Methanol is used in huge quantities as a fuel in the shipping industry.
C1 Green Chemicals AG creates something big: Through a new highly efficient catalysis method, it is possible to produce green methanol in masses in an efficient and cheap way and to do an important step into the direction of climate protection. Thanks to its state-of-the-art containerized design, the C1 reactor enables the decentralized production of green methanol at almost any location. Deutsche Welle reports on the innovative company in an exciting radio feature: Green methanol for container ships – DW – 05/01/2024.
But what is green methanol and what purpose does it serve?
Green methanol is one of a number of alternative energy sources and fuels that are becoming increasingly important in view of the climate crisis. While the traditional production of methanol relies on fossil raw materials such as natural gas or coal, it is now possible to produce the world's most widely produced chemical (around 110 million tons per year) in an environmentally friendly way. The "all-rounder" is used as a raw material for chemical products such as polymer fibers for the textile industry, plastics for packaging, adhesives and others, as well as a fuel or fuel additive.
The use of green methanol, which can be produced thanks to increasingly affordable renewable energies based on wind or solar energy, geothermal energy or hydropower, can save gigatons of CO2 every year. Fossil-free green methanol therefore makes a significant contribution to the decarbonization of the shipping and chemical industries.
However, in order for green methanol to be produced in sufficient quantities and at a competitive price, the production process must be completely changed. The conservative mass production of methanol is based on a centuries-old and extremely energy-intensive catalysis process that would only enable economically viable mass production through the use of cheap gas and coal.
If the industry were to simply replace gas and coal with fossil-free energy sources, the production process would become too cost-intensive. This is where C1 AG comes in with its revolutionary catalysis process, which it has developed in quantum chemical simulations and laboratory experiments.