Emvolon and Montauk partner on biogas-to-methanol projects

Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s spin-off Emvolon and renewable energy firm Montauk Renewables have formed a joint venture to develop a series of biogas-to-methanol projects.

IMAGE: A diagram of Emvolon’s technology. Emvolon

Following a successful field demonstration, Emvolon and Montauk are moving ahead with plans to deploy multiple biogas-based production sites, aiming for a combined capacity of up to 50,000 mt/year of green methanol by 2030.

Emvolon’s technology converts methane-rich feed gas into high-quality syngas, which is then transformed into green methanol through catalytic reactions, according to the company’s website.

The rollout will begin with the Atascocita Humble Renewable Energy (HRE) facility in Humble, Texas.

At the HRE facility, Emvolon’s system will process flared gas streams into low-carbon methanol, with an expected output of up to 6,000 mt/year. Additional projects are under discussion across Montauk’s development pipeline.

“The combination of Montauk’s expertise in the capture and refinement of methane emissions with Emvolon’s unique platform that converts biogas into scalable, low-carbon methanol not only helps shape the future of shipping, aviation and chemical manufacturing, it helps shape the economic viability of current and future biogas projects,” Sean McClain, chief executive of Montauk, said.

By Tuhin Roy

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