Emvolon, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spin-off, and Montauk Renewables have announced the launch of a joint venture to convert biogas into green methanol, following the successful completion of a field demonstration project.
The partnership aims to develop a series of sites with the potential to produce up to 50,000 metric tonnes of green methanol annually by 2030.
The first site to be developed will be the Atascocita Humble renewable energy facility in Humble, Texas. Using Emvolon’s patented technology, the facility will convert a flared gas stream into up to 6,000 metric tonnes of low-carbon methanol each year.
The collaboration marks a shift in biogas applications beyond renewable natural gas and electricity generation. The new focus is on producing liquid green fuels that can help decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping, aviation and chemical manufacturing.
“Montauk continues to expand the horizon of the beneficial uses of biogas,” said Sean McClain, president and chief executive of Montauk. “This partnership opens up exciting opportunities, not only for new projects, but also for utilising waste streams from existing facilities.”
The International Maritime Organisation recently approved net-zero regulations for large ships, driving a surge in global demand for green methanol. The methanol institute estimates the market could reach 14 million metric tonnes annually by 2030.a
Dr Emmanuel Kasseris, chief executive of Emvolon, said the company's platform repurposes internal combustion engines into modular chemical plants, enabling on-site conversion of methane into transportable, low-emission fuels.
“Together with Montauk, we have the ability to not only eliminate flare emissions, but also transform them into sustainable, revenue-generating resources,” he said.
The joint venture intends to commercialise methane that would otherwise be wasted, without requiring new pipeline infrastructure or relying on government subsidies.
