Reducing emissions in the marine sector: Official launch of the M2ARE project for low-carbon methanol

Air Liquide, together with MAN Energy Solutions and ETA Florence Renewable Energies have announced the launch of their 'Maritime Methanol' project under the name of M²ARE.

The aim of M²ARE is to develop and demonstrate a new grade of low-cost and low-carbon methanol for the shipping sector using biogenic CO₂ and renewable H₂.

The methanol is expected to have a CO₂ emission reduction of more than 80% compared to conventional maritime fuels on a well-to-wake basis (the entire process of fuel production, delivery and use onboard ships, and all emissions produced therein). The project is a response to the high demand for decarbonised maritime fuels and it aims to have a methanol synthesis demonstration plant operational in Frankfurt by mid-2027.

M²ARE has listed a few projected outcomes in their press release:

• "The assessment and qualification of bio-CO₂ from sources such as biogas, biomass combustion, bioethanol, and pulp & paper plants for their feasibility in the methanol synthesis. 
• An improved methanol process using a new reactor system based on process intensification and a simplified methanol purification. 
• A unique process to convert bio-CO₂ with fluctuating H₂ coming from renewable energy sources into flexible grades of Maritime Methanol that will be validated through a series of engine tests. 
• A digital model of the whole value chain from CO₂ and H₂ through to the maritime fuel will be developed to de-risk the technology and boost its scale-up."

With a consortium possessing broad expertise across the value chain (also in cooperation with academic partners from CERTH, Sant’Anna, LRGP and TU Delft), the M²ARE project strives to push technological boundaries, contributing to economic and environmental targets for low-carbon methanol in the maritime sector.