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Tag: Methanol

World’s largest integrated green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project

The first 320 MW phase of what China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd says will ultimately become the world’s largest integrated green hydrogen-ammonia-methanol project HyFlow has officially begun operation in Songyuan City in Jilin Province. With a total investment of nearly $4.30 billion, the Songyuan project uses a “wind-solarhydrogen-ammonia-methanol” integration model, creating an industrial chain that includes hydrogen production and storage, as well as hydrogen-derived chemicals such as ammonia and methanol, hydrogen energy equipment, and scientific research. The project eventually plans to develop 3 GW of renewable energy capacity from wind and solar power, alongside a target production capacity of 800,000 t/a of green ammonia and methanol. The annual production of green hydrogen in the project’s first phase is expected to be equivalent to approximately one-fifth of China’s current total annual green hydrogen production.

Technology license for blue methanol

Topsoe has been selected as technology provider by Sandpiper Chemicals LLC, for their new blue methanol plant in Texas City, Texas. Topsoe will license its Syn-COR™ technology, which will be combined with carbon capture & storage (CCS) for the production of blue methanol. The project, when operational will produce 3,000 t/d of blue methanol. The IEA estimates that methanol demand is expected to grow to 120-150 million t/a by 2030. Today, methanol is primarily used within the chemical industry, but growing demand is coming from the shipping industry as it looks to lower emissions.

NextChem and Siemens to cooperate on maritime methanol fuel cells

NextChem and Siemens Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the development and commercialisation of a high temperature methanol fuel cell, based on a newly designed modularised solution. With an initial focus on the high-end yachting segment, the target market for the cooperation is the maritime industry and beyond. According to the MoU, NextChem will focus on the design and supply of the methanol fuel cell module, while Siemens Energy will leverage its expertise in onboard system integration, complete electrification and energy management with the aim of delivering a complete solution to shipyards and owners.

Agreement on electrolyser technology for methanol plant

Topsoe has signed an offtake agreement to provide its Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC) technology for Forestal’s Triskelion green methanol plant in Galicia. The SOEC’s will be delivered from Topsoe’s manufacturing facility in Herning, Denmark, which is nearing the final stage of readiness for industrial-scale production. The agreement, which includes a 10-year service warranty program, builds on Topsoe’s existing agreement with Forestal, announced in December 2024, to provide its e-methanol synthesis technology, catalysts and engineering for highly efficient e-methanol production.

Market Outlook

l The market looks very tight through the end of the year, though some expect supply to improve in Q4. Prices are unlikely to ease in the coming weeks. l Woodside’s Beaumont New Ammonia Project is now 97% complete, and the producer expects production from the first train in late 2025. There is no information from Gulf Coast Ammonia on when to expect commercial production. l There was an absence of fresh confirmed business into northwest Europe. Still, producers with ammonia capacity in the region are expected to be maximising output given the favourable economics at current spot natural-gas prices at the Dutch TTF.

Feasibility study on sustainable methanol plant

NextChem subsidiary MyRechemical has been selected by Mana Group and Equinor to conduct a feasibility study for a waste-to-methanol plant at Norway's Mongstad refinery. The project will use NX Circular™ technology to convert urban and industrial waste into chemical grade syngas which will be further processed to produce low-carbon methanol. The facility is expected to produce circular methanol with a low carbon footprint, eligible under the EU Renewable Energy Directive criteria. This methanol could initially replace marine bunker fuel to meet the targets of the FuelEU Maritime regulation, exempting final users from buying ETS credits and paying penalties, and potentially later be used as feedstock for methanol-to-jet facilities to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compliant with FuelEU Aviation regulation.