Neste is cooperating to produce PET bottles  

Collaboration between Neste, Suntory, ENEOS, and Mitsubishi Corporation will enable the production of PET bottles using bio-based materials 

PET (polyethene terephthalate) is one of the most commonly used polymers for drinking bottles. Neste has entered a cooperation with Suntory, ENEOS, and Mitsubishi Corporation to enable the production of PET on a commercial scale. 

The partnership marks the first use of Neste RE for producing PET. Additionally, the introduction of bio-based materials will reduce fossil resource dependence in the value chain. 

The PET resin will be made with renewable Neste RE, Neste’s feedstock for polymers production. Neste RE is made from 100 percent bio-based raw materials like waste and residue, replacing fossil feedstock in the value chain. 

Japanese beverage company, Suntory, will utilize the renewable PET resin to produce bottles for its products in 2024. Mitsubishi Corporation will be coordinating the collaboration between the value chain partners.  

ENEOS, a new partner for Neste, will use bio-intermediates based on Neste RE to produce bio-paraxylene (bio-PX). Manufactured at its Mizushima Refinery in Okayama, Japan, the bio-PX will then be converted to Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA). The PTA will subsequently be converted to PET resin for Suntory to use for manufacturing bottles. 

A mass balancing approach will be applied to allocate the bio-based materials to the PET bottles. 

Lilyana Budyanto, Head of Sustainable Partnerships APAC at Neste Renewable Polymers and Chemicals, commented: “In order to tackle the imminent climate crisis and its consequences, companies are required to take responsibility now. Through partnering along the value chain, Neste can contribute to reducing the polymers and chemicals industry’s dependence on fossil resources. It also means we can manufacture products that have a lower carbon footprint.”