxic and complicated to produce in high concentrations by microorganisms.

Isobutanol is a basic chemical used as a raw material for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) via paraxylene. The promotion of this project will accelerate the social implementation of PET production derived from 100% biomass. Both companies are eager to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society through this project.

Sojitz invested in GEI in June this year with the aim of establishing new businesses in the biochemicals field. This collaboration in the development of bio-isobutanol is the first rollout of their new business generation project.

For more information, please visit the websites:
Green Earth Institute Press Release