Mitsubishi Kakoki to Collaborate on Trial for Long-Term Use of High-Purity Biodiesel Fuel in Marine Applications

Mitsubishi Kakoki Co., Ltd. (Representative: Rikiichi Tanaka, Head Office: Kawasaki City, hereinafter "the Company") will collaborate on technical verification using the Company's marine oil purifiers in a long-term trial of biofuel (B100)※1 conducted on a car carrier operated by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Company (Representative: Takaya Soga, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "NYK Line").

Image of a car carrier (different from the trial vessel)

Currently, in the maritime sector, biofuels such as B24 and B30※2—blends of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) derived from used cooking oil and other feedstocks with very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO)—are being introduced as drop-in fuels. This initiative aims to comprehensively investigate the impact of long-term, continuous use of high-purity biodiesel fuel (B100), which is being considered for broader adoption to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The trial will involve operating an NYK-operated car carrier on B100 fuel for one year, assessing effects on the vessel's fuel supply system performance and operation.

The Company previously participated in "Project LOTUS," a demonstration project conducted by NYK Line and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, the results of which were published in September 2025. In that project, the Company contributed to confirming the technical safety and sharing technical information regarding long-term use and storage of B24 biofuel. In this new initiative, similar to Project LOTUS, the Company will conduct technical verification and support using its marine oil purifier, the "Mitsubishi Self-Jector," installed onboard the dedicated vessel. The Company aims to enhance the reliability of oil purifiers and gather insights on maintainability during prolonged (one-year) use of high-purity biodiesel fuel.

To date, the Company has supported various land-based and onboard ship trials for biofuels, which are recognized as a key solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to establishing proper handling methods for oil purifiers. Moving forward, the Company will continue to leverage its extensive technological expertise in marine oil purification systems to support both safe vessel operation and the realization of a sustainable, decarbonized society.

※1 B100: Refers to fuel consisting of 100% biofuel; in this trial, FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) primarily derived from waste cooking oil is used.

※2 B24 and B30: Fuels in which approximately 24% and 30% biofuel, respectively, are blended with conventional heavy fuel oil.

Through this initiative, the Company contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

・Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

・Goal 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

・Goal 13 Climate Action