Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC), based in Tokyo, has signed a licensing deal with Kuraray, a Japanese chemical and fibers producer, for the relevant patent, which includes an MCC-owned fundamental patent on a biomass-based polyester. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is made from renewable biomass resources, is one of the goods covered by the agreement.

PET is used in a range of industries, including the production of fibers. In contrast to traditional, petroleum-derived polyesters, MCC and Kuraray claimed in a joint release that this biomass-based polyester can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

MCC's patent is a substance patent for a biomass-based, high-quality polyester, and it is the foundational patent necessary for businesses engaged in the production or sale of this material. MCC has filed for patents in Japan, the United States, the European Union, and China.

According to the press release, MCC holds a slew of other biomass-related patents. MCC will not only continue to expand its own business but will also promote collaborative efforts and licensing arrangements with other companies to foster the adoption of biomass-derived materials that impose lower environmental loads, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable carbon society.