Green methanol for shipping and industry: 10.4 million euros for "Leuna100" project

A consortium of Fraunhofer institutes, DBI-Gaste Technological Institute Freiberg, TU Berlin and C1 is committed to Leuna. The Ministry of Transport is supporting the reinvention of 100-year-old methanol production as a green fuel.

Berlin/Leuna - C1, a Berlin-based climate-tech start-up, has launched the "Leuna100" project together with partners including the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, the DBI Gas Technology Institute Freiberg and the Technical University of Berlin. The project aims to produce green methanol for use in shipping and industry. Methanol production is to be made more efficient and sustainable with the help of the novel C1 catalytic process. Over a period of three years, the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) is financially supporting the project with a total of 10.4 million euros.

The climate crisis is forcing an enormously ambitious reduction in_{CO2 emissions}. Germany and the EU have set binding targets for the transport sector and quotas for renewable fuels.

Dr. Kai junge Puring, Project Manager Fraunhofer UMSICHT

Shipping currently contributes about three percent of global CO2 emissions, which corresponds to about 1.1 billion tons of CO2. In addition, harmful air pollutants such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides as well as fine dust are released. The "Leuna100" project is intended to help reduce these pollutants. Green methanol could be used as a climate-neutral fuel in shipping and thus contribute to the decarbonization of this industry.

Existing methanol production is largely based on fossil natural gas or coal, which is associated with environmental problems. C1 has developed an efficient catalyst that enables methanol production from renewable feedstocks such as biomass or CO2. This process is designed to close the carbon cycle and minimize additional CO2 emissions.

We are continuing a 100-year-old success story by reinventing the methanol production process. Our goal is to use regenerative feedstocks on an industrial scale and thus contribute to the development of the Leuna Chemical Park as a green site.

Dr. Christoph Zehe, co-founder of C1

The "Leuna100" project aims to optimize and scale up the various process steps for bringing green methanol to market. Particular focus is placed on the conversion of electricity-based synthesis gas into methanol. By combining these technologies, "Leuna100" aims to achieve efficient and environmentally friendly methanol production. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions and meet the requirements for renewable fuels.

The project will be implemented at the Leuna Chemical Park over a period of three years. Financial support totaling 10.4 million euros from the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport will enable promising further development in methanol production. The funding directive is being implemented in cooperation with NOW GmbH, VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH and the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (Agency for Renewable Resources).

By integrating regenerative feedstocks, the C1 catalysis process and cooperation with renowned partners, the "Leuna100" project aims to achieve sustainable methanol production. This could contribute to a reduction in the environmental impact of shipping, aviation and industry.