Bio-methanol plant proposed in Estonia to meet shipping demand

Dutch project developer Power2X is studying the feasibility of building a 500,000 mt/year bio-methanol plant in the Niidu industrial area in Pärnu, Estonia.

PHOTO: Aerial view of Port of Tallinn in Estonia. Port of Tallinn

Bio-methanol is produced using sustainable biomass as a feedstock. Organic biomass is used to produce synthesis gas, which primarily consists of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2), through a process called gasification. The syngas is upgraded to bio-methanol by further combining it with green hydrogen.

This process requires little-to-no fossil fuel, reducing its overall carbon footprint. However, it emits CO2 and carbon monoxide, which are naturally present in the waste streams.

In this case, feedstock will be derived from “locally sourced sustainably harvested biomass and residual forestry streams”, Power2X said. Green hydrogen will also be produced at the facility, using offshore wind power as renewable energy input, it said.

Bio-methanol produced at the facility can be used to decarbonise “Estonian ferry lines and shipping and other hard to decarbonize industries”, the company said. Plant operations are expected to begin in 2028.

By Konica Bhatt

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