Germany to host green methanol production pilot plant

A pilot plant using a new catalyst technology for the production of green methanol has been inaugurated at Germany's Leuna Chemical Park.

PHOTO: The pilot plant will be located at the Hydrogen Lab Leuna on the Fraunhofer IWES premises. C1 Green Chemicals

The project aims to use a new production process to enable the production of green methanol using low temperatures and pressure, thereby boosting cost efficiency, the project partners say.

The pilot plant will be located at the Hydrogen Lab Leuna in the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES) premises in the Leuna100 project. The Leuna100 project is backed by a research consortium comprising universities and green tech firms.

A New Process

Conventionally, the green methanol production process combines carbon monoxide and green hydrogen, made using renewable energy, to produce synthesis gas. This synthesis gas then undergoes an oxidative reaction with oxygen in a catalytic synthesis converter, resulting in the formation of crude methanol, according to the Methanol Institute. The crude methanol is subsequently distilled to remove impurities, ultimately yielding green methanol.

The Leuna100 project will produce green methanol in three steps. The first is synthesis gas production, followed by methanol production and finally, the purification of the resulting crude methanol produced into green methanol. Unlike conventional green methanol production processes that require high temperatures and pressures, this technology enables methanol production at low temperatures and pressures, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

The new technology involves homogeneous manganese-based catalysis. The technology enables the ability to control chemical reactions in such a way that it predominantly yields methanol while minimising the formation of unwanted by-products.It was jointly developed by two partners from the project’s research consortium – Leibniz Institute for Catalysis and the Germany-based climate-tech startup C1 Green Chemicals. C1 will provide the reactor for the homogenous catalysis of methanol.

While inaugurating the project, German Minister for Transport, Volker Wissing, said the project is “a milestone for the post-fossil fuel era” for the shipping industry.  

The German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is funding the project through its Renewable Fuels Funding Programme. A total of €10.4 million has been earmarked over the next three years for the project.

By Manjula Nair

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