Idemitsu closes debt facility with InPlanet, a CO2 removal（CDR）company

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and CEO: Noriaki Sakai; hereinafter "Idemitsu"), through its wholly owned subsidiary Idemitsu Americas Holdings (Headquarters: Houston, USA; President and CEO: Masanori Abe, hereinafter "IAH"), has closed a debt facility with InPlanet GmbH (Headquarters: Munich, Germany; hereinafter "InPlanet"), a company that develops carbon dioxide removal (CDR) using enhanced rock weathering (hereinafter “ERW”)^＊1. Idemitsu aims to support the expansion of InPlanet's business and create a wide range of collaboration opportunities, including CDR market development in North America, Japan, and Asia, joint project exploration, and policy coordination.
*1 ERW: Enhanced Rock Weathering. A method in which finely crushed silicate rock is spread over farmland to accelerate the natural weathering process, converting atmospheric CO2 into stable bicarbonate ions stored in waterways for a long time.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, it is essential to implement CO₂ removal (CDR) from the atmosphere in addition to reducing CO₂ emissions. In particular, there is a growing need for high durability CDR^＊2 that can store removed CO₂ for long periods of time. ERW is one such promising high durability CDR method. In addition to removing CO₂, ERW is expected to have secondary agricultural benefits such as improving soil fertility and reducing the use of fertilizer and limestone.

InPlanet is commercializing ERW in Brazil by partnering with quarries and farmers in Brazil’s agricultural regions. In December 2024, InPlanet delivered the world’s first independently verified ERW carbon removal credits under Isometric’s Enhanced Weathering Protocol. They are establishing a system for measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) that accurately quantifies the amount of atmospheric CO₂ removed by their weathering operations. Furthermore, InPlanet is building a strong and reliable commercial foundation by executing long-term offtake agreements and utilizing carbon delivery insurance.

Idemitsu values InPlanet’s commercial, technical, and operational achievements and expertise, and regard InPlanet as a promising partner in ERW. We are working to realize a carbon-neutral society by commercializing and implementing highly durable CDR. Through this debt facility and our ongoing collaboration with InPlanet, we aim to accumulate knowledge on ERW, support InPlanet’s expansion, expand Idemitsu’s CDR business, and develop the CDR market together.

Comment from IAH President and CEO Masanori Abe:
“InPlanet's efforts in Brazil combine scientific rigor with hands-on application, making them an important player in advancing durable CDR from the demonstration stage to full-scale deployment. This funding is an important step to deepen our understanding of durable CDR and support its development. Going forward, we will continue to contribute to the overall development of the CDR market through collaboration and knowledge sharing with InPlanet.”
*2 High durability CDR: A carbon removal method that removes CO₂ from the atmosphere and stably stores it over a long period without it returning to the atmosphere. Representative technologies include ERW, biochar, DACCS (a technology that separates and captures CO₂ directly from air), and BECCS (a technology that captures and stores CO₂ during bio-energy generation).