Realize carbon-free production of plastics?

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun website recently reported that Mitsubishi Chemical, Toyota Motor and the University of Tokyo plan to conduct a large-scale empirical study in 2030 to test a new technology for making plastic raw materials using sunlight and carbon dioxide - artificial photosynthesis technology
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It is reported that the main principle is to make plastic raw materials by reacting hydrogen decomposed from water with carbon dioxide
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Since no carbon dioxide is produced in the process, this technology helps achieve decarbonization goals
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Compared with plastic raw materials made from fossil fuels, which are cheaper and more competitive, researchers are aiming to commercialize the technology by 2040
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The new energy industry technology comprehensive research and development agency decided to invest about 30 billion yen in funding to assist the technology in the next 10 years
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The "Artificial Photosynthesis Chemical Project Technology Research Group" established by Mitsubishi Chemical, INPEX, Mitsui Chemicals and other companies will become the main research body together with the University of Tokyo
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Researchers inject water on panels of photocatalyst flakes to make hydrogen with sunlight

The manufacturing cost of hydrogen is expected to fall to 240 yen per kilogram by 2030, comparable to hydrogen extracted from natural gas, and further to below 170 yen by 2050
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At the same time, the efficiency of the hydrogen-carbon dioxide reaction will also increase
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Once the experiment is successful, Japan will realize the localization of plastic raw materials and will no longer rely on imported oil and natural gas
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