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Methanol Institute appoints new Brussels team to drive European operations

Team’s primary focus will be on strengthening MI’s engagement with EU institutions and managing MI’s relationship with IMO, following MI achieving Consultative Status with IMO recently.

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Methanol Institute appoints new Brussels team to drive European operations

The Methanol Institute (MI) recently announced the appointment of a new team to lead its European operations from its Brussels office. 

Effective immediately, the team will be spearheaded by Tim Eestermans as Managing Director Europe, Dr. Richard Burchill as Director for Research Strategy & Knowledge Exchange Europe, and Rik Servais as Director for Government Affairs & Institutional Strategy Europe.

Their primary focus will be on strengthening MI’s engagement with European Union institutions and managing MI’s relationship with the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Notably, MI has recently achieved Consultative Status with the IMO, marking a significant milestone for the organization.

The newly appointed team, that will report to MI’s Brussels-based COO Alexander Döll, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to MI’s European operations. 

Tim Eestermans is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in governmental and corporate settings across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Dr. Richard Burchill is a renowned expert in international and EU law, with nearly 30 years of experience in navigating international organizations, including the UN system. 

Rik Servais offers over 20 years of specialized knowledge in EU government relations, having worked at the heart of EU decision-making in Brussels.

Gregory Dolan, CEO of the Methanol Institute, said: “We are thrilled to introduce the new leadership team for our Brussels office. Their extensive experience and deep expertise will be invaluable as we continue to foster critical relationships within the European Union and the International Maritime Organization.”

“Their leadership marks a new chapter for MI, and we are confident that their combined skills will drive our mission forward with renewed vigor.”

Ben Iosefa, Methanex executive and chair of the MI Board of Directors, said: ‘’The European Union plays a pivotal role in shaping regulatory and policy frameworks that impact the global methanol industry. Our new team in Brussels is uniquely positioned to enhance our engagement with EU institutions and advocate for policies that support our mission. Their collective expertise will be instrumental in navigating the complex European landscape and advancing our strategic objectives. With our growing membership of 100 global entities, this leadership team will be instrumental in driving our continued growth and amplifying our impact.’’

This team, seconded from MacroScope Strategies (M2S)—a boutique government affairs firm with offices in The Hague, Berlin, Brussels, and Abu Dhabi—brings additional strategic advantages. 

M2S is renowned for its expertise in diplomatic support, market intelligence, and geopolitical analysis, assisting multinational entities in navigating complex regulatory and political landscapes. Under this agreement, M2S will also provide monitoring services and scenario-building exercises to support MI’s European initiatives.

With this new team and strategic partnership, MI will elevate its European operations and further its mission to advance the methanol industry’s interests across Europe and beyond.

Related: IMO grants consultative status to Methanol Institute

 

Photo credit: Methanol Institute
Published: 23 September, 2024

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Methanol

CRI delivers world’s largest e-methanol reactor to Liaoyuan project in China

First phase of the project has a production capacity of 170,000 mt of renewable methanol annually, supporting demand for low-carbon fuels in shipping, chemicals, and other sectors.

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CRI delivers world’s largest e-methanol reactor to Liaoyuan project in China

Carbon Recycling International (CRI) has recently delivered the largest of its kind e-methanol reactor for the Liaoyuan E-Methanol Project in Jilin Province, China. 

CRI, a company that develops and deploys technology that converts carbon dioxide emissions into renewable methanol, said the delivery and successful installation of CRI’s proprietary methanol converter reactor is a major construction milestone. 

“The project continues to progress according to plan toward commissioning and start-up later this year,” it said. 

The Liaoyuan project is being developed by CRI’s client Tianying Group (CNTY) and once commissioned will become the largest e-methanol facility in operation globally. 

The first phase has a production capacity of approximately 170,000 metric tonnes (mt) of renewable methanol annually from green hydrogen and captured biogenic carbon dioxide, supporting the growing demand for low-carbon fuels in shipping, chemicals, and other sectors seeking practical and scalable pathways to decarbonisation.

The methanol converter reactor forms the core of CRI’s proprietary Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) technology. Designed and supplied by CRI, the reactor is where renewable hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide are converted into renewable methanol through the company’s proven industrial-scale process. It has been specifically designed and constructed with operational flexibility as a key feature and represents the third generation of CRI’s e-methanol reactor design.

The successful installation represented a significant construction milestone and marked the transition to the final stages of project execution.

“The installation of the methanol converter reactor is an important milestone for both Tianying and CRI,” said John Milner, Project Manager at Carbon Recycling International. 

“The reactor is the core of our ETL technology and embodies nearly two decades of innovation, engineering development, and commercial operating experience. Seeing this equipment installed at one of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy projects is a proud moment for our team and a major milestone as the Liaoyuan facility advances toward commissioning and start-up.”

CRI’s technology is already deployed at commercial scale at the company’s reference plants in Anyang and Lianyungang, and the Liaoyuan project represents the next step in the continued deployment of carbon recycling technology to support the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

 

Photo credit: Carbon Recycling International
Published: 7 July, 2026

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German bunker supplier Heinrich Wegener & Sohn joins Global Ethanol Association

Both will advance the development of ethanol and methanol bunkering by fostering collaboration across the maritime value chain.

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German bunker supplier Heinrich Wegener & Sohn joins Global Ethanol Association

Heinrich Wegener & Sohn, a family-run German company that supplies marine fuels and lubricants to the shipping industry, recently joined Global Ethanol Association as its newest member. 

With a long-standing reputation in maritime logistics and bunkering, the association said Heinrich Wegener & Sohn brings valuable expertise and industry leadership at a time when demand for low-carbon marine fuels is accelerating.

“Together, we look forward to advancing the development of ethanol and methanol bunkering by fostering collaboration across the maritime value chain, supporting infrastructure development, and helping enable the transition to cleaner, more sustainable shipping,” it said. 

The company, founded in 1929, focuses on the supply of marine diesel, gas oil, methanol, and certified biofuels in accordance with the RED II directive.

As a German reseller for Gulf Oil Marine, the company supplies marine lubricants to over 380 ships worldwide on a contract basis.

 

Photo credit: Heinrich Wegener & Sohn
Published: 7 July, 2026

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Methanol

OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

“OOCL Wisdom” completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port on 3 July.

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OOCL dual-fuel boxship completes first green methanol bunkering op at Qingdao Port

​International container transportation and logistics company Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) on Friday (3 July) said its first methanol dual-fuel containership, OOCL Wisdom, completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage at Qingdao Port.

OOCL Wisdom is the first in a series of seven methanol dual-fuel container vessels. With a maximum capacity of 24,168 TEU, it is currently the world’s largest methanol dual‑fuel container vessel and is deployed on the Asia – North Europe Loop 1 (LL1) service.

Mr. Peter Pan, Director of Trades of OOCL, said: “OOCL Wisdom completed its first green methanol bunkering and commenced its maiden voyage to Europe at Qingdao Port, representing a significant achievement of the deepening collaboration between OOCL and Shandong Port Group, and reflecting OOCL’s steadfast commitment to green and low‑carbon development, digital intelligence and sustainability.”

 

Photo credit: Orient Overseas Container Line
Published: 6 July, 2026

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