INOVYN plays role in ambitious 'Power to Methanol' project at Antwerp
- Methanol is an essential multi-purpose raw material for the chemical industry, with many applications in wider industry. Currently, methanol is produced using fossil based raw materials, which emits carbon dioxide from the process.
- The new ‘Power to Methanol’ project in Antwerp, being announced today, would produce methanol from captured CO2 combined with hydrogen generated from renewable electricity.
- A planned industrial-scale demonstration unit would produce 8,000tpa of sustainable methanol and would save at least 8,000tpa of CO2 emissions every year.
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INOVYN has today announced its role in an ambitious ‘Power to Methanol’ project set up to further investigate options for sustainable methanol production in Antwerp, Belgium.
As part of a 7 strong consortium, comprising leading industrial and business partners, INOVYN will contribute to a joint feasibility study for the production of methanol from captured carbon dioxide and sustainably generated hydrogen.
Subject to the success of the study, an 8,000tpa industrial-scale demonstration plant would be built at INOVYN’s chemical manufacturing complex at Lillo. This would be the first of its kind for Belgium, with the methanol produced being used by chemical companies in the port of Antwerp cluster.
The carbon dioxide is captured by means of Carbon Capture and Utilisation, through which CO2 emissions are partially recovered and then combined with hydrogen generated from renewable energy. For each tonne of methanol produced at least one tonne of CO2 emissions would be avoided.
Comments Geir Tuft, CEO INOVYN: “This is a very exciting project and an excellent fit with our sustainability strategy, which includes pursuing options for alternative energy and the sustainable, lower carbon production of chemicals. Specifically, INOVYN will contribute its expertise in hydrogen production and electrolysis to the project, and has identified a suitable location for the proposed demonstration plant at our Lillo Site.”
In addition to INOVYN, other consortium members include ENGIE, Oiltanking, Indaver, Fluxys, the Flemish Environmental Holding Company (Vlaamse Milieu Holding) and Port of Antwerp.
Future development could see increased volumes of sustainable methanol produced for wider industry use, including as a sustainable fuel for marine and road transport.
ENDS