thyssenkrupp Uhde has been awarded a contract by ENOWA, NEOM’s energy and water company, for engineering services and the supply, design and procurement of equipment for a new CO2-to-methanol and methanol-to-gasoline demonstration plant at ENOWA’s Hydrogen Innovation and Development Center (HIDC) in Saudi Arabia.
The plant is a joint development of ENOWA and Aramco and will use the innovative uhde® green methanol process and ExxonMobil’s fluidized bed methanol-to-gasoline process. The plant will produce 12 tons of methanol and 35 barrels of gasoline per day.
Methanol produced from hydrogen and carbon dioxide can be used as an energy carrier, a hydrogen carrier and a transport fuel, as well as to store electric power generated from renewable energies. It can also be used as a climate-friendly feedstock in the chemical industry for a large range of products, including plastics, paints and varnishes, building materials, clothing, pharmaceutical products and disinfectants.
Dr. Cord Landsmann, CEO thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH: “We are very proud that NEOM has selected thyssenkrupp Uhde to supply the plant due to its advanced uhde® green methanol process and its expertise. This is clearly another proofpoint for our technology and knowledge being an enabler for the green transformation.”
Dr. Guido Daniel, Executive Director Operating Unit Petrochemicals & Polymers: “This project is a milestone for climate protection, as it is the first reference for the uhde® green methanol process, which makes renewable fuels and chemicals possible. We are extremely pleased to be supplying this innovation to ENOWA and the world, and to be contributing to the reduction of global emissions. And this is only the beginning.”
Roland Kaeppner, Managing Director of Hydrogen and Green Fuels at ENOWA: “We value the technology cooperation with thyssenkrupp Uhde and their wealth of expertise and technologies in driving a future green fuels economy. The plant will be a key part of our Hydrogen Innovation and Development Center and produce e-Methanol and e-Gasoline by end of 2025, which will be used for various applications, such as motorsports, off-grid energy and for hydrogen transportation.”
Leading technology for reducing emissions
The uhde® green methanol technology for the production of methanol from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is a key technology for climate protection. By switching from fossil to renewable energy carriers and by using captured carbon dioxide for the production of many products, CO2 emissions can be significantly reduced or avoided. The direct conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol using hydrogen is particularly suitable. The innovative, patented process design offers the greatest possible efficiency and is suitable for both decentralized small and medium-sized methanol plants, as well as for centralized plants for the production of up to several thousand tonnes of methanol per day.
