On September 4, 2024, it was announced that the Chemiepark in Leuna has successfully produced green methanol for the first time. This achievement is hailed as a significant milestone by C1 Green Chemicals, the operating company, which aims to expand this innovative production process.
Approximately a year after launching a pilot facility, Leuna has achieved a groundbreaking method for methanol production. According to Christian Vollmann, the CEO of C1 Green Chemicals, this method represents a “world first.” He emphasized that cost-effective methanol could serve as a climate-neutral fuel alternative for container shipping.
Traditionally, methanol is produced using heterogeneous catalysis, but this new process utilizes homogeneous catalysis, a major shift in methodology. Vollmann explained that this innovation simplifies reaction conditions significantly. Whereas conventional methods require temperatures of 250 degrees Celsius and pressures of 80 bar, the new process operates at just 110 degrees Celsius and 20 bar, marking a substantial improvement in efficiency.
Looking ahead, the company plans to increase the production scale of this environmentally friendly methanol. A key focus of the ongoing research project is enhancing the efficiency of the facility. The three-year initiative aims to utilize carbon dioxide from industrial emissions and green hydrogen as raw materials for methanol production, thereby closing the carbon cycle and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Chemiepark in Leuna spans approximately 1,300 hectares and hosts various companies that provide thousands of jobs. The “Leuna100” project involves collaboration among C1 Green Chemicals, the Fraunhofer Institute, and the Technical University of Berlin, with funding of €10.4 million from the Federal Ministry of Transport.
Find the original press release in german here.
