Consortium develops power to methanol demonstration project

Inovyn

A CONSORTIUM of seven companies is collaborating on a demonstration plant to produce sustainable methanol for use by chemical companies in Antwerp, Belgium. In this first of its kind project for Belgium, the planned demonstration plant could produce up to 8,000 t/y of methanol, saving at least 8,000 t/y of CO₂ emissions.

Methanol is an essential, multi-purpose raw material for the chemical industry, and it has many applications in wider industry. It serves as a precursor to other chemicals, including formaldehyde which is widely used, especially in polymer manufacture. Additionally, it can be used as a fuel, and it is a promising energy carrier. Currently, methanol is produced using fossil-based raw materials, emitting CO₂ in the process.

Inovyn

The Power to Methanol project will produce methanol using captured CO₂ and hydrogen (H₂) generated using renewable energy. Carbon capture and utilisation will enable partial recovery of CO₂ emissions. For each tonne of methanol produced, at least one tonne of CO₂ emissions would be avoided.

The consortium is conducting a joint feasibility study ahead of committing to the construction of an 8,000 t/y demonstration plant. If successful, a plant would be built at Inovyn’s chemical manufacturing complex at Lillo in Antwerp. Consortium partner Inovyn is a chemical manufacturing company owned by Ineos.

In addition to a site for the plant, Inovyn will provide its expertise in hydrogen production and electrolysis. Hydrogen can be produced via electrolysis of water, a process which uses electricity to split water into H₂ and oxygen. For renewable production, the electricity is produced using renewable energy sources.

Methanol produced at the demonstration plant would used by chemical companies in the Port of Antwerp, home to Europe’s largest integrated chemical and energy cluster. Future developments could see an increase in the output volume of the sustainable methanol plant for use by wider industry, including as a sustainable fuel for marine and road transport.

Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in 2022, with operationality expected in the same year. The partners have not disclosed the cost of the plant.

Hilde Crevits, Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation, Work, Social Economy and Agriculture, commented: “Innovation is essential for the transition to a sustainable, circular economy. But collaboration is also crucial. The consortium demonstrates that by combining the know-how and expertise of different partners we can get a whole lot moving.”

Government-owned investment company Flemish Environmental Holding (VMH) is a partner is the consortium and will contribute financing to the project.

The other partners in the consortium are French electric utility company ENGIE; Indavar, which operates specialist facilities and smart systems for waste management; Oiltanking, which provides tank storage logistics services; independent gas infrastructure group Fluxys; and the Port of Antwerp, Europe’s second largest port.

ENGIE will contribute its knowledge of the electricity market, as well as its technical knowhow in electrolysis and CO₂ capture; Indavar will provide CO₂ storage expertise; Oiltanking will contribute logistical knowledge on handling, storing, and transporting methanol and other associated aspects; Fluxys will bring its infrastructure expertise and specific expertise regarding green gas certification; Port of Antwerp will act as a bridge between private companies and the Belgian Government.