Commercial biogas supply to kick off in 2010

Biogas Net Japan, a biogas consortium whose partners include Kanematsu Corp. and Idemitsu Kosan, has initiated a feasibility study into a project to supply methane generated by sewage treatment plants as biofuel for industrial boilers and trucks, and for residential use. With this as the starting point, the plan is to then diversify to sources other than sewage treatment plants; expand coverage areas, including to overseas locations; and grow the business into a large-scale one. Kanematsu is the representative partner of Biogas Net Japan, and Idemitsu Kosan, Taiyo Nippon Sanso, Tokyo Gas Engineering, the Japan Research Institute and Nippon Gas are among the 11 partners. (August 20, 2009)