EUBCE 2026 - Nils RETTENMAIER - Powering The Future: How Biogas and Electrification Redefine Methanol’s Environmental Impacts

Powering The Future: How Biogas and Electrification Redefine Methanol’s Environmental Impacts

Short Introductive summary

Defossilising methanol production is essential for achieving net-zero climate targets. A promising approach is to replace natural gas with biomethane and to electrify the process. To assess the environmental impacts of future renewable methanol production, a screening-type prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) was conducted for four pathways differing in their use of biogenic carbon and renewable electricity. Relevant environmental impacts of three biogas-based pathways and one pathway based on captured CO2 and renewable H2 were compared to those of fossil methanol. Results show that biogas-based pathways already outperform fossil methanol by 2030 in terms of carbon footprint, and all renewable options become clearly advantageous by 2050. Process electrification, heat integration, efficient use of chemical energy contained in biogenic carbon sources, and direct emission mitigation emerge as key levers for reducing impacts. Given limited resources, future methanol production should combine several renewable pathways. Prospective LCA proves a valuable tool for guiding technology decisions towards climate-neutral, resource-efficient methanol production.

S. Haertlé, IFEU - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg, GERMANY
N. Rettenmaier, IFEU - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg, GERMANY
H. Keller, IFEU - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg, GERMANY
G. Reinhardt, IFEU - Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg, GERMANY