28 July 2025

Chugoku Marine Paints, Ltd. (Tokyo: 4617; President & CEO: DATE Kenshi) and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo: 4183; President & CEO: HASHIMOTO Osamu) are pleased to announce that CMP NOVA 2000 (Bio), a bio-based epoxy resin coating developed by Chugoku Marine Paints that has gained ISCC PLUS*¹ certification using the mass balance method*², has been selected for use on the ballast water tanks*³ of the liquefied ammonia tanker being built by Kegoya Dock Co., Ltd. (Kure, Hiroshima; President: KURUSHIMA Masayoshi).

This coating uses Mitsui Chemicals' bio-based epoxy resin, which has been certified by ISCC PLUS using the mass balance method to reduce CO₂ emissions.

A research by Chugoku Marine Paints suggests that this will be the first time in the world that a bio-based epoxy resin coating has been adopted for marine vessels.

In addition, the tanker’s bottom is coated with Chugoku Marine Paints’ fuel-efficient antifouling SEA PREMIER 2000 PLUS, which is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions during operation. The adoption of these high-value-added coatings is expected to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions during paint production and after the vessel enters service. The vessel is scheduled to be completed in May 2026.

■ Fuel-Efficient Antifouling "SEA PREMIER 2000 PLUS"

As ammonia is attracting attention as a next-generation low-carbon energy (next-generation fuel), the shipbuilder is proactively choosing products with high environmental performance for use in the new vessels. The adoption of SEA PREMIER 2000 PLUS fuel-efficient antifouling is expected to improve fuel efficiency by 5 to 8 percent compared with conventional antifoulings, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions during vessel operation.

■ Environmental Performance Improvements through High Value-Added Coatings

■ The Liquefied Ammonia Carrier

*1：ISCC PLUS certification

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*2：Mass balance method

The Ministry of the Environment’s Roadmap for Bioplastics Introduction defines the mass balance approach as “A method in which, during the process of turning raw materials into final products and the distribution process (chain of custody), raw materials with certain properties (e.g., bio-based raw materials) are mixed with raw materials that do not have the properties (e.g., fossil-based raw materials); thus, the properties are assigned to a portion of the product according to the amount of input of the raw materials with those properties.”

The physical properties of plastics and chemical products made under the mass balance method do not differ from their fossil-derived counterparts. The mass balance method also allows for the use of biomass in the production of materials where it has traditionally been difficult. Therefore, the mass balance method is a significant means of increasing the adoption of biomass in society and realizing a carbon neutral society. As of June 2025, around 40 products across the Mitsui Chemicals Group have already switched to the use of biomass resources based on the mass balance approach. Mass balance also has a crucial role to play in chemical recycling, which is set to be rolled out as a recycling solution that will pave the way for a circular economy.

*3：Ballast water tank

Cargo vessels, such as tankers and bulk carriers, are designed to remain stable when loaded with cargo. However, once the cargo is unloaded, the vessel rises higher above the water surface due to buoyancy, causing instability. To maintain stability, ballast water tanks are used to pump seawater into the vessel as ballast, replacing the cargo.