Methanol (CH3OH) is a liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics and fuels. Liquid methanol is made from synthesis gas, a mix of hydrogen, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. These simple ingredients can be sourced from a wide range of feedstocks and using different technology approaches.
Renewable methanol is an ultra-low carbon chemical produced from sustainable biomass, often called
bio-methanol, or from carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced from renewable electricity.
Compared to conventional fuels, renewable methanol cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up
to 95%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminates sulfur oxide and
particulate matter emissions.

Renewable Methanol Webinar

The “Renewable Methanol: A Carbon-Neutral Fuel” webinar organized by the Methanol Institute took place on August 5, 2020. The webinar is organized with the support of presenting companies Clariant, Haldor Topsoe, bseEngineering, and Ørsted.The global transition towards climate mitigation and greater sustainability has inspired a concerted effort from government, business, and society to find viable solutions to lower greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Climate Agreement.
This transition has led to renewable methanol gaining traction as a carbon-neutral solution for multiple industries. The benefits of renewable methanol are manifold. The production of renewable methanol relies on off-taking CO2 from industrial emitters which allows them to reduce their emissions while moving towards carbon-neutrality. Renewable methanol can then be utilized as a carbon-neutral fuel for multiple applications such as land and marine transport vessels to help them reach their own emission reduction goals.
The webinar shares the experiences of companies that are part of the renewable methanol value chain in various regulatory and commercial landscapes. The companies will also shed light on what they believe is the future of this sustainable solution as global industries move towards limiting their impact on their operating environments and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
MI Releases Report on Renewable Methanol
Compared to conventional fuels, renewable methanol cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminates sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions. The report, prepared for MI by ATA Insights, features case studies on renewable methanol production by Carbon Recycling International (CRI), Enerkem, and BioMCN.

Renewable Methanol Webinar
We also discuss the report with speakers from CRI, thyssenkrup on a webinar and in addition answer questions from the audience.
The Players
Around the world, leading companies and research organizations are bringing renewable methanol technologies to the marketplace. Here are some of the “players” leading the renewable methanol revolution. Below you will find descriptions of these players, web site links, and their latest reports/presentations. If you want to join this group, contact the Methanol Institute.
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Advanced Chemical Technologies
Advanced Chemical Technologies Inc. (AChT) has developed a major clean industry infrastructure project. Through AChT’s patents, the project brings together an innovative combination of commercially proven technologies – hydrogen and oxygen production (electrolysis), carbon capture and utilization and low carbon methanol (LCM) production.
The project includes a world-leading 663-megawatt (MW) hydrogen plant, 2,803 metric tonne per day (MTPD) industrial CO2 capture plant and a 5000 MTPD low carbon methanol plant. AChT’s project will deliver large scale reductions of industrial CO2 emission and provide a low carbon base chemical that will in turn reduce the carbon intensity of derivative products including transportation and other fuels.
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Carbon Recycling International
Carbon Recycling International (CRI) captures carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and converts carbon dioxide into Renewable Methanol (RM). RM is a clean fuel that can be blended at different levels with gasoline to meet renewable energy directives. The production process captures carbon dioxide and minimizes emissions from energy intensive industries. CRI’s methanol is compatible with existing energy and fuel infrastructure
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Clariant
Clariant was formed in 1995 as a spin off from the chemical company Sandoz, which was itself established in Basel in 1886. Through our direct lineage, we have amassed knowledge and experience of chemistry and industry spanning approximately 150 years. Clariant expanded through the incorporation of the speciality chemicals business of Hoechst (Germany) in 1997, and the acquisitions of BTP plc (UK) in 2000 and Ciba’s Masterbatches division in 2006. In 2008, we acquired the leading U.S. colorant suppliers Rite Systems and Ricon Colors. The latest acquisition, the highly-innovative specialty chemicals company Süd-Chemie (Germany), was completed on 21 April 2011.
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GasTechno
GasTechno is an alternative energy company helping gas producers create value from small sources of stranded, vented and flared gas. We work with natural gas producers, landfill operators and biogas producers.
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Haldor Topsoe
Haldor Topsoe is a world leader in catalysis and surface science. Based on our industry leading syngas solutions, our methanol synthesis process, high activity catalysts and expert services deliver the highest possible production of methanol from a broad range of syngas, including those from coal and shale gas. Ease of operation, reduced downtime and maximum energy efficiency ensure our customers achieve optimal performance and the lowest total cost of ownership.
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Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey is a specialty chemicals company focused on its core skills in catalysis, precious metals, fine chemicals and process technology. Johnson Matthey’s principal activities are the manufacture of auto catalysts, heavy duty diesel catalysts and pollution control systems, catalysts and components for fuel cells, catalysts and technologies for chemical processes, fine chemicals, chemical catalysts and active pharmaceutical ingredients and the marketing, refining, and fabrication of precious metals.
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Methanex
Methanex is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. That means every day – the world over – Methanex plays a vital role in people’s lives. Methanol is an important ingredient in many of the essential industrial and consumer products that make the world a better place in which to live, work and play.
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NPPD
Only state in the nation served entirely by public power utilities. NPPD is the largest electric utility in the state in terms of gross revenue, kilowatt-hour sales and geographic area served. Public Power’s role is to focus on customers, not stockholders.
- NPPD’s generation portfolio is more than 56 % carbon-free
- NPPD will be obtaining access to H2 fuel source in 2019
- Having H2 fuel source along with access to available local CO2 sources (ethanol and coal plants), provides a potential methanol fuel stock that could be an additional “Green” energy fuel, hydrogen carrier, energy storage source for NPPD customers.
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OCI N.V.
OCI N.V. is a global producer of natural gas-based chemicals and an engineering & construction contractor based in the Netherlands. The Chemicals segment produces nitrogen fertilizers, methanol and other natural gas based products, serving agricultural and industrial customers from the Americas to Asia. We rank among the world’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers with current production capacity of nearly 7 million metric tons in the Netherlands, the United States, Egypt and Algeria. We are also the largest merchant methanol producer in the United States. The Construction segment provides international engineering and construction services primarily on infrastructure, industrial and high-end commercial projects in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia for public and private clients. It ranks among the world’s top global contractors. OCI N.V. employs over 72,000 people in 35 countries.
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QAFAC
Qatar Fuel Additives Company, popularly known as QAFAC, is an outcome of the Nation’s far-sighted strategic plan to diversify its petrochemical base and expand its downstream industries. The Company aims to optimize the utilization of the country’s vast hydrocarbon resources through producing and exporting Methanol and MTBE. Established in 1991, QAFAC is a joint venture between Industries Qatar, OPIC Middle East Corporation, International Octane LLC and LCY Middle East Corp. The Company commenced operations in 1999.
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Renewable Hydrogen Canada
Renewable Hydrogen Canada uses low cost renewable energy from wind and hydro to produce clean, renewable hydrogen.
Transportation of hydrogen is either via methanol as a hydrogen carrier or via injection into the large volume adjacent gas pipeline network.
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