Maritime Methanol: Adaptable, Renewable and Environmentally-friendly

ongoing

The M²ARE project develops and demonstrates a novel process for “Maritime Methanol”, a new grade of low-cost green methanol based on biogenic CO2 and renewable H2, to support the needs of the global shipping sector to reduce their CO2 emission. The highlights of the M²ARE project: Assessment and qualification of bio-CO2 from different sources (biogas, bioethanol, pulp & paper, combustion, …) for its feasibility in the methanol synthesis, thus increasing the feedstock base for Maritime Methanol. An improved methanol process using a new reactor system based on process intensification and a simplified methanol purification will be demonstrated. The new process is uniquely suited to convert bio-CO2 compositions with fluctuating H2 supply to flexible grades of Maritime Methanol which will be further optimised in its composition and validated through a series of engine tests. A digital model of the whole value chain from CO2/H2 to the maritime fuel will be developed to de-risk the technology and boost its scale-up by assessing and optimizing different geographical scenarios as basis for the deployment roadmap. M²ARE is committed to deliver by mid 2027 a European “Maritime Methanol” process (at TRL 7) providing >80% CO2 emission reduction compared to fossil maritime fuels and >10% TCO savings compared to state-of-the art green methanol technologies. M²ARE consists of a powerful and capable consortium with diverse expertises around the value chain: Air Liquide as world-leader in methanol technology, MAN as world leader for methanol-fueled maritime engines and Maersk as the world’s largest shipping company will provide industrial perspectives, while academic partners from Greece (CERTH), Italy (SSSA Pisa), France (LRPG) and The Netherlands (TU Delft) will contribute with unrivaled scientific expertise in catalyst testing, digital tools, reactor simulation and Life Cycle Assessment. Finally, ETA Florence will guarantee top-level dissemination of the project results.