Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (ʺMCCʺ; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hitoshi Ochi) hereby announces that it recently signed a licensing agreement with Toray Industries, Inc. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Akihiro Nikkaku) for the MCC-owned basic patent (EP1882712B family) on a biomass-based polyester.

The products covered by this license include polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which use renewable biomass resources, and are expected to have a variety of industrial applications such as the manufacture of fibers. In contrast to conventional, petroleum-derived products, this biomass-based polyester can be expected to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The patent owned by MCC is a substance patent for a biomass-based, high-quality polyester and is the basic patent required for business operations engaged in the manufacture or sale of this material. MCC has already registered the patent not only in Japan but also in the US, EU, and China.

MCC owns many other patents for biomass-based products. To foster the adoption of biomass-derived materials that impose lower environmental loads, MCC will not only continue to expand its own business but also promote collaborative efforts and licensing arrangements with other companies, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable carbon society.