Technology license for blue methanol

As part of the Japanese government’s Green Transformation scheme, two hydrogen producers have been selected to receive subsidies for low-carbon production projects. Out of the overall $1 trillion GX scheme, $51 billion is earmarked for hydrogen and ammonia investments, with the bulk going towards a long-term programme that subsidises the increased production costs. The first two recipients are a Toyota Tshuho-led consortium (electrolytic hydrogen for steel), and Resonac (hydrogen from used plastics for ammonia). In the programme, production projects are required to have the support of a major hydrogen consumer – in Resonac’s case, this is Japanese chemicals giant Nippon Shokubai, who will offtake the ammonia produced from lower-carbon hydrogen.

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has granted approval in principle to SRC for ‘methanol superstorage’, an innovative tank design concept that uses a sandwich plate system technology to almost double shipboard storage capacity for both methanol and ethanol. The approval confirms that methanol superstorage is feasible for the intended application in accordance with the society’s 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels’.