South Korean renewable energy company Biofriends and local biogas producer Cheongmyeong have signed an agreement to build the country’s first commercial-scale biomethanol plant, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The new facility, which will be fed by biogas from Biofriends’ Gunsan digester, is expected to produce between 60,000 and 80,000 tonnes of biomethanol annually. Around 120,000Nm³ of domestically generated biogas will be converted each year using Biofriends’ synthesis gas technology.
The project aims to help the maritime industry cut its dependence on fossil fuels as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) tightens decarbonisation rules. The biomethanol will mainly be supplied to methanol-powered vessels operating in South Korea, strengthening the country’s shipping sector as it adapts to low-carbon standards.
Part of the output will also be converted into dimethyl ether (DME), a cleaner-burning fuel that emits less sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide. The DME will be blended with LPG, making use of existing infrastructure while reducing overall carbon emissions.
The announcement comes as South Korea prepares for its first biomethanol bunkering operations. In September, Japanese shipping group NYK is expected to fuel a methanol-capable dry bulk carrier with biomethanol at Ulsan port.
The Biofriends–Cheongmyeong partnership has drawn support from a wide range of domestic players, including Hyundai, Korea East-West Power, Ssangyong Engineering and Construction, Plagen, LF Energy, Hanbit Energy, S-Tech Korea, Optimum Trading and Infra Frontier Asset Management.
