US-based Sandpiper Chemicals plans to build a 1.1 million mt/year blue methanol plant in Texas, US.

IMAGE: Vessel docked at the Port of Houston, US. Port of Houston

The proposed facility will use an auto-thermal gas reforming process combined with carbon capture technology to produce blue methanol from natural gas. Danish engineering firm Topsoe will supply its proprietary methanol production technology.

While blue methanol has a lower carbon intensity than grey methanol, some CO2 is still released during combustion due to methanol’s chemical structure, Topsoe explained.

The project’s first phase targets output of 1.1 million mt/year, though Sandpiper Chemicals has not disclosed a timeline for the project. The company also plans to double the plant’s production capacity in a later expansion phase, according to its website.

“We believe blue methanol is a proven pathway for industries such as maritime shipping to rapidly lower their emissions,” said Henrik Rasmussen, managing director of Topsoe Americas.

“With its advantaged location on the U.S. Gulf Coast, our project is well positioned to meet the needs of our customers, both domestically and internationally,” Rod J. Ragan, chief executive of Sandpiper Chemicals added.

By Konica Bhatt

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