Clariant and Repsol collaborate on Europe’s first waste-to-methanol plant, converting municipal waste into renewable methanol to advance industrial decarbonization.
Clariant, a global leader in specialty chemicals with a strong focus on sustainability, has announced its involvement in Ecoplanta, Europe’s first waste-to-methanol project. The groundbreaking facility, located in El Morell near Tarragona, Spain, represents a key collaboration between Repsol, Enerkem, and Clariant. Designed to convert non-recyclable municipal waste into renewable methanol, the Ecoplanta project marks a significant step forward in the continent’s transition toward a circular and low-carbon economy.
The plant will employ Enerkem’s state-of-the-art waste gasification technology, complemented by Clariant’s advanced syngas purification catalysts and its highly efficient MegaMax™ methanol synthesis catalysts. Upon completion in 2029, the facility will process approximately 400,000 tons of solid municipal waste each year, producing an estimated 240,000 tons of renewable methanol. This innovative approach will not only reduce landfill waste but also help curb dependence on fossil-based raw materials in industrial production.
Georg Anfang, Vice President of Syngas and Fuels at Clariant Catalysts, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, emphasizing Clariant’s pivotal role in advancing the methanol industry toward cleaner technologies. “We are proud to collaborate with Repsol and Enerkem on the Ecoplanta project, which supports Europe’s energy transition. With decades of innovation in methanol synthesis, Clariant is ideally positioned to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon methanol solutions that are essential for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries,” Anfang said.
Enerkem’s CEO, Michel Chornet, also highlighted the broader environmental impact of the initiative. He stated, “Our participation in Ecoplanta showcases how cutting-edge technology can help tackle two major challenges at once — waste management and carbon emissions. By converting waste into low-carbon methanol, we prevent waste from ending up in landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over the first decade of operation, Ecoplanta is projected to avoid around 3.4 million tons of CO2 emissions.”
Founded in 2000, Enerkem is a recognized global technology leader in converting waste into biofuels and renewable chemicals. Its solutions have gained prominence across industries that face significant decarbonization challenges, including aviation, marine transport, chemical manufacturing, and remote energy systems.
Clariant’s catalysts will play a crucial role in ensuring process efficiency and sustainability throughout Ecoplanta’s operations. Following gasification, Clariant’s trap and guard catalysts will purify syngas by eliminating impurities such as metals, halogens, and sulfur compounds. Subsequently, the purified gas will be converted to methanol using the MegaMax catalyst series, known for its high activity, superior selectivity, and cost-efficiency. These catalysts not only enhance methanol yield but also minimize by-product formation, thus improving both process sustainability and economic performance.
Renewable methanol stands as a key enabler of industrial decarbonization, serving as a drop-in fuel for road and maritime transport and a sustainable feedstock for chemical and aviation fuel production.
