Carbon Recycling International and JM collaborate to support sustainable methanol

Carbon Recycling International (CRI) and Johnson Matthey (JM) have agreed on a long term exclusive catalyst supply agreement for the use of JM’s KATALCO^TM methanol catalysts in CRI’s Emissions-To-Liquids (“ETL”) designed CO₂ to methanol plants. This combined offering helps meet the urgent need to remove carbon emissions in hard-to-decarbonise sectors of the economy.

Conventional methanol production involves fossil feedstocks such as natural gas or coal. Methanol manufactured with CRI’s ETL process using JM catalysts provides a highly effective route to sustainable methanol from CO₂. This can be recovered from either industrial processes or biomass, such as waste and residues, or atmospheric sources. This technology will provide a vital pathway to achieving net zero emissions by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Methanol is an important raw material used to produce many everyday products including adhesives, pressed wood, pharmaceuticals, clothing and transportation fuels. Making methanol from recycled CO₂ is one of the most effective ways to achieve carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) for the chemical industry. 

Methanol manufactured with CRI’s ETL process meets all standard industrial specifications and can be used in all current methanol applications. As a global leader in sustainable technologies that enable decarbonisation, JM will supply its methanol synthesis catalyst for the CRI designed ETL plants.  JM’s catalyst has been used in all CRI’s plants to date and their successful ten year cooperation will continue with this agreement.

“The need for proven, scaled and commercial solutions to produce sustainable chemicals and fuels has never been more urgent. Continuation of our long-standing cooperation with JM ensures that CRI can further strengthen its leadership in CO2-to-methanol technology and meet the needs of a growing number of clients adopting our flexible Emissions-to-Liquids technology,” said Ingólfur Guðmundsson, CEO of CRI.

“At Johnson Matthey our whole focus is about creating a world that is cleaner and healthier”, said John Gordon, Managing Director, Johnson Matthey. “We believe we have a critical role in decarbonising the way chemicals are produced. We are excited to continue our long standing cooperation with CRI, since 2011, through the development of green methanol, building a cleaner future based on reduced emissions and more sustainable use of natural resources.”

The agreement was effective as of July 2021.