JOHNSON Matthey has teamed up with MyRechemical for waste-to-chemical technologies to commercially develop waste-to-methanol technology with the aim of making a contribution to sustainability.
Methanol is an important intermediate that is used in many products such as resins, plastics, insulation and fibers. It can also be used as fuel for transport and is a potential enabler for decarbonization. Currently, methanol is typically produced using natural gas.
Under the partnership, MyRechemical will integrate the waste-to-chemical technology with Johnson Matthey’s proven synthesis gas-to-methanol technology. MyRechemical is a subsidiary of the green chemical and technology company NextChem.
The overall process includes the gasification of waste, followed by the conversion of the resulting synthesis gas into methanol. The raw material for MyRechemical’s technology is usually municipal waste (MSW), alternative fuels (RDF) or non-recyclable plastic waste (PW), although biomass can also be used. The waste is fed to a high-temperature gasifier, where the gasification process is carried out in a pure oxygen atmosphere. The synthesis gas produced is then cooled, compressed, purified to remove catalyst poisons, and converted to produce synthesis gas suitable for methanol production.
Methanol synthesis would be via the Johnson Matthey methanol cycle. Methanol is produced via exothermic reactions that have a limited rate of conversion and require multiple passes through the reactor to produce sufficient methanol. The crude methanol produced would be distilled to provide the required grade of methanol.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Maire Tecnimont Group and NextChem, stated that “Circular methanol … can be used in higher performing, low carbon fuels for sustainable mobility, for example for the shipping sector, and as a more sustainable product for the chemical industry.
“There is a broad and promising market for such a product that aims to encourage industry to use more sustainable raw materials and avoid the consumption of natural resources. This immediately usable technology provides a concrete answer to these needs. “
John Gordon, Managing Director of Johnson Matthey, added that “alternative raw materials such as municipal waste will play a key role in meeting the net zero carbon emissions targets.”
NextChem is a subsidiary of the Maire Tecnimont Group.
