Connect with us

Methanol

Biofriends to build South Korea’s first biomethanol production plant

Biomethanol will initially be supplied as an eco-friendly bunker fuel for domestic methanol-powered vessels to enhance the competitiveness of domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries.

Admin

Published

on

Biofriends to build South Korea's first biomethanol production plant

South Korea’s clean fuel producer Biofriends on Tuesday (26 August) said it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s biogas company Cheongmyeong on 22 August to build Korea’s first commercial-scale biogas-based methanol production plant. 

This agreement is significant as it marked the starting point for the full-scale commercialisation of eco-friendly fuel production using domestically produced biogas.

Biofriends previously conducted a feasibility study on the possibility of producing from 45,000 tons to 100,000 tons per year. Based on this study, the company decided to build and operate a plant that will produce 60,000 to 80,000 tons of biomethanol per year, using 120,000 Nm³ of biogas generated daily from the biogas digester at its Gunsan plant as a raw material. 

The plan is to apply Biofriends’ synthesis gas conversion technology to increase the added value of domestic biogas while establishing a commercially stable, eco-friendly fuel supply chain.

These advantages are also driving the rise of biomethanol as a means of achieving a low-carbon transition in the shipping industry, particularly amidst the strengthening of decarbonization regulations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The produced biomethanol will initially be supplied as an eco-friendly fuel for domestic methanol-powered vessels. This is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic shipbuilding and shipping industries in line with the global trend toward carbon neutrality in the shipping market, while also contributing to the achievement of national greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Furthermore, a portion of the produced biomethanol will be converted to DME (Dimethyl ether) and used as a LPG-DME blended fuel. DME is considered a clean fuel that emits virtually no pollutants such as SOx and NOx and significantly reduces CO₂ emissions. Furthermore, its similar physical properties to LPG allow for the utilisation of existing infrastructure. When used as a blended fuel, it can significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to achieving Korea’s carbon neutrality.

Na Min-soo, CEO of Cheongmyeong, stated: “In line with the current administration’s key pledge to proactively address the climate crisis for future generations, we will continue to build biogas production facilities that recycle organic waste resources and transform into a specialized supplier of eco-friendly, renewable energy raw materials.”

Cho Won-jun, CEO of Biofriends, said: “The core of this project lies in the Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) process, which converts biogas methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) together to create synthesis gas (syngas), which is then converted into methanol.” 

“This is a first in Korea to simultaneously utilise greenhouse gases to produce high-value-added clean fuel, and it is a technology that is competitive in the global market.

“The success of Korea’s first commercial-scale plant will go beyond mere technological verification and serve as an opportunity to create new markets. It will be a turning point for leading the decarbonization of the shipping and energy industries while simultaneously securing ESG values ​​and business growth.”

 

Photo credit: Biofriends
Published: 27 August, 2025

Continue Reading

Newbuilding

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding delivers third methanol dual-fuel container vessel

Vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of operating on methanol as well as conventional marine fuels.

Admin

Published

on

By

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding delivers third methanol dual-fuel container vessel

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Monday (15 June) said Tsuneishi Group (Zhoushan) Shipbuilding (TZS) has delivered its third methanol dual-fuel 5,900 TEU container vessel.  

The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of operating on methanol as well as conventional marine fuels. 

“Methanol is attracting growing attention as a next-generation marine fuel due to its potential to reduce CO₂ emissions and support the maritime industry’s transition towards decarbonisation,” the company said. 

Building on the successful delivery of its second methanol dual-fuel 5,900 TEU container vessel, the company said TZS is further enhancing its technical expertise and production experience in response to increasing demand for next-generation fuel vessels.

 

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 18 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

SunGas Renewables halts development of US biomethanol project

Company says the decision reflects a combination of factors that affected Beaver Lake’s ability to advance, including slower-than-expected market adoption of low-carbon marine fuels.

Admin

Published

on

By

SunGas Renewables halts development of US biomethanol project

SunGas Renewables Inc. (SunGas) recently announced that it will cease further development of the Beaver Lake Biofuels project, a proposed wood fiber-to-low carbon methanol facility in Central Louisiana near Alexandria.

Beaver Lake’s design contemplated the integration of three SunGas S1000 syngas production systems together with downstream technologies to produce approximately 553,000 metric tonnes (mt) per year of low carbon methanol and geological storage of approximately 1.1 million mt per year of biogenic CO2. 

This combination of scale and low product carbon intensity supported a globally competitive bio-methanol offering, illustrating the potential viability of this technology pathway as decarbonization requirements become more stringent.

“This decision reflects a combination of factors that affected Beaver Lake’s ability to advance on the timetable required, including slower-than-expected market adoption of low-carbon marine fuels (specifically low carbon methanol), uncertainty regarding the carbon capture and storage pathway for the project and clarity on the available regulatory support and financing conditions needed to support a project of this scale,” the company said. 

Robert Rigdon, Chief Executive Officer of SunGas, said: “We continue to believe low carbon methanol can help decarbonize the maritime, aviation and chemicals industries. However, given the current regulatory uncertainty, slower customer uptake and broader financing and infrastructure constraints, we do not believe the conditions are in place to move the project forward successfully. 

“We are grateful to the many public and private partners who supported the project, and today’s announcement does not change our confidence in the long-term potential of SunGas’ technology to produce low-cost, low carbon molecules, including methanol, SAF, other transportation fuels and methane.”

Manifold Times previously reported SunGas Renewables announcing that the Central Louisiana facility would produce green methanol for Maersk.

At the time, the facility was expected to generate nearly 400,000 metric tonnes (mt) of green methanol per year for marine fuel.

Related: SunGas Renewable to build its first facility to produce green methanol bunker fuel for Maersk
Related: Maersk and SunGas Renewables sign letter of intent for strategic green methanol production

 

Photo credit: SunGas Renewables
Published: 18 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Alternative Fuels

Wah Kwong subsidiary appoints Nordic Green Biotrading as European distributor

Nordic Green will have the exclusive right to market, promote, and distribute Venture Energy’s supply of RED Advanced bio-methanol and RFNBO-methanol across the EEA, UK, and Switzerland.

Admin

Published

on

By

Wah Kwong subsidiary appoints Nordic Green Biotrading as European distributor

Venture Energy, a sustainable fuels supplier headquartered in Hong Kong, recently announced the signing of a Distribution Agreement with Nordic Green Biotrading ApS (Nordic Green), appointing the Danish company as its exclusive distributor of renewable methanol across the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

The move marked a key step in expanding Venture Energy’s next-generation marine fuels platform into the European market.

Venture Energy is a subsidiary of Hong Kong shipowner Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, focusing on the procurement and trading of clean fuels.

Under the agreement, Nordic Green will have the exclusive right to market, promote, and distribute Venture Energy’s supply of RED Advanced bio-methanol (bio-methanol) and RFNBO-methanol (e-methanol) throughout the Territory.

“We are delighted to formalise our longstanding collaboration with Nordic Green as our strategic distribution partner in Europe, extending the breadth and quality of our downstream coverage for our supplier network and developing the profile of high-quality renewable methanol producers in the European market.” said Gregor McMillan, Executive Director of Venture Energy.

Deepak Devendrappa, General Manager of Venture Energy, said: “Nordic Green’s track record in local distribution, deep market knowledge, and strong customer relationships across the region’s core bio-blending and chemical sectors make them the ideal partner to bring our ISCC-certified renewable methanol to our customers in the territory. 

“This agreement is another step in the road for Venture Energy as we act on Wah Kwong’s commitment to supporting the energy transition with reliable, sustainable fuel solutions.”

The distribution agreement covers sales within the dutiable area of the EEA, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Venture Energy will continue to market directly into the marine bunkering segment.

Bo Gleerup, representing Nordic Green, added: “This exclusive partnership represents a significant milestone for Nordic Green. Being able to sell Venture Energy’s high-quality, certified, renewable methanol volumes from a range of bio-methanol and e-methanol producers, complement our existing supply network for European road-fuel and chemical producers. This fresh focus allows us to offer some of the most competitive products coming into the market today. We look forward to working closely

with our colleagues at Venture Energy to develop this collaboration and deliver value to our shared customers across the territory.”

Related: Wah Kwong launches clean fuels procurement and trading subsidiary Venture Energy
Related: Wah Kwong clean fuels trading subsidiary and Shenji Energy ink green methanol supply deal

 

Photo credit: Venture Energy
Published: 17 June, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending