The race to reduce carbon emissions just got a powerful boost! Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and ICM Inc. have joined forces in a strategic alliance that could revolutionize ethanol dehydration. But is this the game-changer the industry needs?
Tokyo, Japan, November 5, 2025— MHI, a renowned engineering and technology giant, and ICM, a leading US bioethanol process technology provider, are combining their expertise to transform ethanol production. Their goal? To make ethanol dehydration more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.
The secret weapon? MHI's Mitsubishi Membrane Dehydration System (MMDS™), which, when integrated with ICM's bioethanol process design, promises to reduce energy consumption and enhance reliability. This collaboration aims to support the bioethanol industry's transition to a greener future by lowering carbon intensity.
And the results are already turning heads. MHI's pilot plant at the Nagasaki Carbon Neutral Park achieved an impressive ethanol purity of over 99.5 vol.%, indicating a substantial decrease in energy consumption compared to traditional methods. But here's where it gets controversial—while these initial findings are encouraging, further testing is required to confirm the technology's performance and long-term viability.
The alliance plans two critical validation programs: a fouling test to evaluate the membrane's resilience against impurities, and a demonstration test to prove its efficiency and seamless integration in a full-scale production setting. These tests are crucial to ensuring the technology's success in the real world.
Ethanol dehydration is a major energy drain in bioethanol production. MMDS™ addresses this by replacing the energy-intensive Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) method with a molecular sieve separation process, significantly reducing energy use and operational costs. And there's more—MMDS™ operates in the liquid phase, allowing for a more compact design and easier installation.
"This partnership opens doors to innovative dehydration methods," said Shaun Hubler, Director of Technology Commercialization at ICM. "The pilot's success is just the beginning, and we're excited to see its impact on the global renewable fuels market."
Fumitaka Miyashige, Business Manager of the MMDS™ project at MHI, added, "Our collaboration with ICM is a significant stride towards MHI's carbon-neutral vision."
With further testing set for Q2 2026, this alliance is poised to make a lasting impact on the bioethanol industry's efficiency and sustainability. But will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell.
About ICM, Inc.
ICM, founded in 1995, is a Kansas-based company with a global reach, offering cutting-edge technologies and solutions for agriculture and renewable energy. Their ethanol and feed technologies have increased global protein supply, and their proprietary processes are used in over 110 facilities worldwide, producing approximately 8.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 25 million tons of distiller grains annually. Learn more at icminc.com.
About MHI Group
MHI Group is a global industrial leader, operating across energy, infrastructure, machinery, aerospace, and defense sectors. They leverage advanced technology and expertise to create integrated solutions, striving for a carbon-neutral world, improved quality of life, and enhanced safety. Explore their work at www.mhi.com or spectra.mhi.com.
What do you think? Is this alliance the key to unlocking a more sustainable bioethanol industry? Share your thoughts and let's discuss!
