Topsoe to license technology to Sandpiper Chemicals for production of blue methanol plant

The project, when operational, will produce 3,000 MTPD of blue methanol.

Topsoe, a leading global provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition, has been selected as technology provider by Sandpiper Chemicals, for their new blue methanol plant in Texas City, Texas.

Topsoe will license its SynCOR technology that – when combined with carbon capture & storage (CCS) – enables the production of blue methanol. The project, when operational will produce 3,000 metric tons per day (MTPD) of blue methanol.

Demand for methanol is increasing, the IEA estimates that methanol demand is expected to grow to 120-150 million tons by 2030. Today, methanol is primarily used within the chemical industry, but growing demand is coming from the shipping industry as it looks to lower emissions.

Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director of Topsoe Americas, said: “We believe that blue methanol is a proven way for industries, like maritime shipping to rapidly lower their emissions. SynCOR technology in combination with carbon capture and storage is a cost-effective route to produce blue methanol at industrial scale. Topsoe’s collaboration with Energy Allied International has been going strong for almost a decade, and we’re thrilled that they have chosen our technology for their first blue methanol project.”

Rod J. Ragan, CEO Sandpiper Chemicals, added: “Our team has worked with Topsoe on several global projects. Given our history of successful collaboration, Sandpiper is pleased to have Topsoe as our technology provider once again. With its advantaged location on the U.S. Gulf Coast, our project is well positioned to meet the needs of our customers, both domestically and internationally”.

Blue methanol is a critical component of the energy transition. Blue Methanol incorporates carbon capture technology to enable CO₂ sequestration, making it a lower carbon intensity alternative to grey methanol.

SynCOR technology enables methanol production as well as cost efficient carbon capture. SynCOR technology is Topsoe´s proprietary technology based on advanced autothermal reforming principles.