GIDARA Energy and the Port of Rotterdam are pleased to announce GIDARA’s next advanced biofuels facility in the Netherlands: Advanced Methanol Rotterdam (‘‘AMR’). Located in the port of Rotterdam, the plant will convert non-recyclable waste into advanced methanol.

The advanced methanol achieves CO2 emission reductions outlined in the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) and Fit-for-55 frameworks. Renewable fuel will replace fossil fuels, creating significant carbon savings. The Port of Rotterdam Authority has reserved a unique site in the port for this facility.

Converting non-recyclable waste to renewable fuels

Last year, GIDARA Energy announced Advanced Methanol Amsterdam, a state-of-the-art renewable fuels facility that will act as a blueprint for AMR. The two facilities will be identical, utilizing GIDARA’s patented High-Temperature Winkler (HTW®) technology, which converts non-recyclable waste to renewable fuels. This technology has been used commercially in four other waste-to-clean syngas production facilities.

AMR will achieve a reduction of 350,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 eq) of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per year, producing approximately 90,000 tons of renewable methanol yearly by converting 180,000 tons of local non-recyclable waste that is currently being incinerated.

All side streams of the conversion process at the AMR facility will be put to use. The CO2 will be captured and led to local greenhouses; bottom product residue will be used for cement production; other streams like ammonia and salts will be sold and put to use as feedstock for other industries and road salt respectively, creating a circular concept.

The facility is scheduled to start Detail Engineering and Construction in H1 2023, when permits have been received, and start production of renewable methanol in 2025.

Wim van der Zande, CEO of GIDARA Energy: ‘In order to meet the demand for cleaner fuels, GIDARA Energy needs to grow aggressively. With this announcement, we show how dedicated we are to taking on the environmental and waste challenges we are all facing.

As we have standardized our design and modularised our application, we are able to replicate the facility in Amsterdam directly in Rotterdam. The location, quality of infrastructure, and access to a broad network of partners were leading factors in deciding the location of our second facility.

The cooperation with the Port of Rotterdam makes it possible to develop the integrated product value chain from waste to fuel and other valuable by-products.’

Port of Rotterdam CO2 neutral in 2050

The AMR 9 ha site is strategically located at the Torontostraat within the Botlek area of the port of Rotterdam and is connected to feedstock providers, storage terminals, and other companies. The location of the facility was chosen to have an integrated product value chain within a short distance.

The Port of Rotterdam’s strategy is to facilitate the existing industries in reducing their carbon footprint as well as attracting new businesses that fit in the Port Authority’s ambition to be a CO2-neutral port and industrial complex in 2050.

Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam: ‘We welcome GIDARA Energy’s decision to set up this state-of-the-art facility for the production of sustainable methanol in our port. The Advanced Methanol Rotterdam plant matches very well with our long-term vision for the transition of the industry in the port. This development also shows the importance of clear and reliable governmental policies regarding the energy transition. In this case, regulations regarding the use of sustainable transport fuels stimulate companies to invest in plants like this.’

Advanced Methanol

Advanced methanol is a versatile renewable transportation fuel that, amongst others, can be used in the road transport, marine, and aviation sectors, helping these sectors to reduce their carbon emissions and become more sustainable.

One of the main off-takers of the AMR facility will be Finco Fuel Group, a widespread network of sales companies, namely Gulf Bunkering, GoodFuels, Licorne Fuel, Dalergy Group, and Gulf Netherlands. Their businesses are based in the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. FinCo is a major player in delivering various low-carbon energy carriers to the road and marine clients.

Bart-Willem ten Cate; Renewables Strategy & Development FinCo Fuel Group: ‘At FinCo we aim to rapidly increase the share of sustainable, renewable fuels by adding new and innovative products to our portfolio.

The bio-methanol that GIDARA Energy is going to produce at their Advanced Methanol Rotterdam facility converts waste streams into a renewable fuel that we can offer to our clients to replace diesel and fuel oil in shipping, both at sea and on our rivers. An added benefit of bio-methanol is that it improves local air quality.’