Showa Denko to expand plastic scrap gasification plant

Japanese firm Showa Denko (SDK) has received a loan from the Japanese government to help it expand its plastic scrap gasification facility in Kawasaki, Japan. The investment also has been recognized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as part of that ministry's fiscal 2014 program for “promoting an effective utilization of resources.”

The Japanese government provides interest subsidies for bank loans to firms investing in plant and equipment that can help increase recycling efforts.

SDK produces ammonia at its Kawasaki facility. The company then gasifies plastic scrap to obtain part of the hydrogen necessary to synthesize the ammonia. To raise the percentage of hydrogen it extracts from plastic scrap, SDK is planning to expand its gasification facility at Kawasaki. After completing the expansion, the percentage of hydrogen from plastic scrap will increase to more than 60 percent.

SDK manufactures and markets chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronics and computer industries. SDK makes petrochemicals, aluminum products, electronic equipment and inorganic materials.