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POWER TO METHANOL, FUTUREPROOF INNOVATION IN FUEL AND FEEDSTOCK
POWER TO METHANOL, FUTUREPROOF INNOVATION IN FUEL AND FEEDSTOCK
In 2022 the construction of the Power to Methanol Antwerp plant starts in the Port of Antwerp. The plant has a production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of sustainable methanol, produced from hydrogen generated from renewable energy and captured CO2. A consortium of seven companies is setting up the pilot plant on the INOVYN site, INEOS’ production plant at the port of Antwerp, home to the largest chemical cluster in Europe.
Methanol is an essential raw material that is used by industry in the port and can also be used in transport applications for fuels. Currently, methanol is largely produced using fossil-based raw materials, which emits carbon dioxide from the process.
Saving 10,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year
With the innovative project of Power to Methanol, for each tonne of methanol produced at least one tonne of CO2 emissions will be avoided. A capacity of 8,000 tonnes of sustainable methanol per year, means a CO2 saving potential equivalent to 10,000 flights from Paris to New York and back, or the average annual emissions of 1,250 Belgians.
First for Belgium
Power to Methanol is developing an innovative technique to capture and reuse CO2. The Power to Methanol project will produce e-methanol by reusing captured CO2 in combination with hydrogen. This puts the production of e-methanol on a new track and is thus a first for Belgium. The plant will start operations by the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.
Plug & play
The plant will be built in the former fuel cell demo area on the INOVYN site in Lillo, providing an ideal plug & play site for the innovative project. The INEOS-company is an expert in the field of electrolysis and operation of chemical plants. Combined with the expertise of the other consortium partners from various sectors, all the knowledge and experience are available to make this project a success. The location also provides a high level of flexibility both on feedstock input, process capability, output and applications – key factors for the challenging project.
Futureproof product
Methanol or CH3 OH is the simplest alcohol chemical. It is formed of hydrogen, oxygen and a single carbon atom and is therefore a sustainable petrochemical feedstock and fuel. When made from renewable feedstocks as Power to Methanol is doing, methanol becomes a net carbon-neutral product.
Methanol is being employed around the globe in many innovative applications. e-methanol can be used to fuel ships, trucks or cars in an environmentally friendly way with its clean-burning properties and
lower emissions. In the chemical industry methanol serves as a basic product for a wide range of end products such as building materials, lightweight parts for cars or medical equipment.
Support by Flemish Government
The Flemish Government supports the innovative project by providing funding of €1 million and the project is also one of the Important Projects of Common European Interest that received co-financing. The Power to Methanol plant is an important link in the transition to CO2 storage and reuse and on the road to climate neutrality. The project shows in a very practical and innovative way the importance of industrial symbiosis as part of the energy transition. Power to Methanol is an initiative of ENGIE, Fluxys, Indaver, INOVYN-INEOS, Oiltanking, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Participatie Maatschappij Vlaanderen. Combining know-how and best practices from all these sectors ensures a successful outcome for the exciting project.
Power to Methanol Antwerp partners:
POWER TO METHANOL