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The recent decision by the European Commission to exclude the certification of biomethane and biomethane-based fuels produced through a mass balance chain of custody in third-party countries outside the EU gas grids within the Union Database (UDB) will severely limit the use of these fuels, such as bioethanol.
Considering their significance in decarbonizing maritime transport, the Methanol Institute and its partner SEA-LNG, critical representatives of the methanol and liquified natural gas industries, are calling for immediate action from the Commission to discuss necessary amendments.
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As key players in the e-fuels sector, Methanol Institute and partners urge the European Commission to revise the provisions on the use of unavoidable industrial CO2 in the production of RFNBOs, according to the current review clauses. This letter therefore proposes a sequenced way to define and authorize the valorization of unavoidable industrial CO2 after 2040 in order to address the growing demand for CO2 without resorting to imports.
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Urgent call for recognizing imports of biomethane and biomethane-based fuels under the Union Database (UDB).
In a critical move for sustainability and energy security, we, at the Methanol Institute, alongside 45 other signatories, are urgently calling for the the European Commission’s immediate action to recognize imported biomethane and biomethane-based fuels, including biomethanol, within the UDB.
The Union Database is meant to be a global traceability tool for tracing liquid and gaseous transport fuels that are eligible for being counted towards the share of renewable energy in the transport sector in the EU. Despite the European Commission’s commitment to sustainability, its current stance – set to exclude these vital green fuels from certification if transported via extra-EU grids – poses a significant threat to Europe’s collective energy transition goals.
These biomethane-based fuels, like biomethanol, compliant with stringent sustainability and GHG emission standards equivalent to those within the EU, are fundamental in Europe’s drive towards a greener future. Restricting their recognition due to transport methods could discourage investments, diminish market attractiveness, and ultimately, hamper our progress towards the 2040 climate goals as outlined in the Fit for 55 package.
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The Methanol Institute and its partners urge the EU to include CCU as a key net-zero technology in the NZIA, vital for EU climate goals and producing renewable fuels and sustainable materials. Recognizing CCU will catalyze emission reduction, carbon circularity, and investment certainty in Europe.
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MI and 44 associations call on policymakers to consider incorporating a gas decarbonisation target in the EU’s Hydrogen and Gas Package, including an ambitious binding objective for #biomethane scaleup.
We welcome that this legislation already addresses regulatory barriers, defines incentives for the deployment of biomethane, and references the non-binding objective of 35 billion cubic meters (bcm) of  biomethane by 2030.
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The CO2 Emission Standards for Heavy Duty Vehicles as proposed by the Commission, rely solely on the electric power train to attain climate objectives, neglecting the fact the electricity is only as pure as its power source. In its position, the Methanol Institute calls for balanced climate policies for heavy-duty mobility, calling for the recognition of the contributions of renewable fuels in the segment and a transition away from the high-risk strategy of relying solely on one technology solution.

MI’s position paper proposes modifications to the European Commission’s proposal to enable the energy transition of heavy-duty mobility in a technology-neutral manner.

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As part of a coalition of industry leaders, including CEWEP, eFuel Alliance, Eurogas, ESWET, Fertilizers Europe, FuelsEurope, the Methanol Institute jointly sent a letter to the European commission, Council of the EU and European Parliament regarding the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA).

Our aim is to ensure that the definition of Sustainable Alternative Fuels within the NZIA aligns with key EU policies on transport and fuels. By doing so, we can unlock the potential for innovation and transition to renewable, low-carbon solutions within the industrial sector.

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MI has released its response to the European Union’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA). The NZIA is a component of the EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan, which is the bloc’s response to the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The purpose of the NZIA is to increase the competitiveness and resilience of the EU’s net-zero technology industrial base, which will make up the backbone of an affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean energy system.

MI’s position paper presents a comprehensive breakdown of the Methanol Institute’s views on key elements of the package and provides policy recommendations on behalf of the global methanol sector.

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