Brazilian duo wants to produce e-methanol for shipping

Brazilian ethanol producer Inpasa and fuel distributor Vibra will explore the production of e-methanol from ethanol by-products.

PHOTO: Inpasa's ethanol distillery in Maranhão, Brazil. Inpasa

E-methanol, or synthetic methanol, is produced by combining 100% biogenic CO2 and green hydrogen. The biogenic CO2 is typically captured through either bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) or through direct air capture (DAC). E-methanol is virtually free of greenhouse gases and can cut a vessel's CO2 emissions by 95% compared to conventional marine fuels on a well-to-wake basis.

Inpasa said it will study the feasibility of commercially producing e-methanol using biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) captured during the production of corn ethanol as the primary feedstock.

It has, however, not yet disclosed any additional details of the production process or specified a timeline for the project.

In a joint statement, the partners confirmed that green methanol will primarily be supplied to the maritime sector.

“It is a new segment, necessary for maritime transport companies to decarbonize their operations and offer their customers more sustainable services”, says Ernesto Pousada, chief executive of Vibra.

By Konica Bhatt

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