Emvolon, an MIT spin-off focused on converting greenhouse gas emissions into carbon-negative fuels and chemicals, has announced a partnership with Montauk Renewables, Inc. The collaboration aims to demonstrate the commercial-scale conversion of biogas into green methanol, utilizing Emvolon’s patented technology. Green methanol production from biogas is said to be important for them. The pilot project is set to take place at Montauk’s renewable gas production facility at a landfill in Humble, Texas, according to the press release.
Emvolon’s technology platform repurposes car engines into modular chemical plants that convert methane in biogas into liquid green chemicals, including methanol and ammonia. These carbon-negative products, which are easily transportable in standard truck containers, offer a sustainable alternative for sectors with hard-to-reduce emissions, such as maritime and aviation. The technology allows Montauk to monetize biogas that would otherwise be flared, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and avoiding costly pipeline infrastructure.
“We’ve successfully demonstrated our technology at our testing facility in Massachusetts, and now we’re focused on scaling up green methanol production,” said Dr. Emmanuel Kasseris, CEO of Emvolon. “This partnership with Montauk is a significant step toward transforming emissions into valuable, revenue-generating products. Our approach eliminates the need for oil pipelines, lowers deployment costs, and accelerates implementation timelines.”
The pilot project is expected to produce up to 15,300 gallons of green methanol annually. If successful, the system could expand to a full-scale commercial operation producing up to 2.4 million gallons per year at similar sites, the press release further added.
Sean McClain, CEO of Montauk Renewables, emphasized the company’s expertise in biogas recovery. “For over 30 years, we’ve been a leader in processing biogas from landfills. By partnering with Emvolon, we are enhancing the economic and environmental value of these projects, creating beneficial products from biogas,” McClain said.
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