Johnson Matthey technology has been selected by Guangdon Liquid Sunshine for a planned biomethanol plant to be built in Guangxi Province, China.
The project is among the first wave of commercial projects designed to support early adopters decarbonising maritime fuel, the companies said. The plant will demonstrate new technologies in gasification as well as the integration of renewable power systems. Johnson Matthey’s technology converts syngas, which can be made from a number of feedstock sources including waste biomass, into biomethanol.
Johnson Matthey added that the project represents the second green methanol plant license win in China for the JM Catalyst Technologies business.
“Our world leading methanol synthesis technology will play an increasingly vital role as the site eventually integrates biomethanol with e-methanol production. Once operational, this refinery will help meet the growing demand for fuel and energy security in the marine industry,” said Alberto Giovanzana, CEO of Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey.
Construction is expected to start during this year, with the first phase set to have a capacity of 75 000 tonne/year. A second phase is planned, and if approved, this facility will use the excess carbon dioxide from the first plant. This will be combined with electrolytic hydrogen to produce e-methanol. The second facility will also increase capacity for low carbon methanol production without the need for additional biomass feedstock.
Liquid Sunshine is also co-developing biomass dual fluidised bed chemical chain gasification technology with the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This new bio gasification process technology will be applied in the project, the company said.
Xi Jiang, executive president of Liquid Sunshine said: “We are delighted to have JM’s technical expertise on board as we develop a world-class biomethanol plant. For us this collaboration marks an important starting point for deeper partnerships with global technology leaders, such as JM, enabling both parties to actively explore domestic and international green energy markets and foster innovation.”
The new facility will be developed with the Tiandong County People’s Government, and China Coal Guangxi New Energy. East China Engineering Science and Technology Co (ECEC) is also a ‘key project partner’ in engineering. Johnson Matthey, which has worked in China for more than 30 years, Liquid Sunshine and ECEC have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on future projects focused on advancing decarbonisation.
China’s most recent five-year plan - 2026-2030 - aims to accelerate the country’s green transition, which includes the production of advanced green fuels such as methanol, ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel.
Further reading:
- World’s largest butanediol facility to use Johnson Matthey technology
- Johnson Matthey methanol technology chosen for US biomethanol plant
- Johnson Matthey wins award for UK-China collaboration on low carbon research
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