Celanese Launches CCU Operations in Texas to Manufacture Low-Carbon Methanol

Celanese Corporation, a leading specialty materials and chemical company, has initiated the operation of a carbon capture and utilization (CCU) project at its Clear Lake site in Texas. This endeavor is a crucial component of the Fairway Methanol joint venture, in collaboration with Mitsui & Co. of Japan, and is anticipated to yield 130,000 metric tonnes of low-carbon methanol annually. The innovative project is designed not only to enhance methanol production but also to capture and repurpose 180,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) industrial emissions, marking a significant stride in sustainable practices.

The Fairway Methanol joint venture underscores Celanese's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint by employing CCU technology. This initiative aligns with broader environmental goals, contributing to the global effort to address climate change and promote circular solutions. By leveraging CCU, Celanese aims to offer low-carbon alternatives within its acetyl chain and engineered materials products, responding to the rising demand for eco-friendly and circular solutions in the market.

Mark Murray, Senior Vice-President of Acetyls at Celanese, highlights the transformative nature of the project, emphasizing its role in converting CO2 waste into valuable products that cater to diverse end-markets. Consumer goods such as adhesives, packaging, toys, paints, coatings, and more will benefit from the creation of these sustainable products. The new product line, branded as ECO-CC, will be meticulously supported through mass balance tracking and life cycle assessment processes, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain.

The CCU process employed by Celanese involves capturing industrial emissions, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere by both Celanese and external sources. These emissions undergo a chemical conversion, facilitated by reduced carbon-intensity hydrogen, resulting in a methanol bulking block for downstream production. The introduction of low-carbon inputs derived from this process allows Celanese to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuel-based raw materials, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious production cycle.

Importantly, 80% of the captured CO2 waste originates from third-party sources, showcasing Celanese's commitment to addressing emissions beyond its own operations. Mark Murray emphasizes the company's global integration and value chain, enabling the provision of carbon capture solutions across various product lines, including acetal copolymers like POM.

The broader context of the methanol market's evolution is also highlighted, with OCI Global, a major player in green methanol production, announcing plans to double its production capacity to meet escalating demand. The growth projections are fuelled by the increasing adoption of green methanol as a shipping fuel, evidenced by a surge in orders for dual-fuelled methanol vessels.