How Wastewater and Municipal Waste Can Become Methanol

1. Waste and CO₂ Capture

Non-recyclable municipal waste (including biomass, plastics, and food waste) or wastewater sludge is treated to extract syngas (a mix of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen) via gasification or anaerobic digestion.

2. Hydrogen Integration

Green hydrogen—produced by electrolyzing water using renewable electricity—is added to increase the hydrogen content of the syngas and balance the H₂:CO ratio needed for methanol synthesis.

3. Methanol Synthesis

The syngas is then catalytically converted into methanol (CH₃OH), a liquid fuel suitable for ships. Methanol can be burned cleanly in marine engines or used in fuel cells, reducing both greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions.

4. Circular Benefits

This process not only diverts waste from landfills but also utilizes CO₂ that would otherwise be emitted, contributing to a circular carbon economy.

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Key Projects in Europe

Spain: Ecoplanta in Tarragona

Partners: Repsol, Enerkem, Agbar

Feedstock: 400,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste/year

Output: 240,000 tonnes of methanol/year

Impact: Avoids 3.4 million tonnes of CO₂ over 10 years

Start Date: Expected in 2029

Notable Feature: One of the first large-scale facilities using municipal solid waste for methanol production.

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Denmark: Aalborg Power-to-X Plant

Partners: Aalborg Forsyning, Reno-Nord, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Feedstock: CO₂ captured from waste incineration + green hydrogen

Output: 130,000 tonnes of green methanol/year

Goal: To decarbonize shipping fuel using local waste-based CO₂

Completion Target: 2028

Notable Feature: Integrates waste incineration and electrolysis in one circular system.

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Portugal: Porto Power-to-Liquid Facility

Partners: LIPOR, P2X Europe, Veolia

Feedstock: Waste-derived CO₂ from energy recovery plant

Output: Synthetic eFuels including methanol alternatives (eDiesel, eKerosene)

Potential CO₂ Use: Up to 100,000 tonnes/year

Notable Feature: Supports aviation and shipping sectors with carbon-neutral fuels.

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Italy: Sannazzaro Circular Methanol Plant

Partners: Maire, Eni, Iren

Feedstock: 200,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste/year

Output: 110,000 tonnes of methanol + 1,500 tonnes of hydrogen/year

Technology: NEXTCHEM’s NX Circular gasification

Status: Authorization in progress

Notable Feature: Located at an existing refinery, integrating traditional and green fuel infrastructures.

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Projects in Germany

LEAG Green Methanol Pilot (Lusatia Region)

Partners: LEAG, Sunfire, Fraunhofer IGB

Feedstock: Captured CO₂ from lignite plant + green hydrogen

Purpose: Demonstration of Power-to-Methanol tech

Application: Marine fuels and chemical feedstock

Notable Feature: Utilizes legacy coal infrastructure for clean fuel production.

Berlin’s E-Methanol Research Pilot

Institutions: Technische Universität Berlin, Berliner Wasserbetriebe

Input: CO₂ from wastewater treatment + solar hydrogen

Scale: Small-scale pilot

Goal: Decentralized e-methanol for urban applications, with potential scale-up for transport.

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Projects in France

HYNOVERA Marseille

Partners: Hy2Gen, Technip Energies, Siemens Energy

Feedstock: Biogenic waste and captured CO₂

Output: Renewable methanol and other eFuels

Use: Maritime sector in southern France

Notable Feature: Targets port areas, aligning with Marseille’s green port vision.

GRHYD Dunkirk (Transitioned Focus)

Originally aimed at hydrogen injection into gas grid, but has shifted towards eFuel production using waste gases and hydrogen. Methanol is being evaluated as a flexible maritime fuel option.

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Conclusion

Converting municipal waste and wastewater into sustainable methanol presents a double win: cleaner shipping and reduced waste. Europe is leading with a range of pilot and large-scale projects that combine waste gasification, CO₂ capture, and green hydrogen technologies. These efforts are not only tackling emissions but also proving that circular fuel systems are viable, scalable, and critical for a climate-neutral future in transportation.

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