Total announces the commissioning in Japan in early December of a pilot plant to produce dimethyl ether (DME) by direct synthesis of natural gas. The recently completed facility, located in Kishuro on Hokkaido Island, has a production capacity of 100 metric tons a day. It will be used to validate this new technology with a view to building a commercial 3,000-metric-ton-per day unit.

Total is working in partnership with nine Japanese companies to develop this clean, environmentally friendly fuel.

DME is a liquefied gas synthesized from natural gas or other gases. It has similar physical properties to liquefied petroleum gas. It does not generate sulfur oxides or particulates when burned, is transported as a liquid, and can be used as a transportation fuel and for power generation.

The plant's commissioning is in line with Total's commitment to conducting research and development into new divisions that would leverage its gas resources.