Chemical giant BASF and Spanish forestry and energy company Forestal de Atlántico S.A. (Forestal) have announced a collaboration to advance the production of e-methanol (eMeOH) through innovative carbon capture solutions. The partnership centres on Forestal’s groundbreaking “Triskelion” project located in Galicia, Spain, where BASF’s proprietary OASE blue technology will be implemented for the efficient removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions.

Under an early disclosure agreement (EDA), BASF will share its OASE blue technology, specifically designed for CO2 capture from flue gases, to be integrated into the Triskelion project’s design. The planned facility boasts a significant design capacity of 156 metric tons of e-methanol per day. The captured CO2, sourced from the exhaust gases of electricity-generating turbines, will then be reacted with renewable hydrogen to produce e-methanol, representing a significant step towards sustainable fuel production.

The EDA facilitates crucial input from BASF during the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, which will be developed by a third-party contractor selected by Forestal. This process will enable Forestal to thoroughly evaluate the project’s technical feasibility, economic viability, and overall vision, ultimately allowing them to solicit competitive construction bids from various contractors.

BASF’s OASE technology is a recognized leader in gas treatment, with its applications in over 500 plants globally. The company has pledged its support throughout the FEED preparation process. Forestal specifically chose the OASE blue technology for its efficiency in separating CO2 from the exhaust streams of electricity-generating turbines, a critical step in the e-methanol synthesis process.

Torsten Katz, Global Business Director for OASE Gas Treating Technologies at BASF’s Intermediates division, emphasized the significance of the collaboration. “This partnership addresses the critical need for innovative solutions in carbon capture and utilization, marking a significant stride towards reducing global emissions,” Katz stated. “By collaborating with Forestal, we are setting the foundation for one of the first plants to produce e-methanol using our OASE technology, entering into an innovative sustainable application area for our OASE blue technology.”

Andrés Fuentes, CEO of Forestal del Atlántico, highlighted the environmental benefits of the project. “By utilizing CO2 captured from our production processes, we are embracing a more sustainable approach to fuel production,” Fuentes said. “This partnership with BASF not only enhances our capabilities but also contributes to the development of sustainable fuels, particularly in the maritime industry.”

The Triskelion project is poised to be a pioneering facility in the e-methanol production landscape, leveraging BASF’s advanced carbon capture technology. E-methanol is considered a more sustainable alternative to conventional methanol and is a key application of carbon capture and utilization. It offers a greener fuel option for industrial transportation, notably in international shipping, and serves as a sustainable feedstock for various chemical processes.