Inovyn, since 2015 Ineos’ vinyls producing business, is participating in a new sustainability project set up to explore options for the sustainable production of methanol at Antwerp, Belgium.
A consortium of seven industrial and business partners will study the potential of methanol to serve as a more environmentally friendly fuel source and a means of powering chemicals production.
Methanol is an essential multi-purpose raw material for the chemical industry, with many applications throughout the wider industry. Currently, methanol is produced using fossil-based raw materials, which emits carbon dioxide from the process, but it has huge potential to serve as a more environmentally friendly fuel source.
Bringing its expertise in hydrogen production and electrolysis to the project, Inovyn will contribute to a joint feasibility study for the production of methanol from captured carbon dioxide and sustainably generated hydrogen.
If all goes well a new industrial-scale unit will be built by Inovyn to produce 8,000 tonnes a year of sustainable methanol - an investment which would save at least 8,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.
“Innovyn has identified a suitable location for the proposed demonstration plant at our Lillo Site,” said Geir Tuft, CEO Inovyn. This would be the first of its kind for Belgium, with the methanol produced being used by chemical companies in the port of Antwerp cluster.
Future development could lead to increased volumes of sustainable methanol being produced for wider industry use, including as a sustainable fuel for marine and road transport. In addition to Inovyn, other consortium members include ENGIE, Oiltanking, Indaver, Fluxys, the Flemish Environmental Holding Company (Vlaamse Milieu Holding) and Port of Antwerp.