バイオメタノール：よりグリーンな未来のための持続可能な化学
バイオメタノールは、化石燃料ではなく持続可能なバイオマス資源から生産される、従来のメタノールに代わる再生可能な選択肢です。数多くの化学製品の重要な構成要素であると同時に、有望な再生可能燃料でもあるバイオメタノールは、より持続可能な化学産業への移行において重要な道筋を示しています。
天然ガスや石炭を原料とする従来のメタノールとは異なり、バイオメタノールは農業廃棄物、林業残渣、都市ごみ、または回収された二酸化炭素といった再生可能な炭素資源から生産されます。この循環型アプローチにより、温室効果ガスの排出量を大幅に削減し、化石資源への依存を低減することができます。
自然の廃棄物を価値へと変える：バイオメタノール生産の歩み
バイオマスから持続可能な化学基盤物質へ。農業残渣や林業残渣を高品質なバイオメタノールに転換する革新的な5段階プロセスをご紹介します。
バイオメタノールの生産
バイオメタノールは、再生可能なバイオマス資源から生産され、複雑かつ多段階のプロセスを通じて、化石燃料由来メタノールに代わる持続可能な選択肢を提供します。
バイオマスの調整
農業残渣、林業廃棄物、その他のバイオマス原料を回収し、処理のために準備します。
ガス化
バイオマスはガス化と呼ばれる熱処理を経て、水素、一酸化炭素、二酸化炭素を主成分とする混合ガスである合成ガスへと転換されます。
ガスの精製
原料の合成ガスにはさまざまな不純物が含まれており、後工程に進む前に除去する必要があります。この重要な工程を経ることで、触媒の寿命と製品品質が確保されます。
メタノール合成
クラリアントのMegaMaxシリーズのような特殊触媒を使用して、精製された合成ガスは触媒反応プロセスを介してメタノールに転換されます。
蒸留
最終工程では、粗メタノールを精製して商品仕様を満たします。
ガスの精製：バイオメタノール生産の障壁を克服する
ガス精製は、バイオメタノール生産における最も重要な課題の一つです。化石由来原料とは異なり、バイオマス由来の合成ガスには複雑な汚染物質の混合物が含まれており、触媒を失活させ、効率を低下させ、製品品質を損なう可能性があります。
ガス精製における主な課題は以下のとおりです。
- 硫黄化合物：通常、バイオマスにはさまざまな硫黄化合物が含まれており、下流の触媒を失活させる可能性があります。
- ハロゲン化物：合成ガス中に含まれる塩化物やその他のハロゲン化物は、腐食や触媒被毒を引き起こす可能性があります。
- 酸素：ガス流に微量に存在する酸素は、触媒性能や耐用年数を低下させる可能性があります。
- 微粒子：微細な固形粒子は、装置の汚損や触媒の失活を防ぐために除去する必要があります。
- タールおよび重質炭化水素：これらの化合物は下流装置内で凝縮し、閉塞や効率低下を引き起こす可能性があります。
効果的なガス精製は、触媒活性の維持、プロセスの安定性確保、および高品質なバイオメタノール生産の達成に不可欠です。
Clariant advanced gas purification catalysts and adsorbents
MegaMax: Superior catalyst technology for bio-methanol production
After effective gas purification, the methanol synthesis process requires specialized catalysts that can handle the unique challenges of bio-based feedstock, perfectly suited to excel in bio-methanol production environments.
Benefits
Enhanced Thermal Stability
The synthesis gas from biomass gasification is CO-rich, which creates a highly exothermic environment. Clariant´s expertise in Partial Oxidation (POX)-based applications, combined with over 50 years of experience in methanol synthesis catalysts, has led to the development of our high-performance MegaMax series. The catalysts have high thermal stability, ensuring consistent long-term performance under these challenging conditions.Superior Low-Temperature Activity
MegaMax catalysts offer outstanding activity even at very low reactor temperatures and pressures. This low-temperature performance is particularly valuable for bio-methanol production, where energy efficiency is crucial for economic and environmental sustainability.
Exceptional Selectivity
The catalyst's enhanced selectivity significantly reduces by-product formation, maximizing methanol yield and improving the economics of bio-methanol synthesis. This is particularly important when working with biomass-derived syngas, which can contain a wider variety of components than fossil-based feedstocks.
High Poison Tolerance
Building on 50 years of industry experience, MegaMax catalysts are engineered to withstand trace contaminants that may remain after gas purification, providing longer catalyst life and more reliable operation.
Lighthouse Project: Bio-Methanol plant Shanghai Electric in China
Clariant is proud to be at the forefront of the green methanol revolution, as demonstrated by our involvement in China's first commercialized biomass gasification-to-green methanol plant. This groundbreaking project showcases Clariant's commitment to sustainable chemistry and the energy transition.
Clariant MegaMax catalysts are successfully operating at Shanghai Electric´s biomass-to-green methanol plant in Taonan, Jilin Province, China. The project is China´s first biomass to green methanol project and the first phase with a capacity of 50,000 tons/y of green methanol commenced successfully in July 2025.
The second phase of the project, with a capacity of 200,000 tons/y green methanol and 10,000 tons/y SAF, is expected to start production in 2027.
The plant uses agricultural waste and green hydrogen from wind turbines to produce green methanol.
Powering the Green Revolution: Clariant's methanol technology for a sustainable future
Norbert Ringer, Clariant's Global Syngas Expert, as he reveals how green methanol is transforming sustainable transportation with zero or negative emissions potential. Learn the key differences between conventional and green methanol, and how industry leaders are building new value chains around these revolutionary fuels.
With over 50 years of catalyst expertise, Clariant's MegaMax™ 900 technology delivers higher activity, longer life, and reduced carbon footprint. See our real-world impact through partnerships like European Energy's green methanol project in Denmark.
Discover our next-generation MegaMax™ 900 DCARB catalyst for CO₂-to-methanol conversion—making truly GREEN maritime and aviation transport possible.
Comprehensive ACT Team Support: From Design to Operation
Clariant's Advanced Catalyst Technologies (ACT) team provides end-to-end support throughout the bio-methanol production journey.
Our experienced technical experts work closely with customers to ensure optimal catalyst performance and plant operation.
Performance prediction and process design
Our ACT team offers sophisticated performance prediction modeling to help customers optimize their process design for maximum efficiency. Using advanced simulation tools and drawing on extensive operational data, we can accurately forecast catalyst behavior under specific operating conditions, enabling informed decision-making during the planning phase.
Our technical experts use sophisticated modeling and simulation tools backed by extensive operational data to forecast catalyst behavior under specific conditions, optimizing process design for maximum efficiency.
On-site technical services
Clariant delivers more than just superior catalysts—we provide complete production support through:
- Expert Catalyst Loading: Our specialists ensure precise installation using proven techniques that maximize catalyst effectiveness and minimize pressure drop.
- Controlled Catalyst Reduction: Our team carefully monitors this crucial activation process to achieve optimal catalyst performance from the start.
- Start-up Monitoring: During this critical phase, our experts provide on-site guidance to ensure smooth operation and fine-tune parameters for peak performance.
Ongoing Technical Support
Throughout the catalyst lifecycle, our ACT team remains available for troubleshooting, performance optimization, and technical consultation.
Digital services
CLARITY Digital Platform: Our innovative tool transforms plant data into actionable insights at the click of a button, optimizing efficiency and profitability.
