Green Fuel Opportunity: eMethanol & bioMethanol – techno-economic study
A techno-economic study assessing the technical, economic and strategic feasibility of developing eMethanol and bioMethanol in the province of Córdoba, in the context of the energy transition and rising international demand for sustainable fuels.
Summary
The Clúster Bioenergías Córdoba, represented by ACABIO Cooperativa Limitada, commissioned a specialized techno-economic study to assess the opportunity to produce green methanol in the province from by-products the local bioenergy industry already generates: biogenic CO2 from bioethanol plants, crop residues and biomass more broadly. Green methanol is a key fuel for the energy transition in shipping, chemicals and aviation, and its global market is growing fast.
The study compared two technology routes: e-methanol (synthesized from biogenic CO2 plus green hydrogen produced by electrolysis) and bio-methanol (via gasification or digestion of crop residues and biomass). For each route, it reviewed the global state of the art, mapped projects in operation, and surveyed technology pathways and the main licensors and technology providers for green hydrogen and methanol.
The work was organized into three sequential activities: Project Management (kick-off, weekly checkpoints), Methanol State of the Art (a review of methanol/biomethanol processes plus a workshop to define production routes) and a techno-economic comparison covering project conceptualization, an assumptions book, value chain optimization and quantitative results to help the cluster make informed investment decisions.
Direct beneficiaries are the Córdoba-based companies currently able to produce methanol: PROMAIZ, PORTA HNOS., ACABIO and BIO4. 437,500 (ARS 33.7M non-repayable grant + ARS 33.7M cash co-funding from the cluster). Strategic goal: position Córdoba as the region's pioneering hub for local green methanol production.
Main objective
Provide the Clúster Bioenergías Córdoba with key techno-economic information to assess the opportunity to produce green methanol (e-methanol and bio-methanol) from existing by-products of its industrial activities, particularly biogenic CO2 from bioethanol plants, crop residues and biomass. The study compares technology routes, maps global projects in operation and delivers strategic recommendations to help the cluster position Córdoba as a pioneer in local and regional renewable methanol production.
Duration:
January 2025 to February 2025 (2 months)
Status:
Completed
Clúster Bioenergías
Made up of companies, cooperatives and institutions, the cluster works to develop bioenergy, open markets and promote the circular economy. It operates as a collaborative space where members share biomass know-how, identify opportunities and co-create solutions with international reach.