The Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Mitsui Chemicals Launch Study Into Optimizing Chemical Logistics

The Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. have launched a joint study into standardizing and optimizing chemical logistics, which underpin society and industry alike. The companies intend to gradually roll out efforts under a number of relevant themes, with those that can be quickly put in place set to be implemented starting this fiscal year. Hopes are to lead the way on cross-company efforts in the chemical industry’s logistics sector, where companies often have similar issues. Through these efforts, the Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Mitsui Chemicals will aim to achieve stronger, more sustainable chemical logistics.

Themes to be studied and to be rolled out in stages beginning this fiscal year are as follows:

1. Collaborative transportation in the Nagoya area and other areas

Consolidate product shipments in the Nagoya area, where both companies have works and plants, to enable collaborative transportation to that area and other areas.

2. Mutual use of transportation networks

Make mutual use of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s transportation network in western Japan and the Kanto area, and Mitsui Chemicals’ transportation network in the Tohoku area, with a particular focus on small and medium cargo.

3. Collaborative use of coastal trading vessels

Lend, borrow, and make joint use of chemical tankers to increase fill rate and contribute to BCP.

4. Expansion of collaborative logistics projects that use tools for transportation route matching

Implement systems to optimally match cargo with vehicles – starting with experimental use between the two companies before eventually moving to matching setups that include many other companies as well.

Further, Mitsui Chemicals and the Mitsubishi Chemical Group will look to standardize and develop an information base for chemical logistics – steps that will be crucial to pursuing joint logistics – by leveraging the activities of a regional logistics networking council under SIP (the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) being pursued by Japan's Cabinet Office) in conjunction with national government, local government and other organizations.