German consortium produces e-methanol from wastewater

A German city is producing methanol for ships from wastewater in a world-first.

A consortium consisting of the climate technology startup ICODOS, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the Mannheim Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (EBS) have overseen the project called Mannheim 001 which sees biogas is produced at the Mannheim wastewater treatment plant processed, purified and, in combination with electricity and hydrogen, converted into methanol.

“We are proud to present the world’s first plant that uses electricity to convert wastewater into sustainable marine fuel,” said Dr Vidal Vazquez, technical director of ICODOS .

“This technology will transform the shipping industry for good and make a decisive contribution to reducing CO2 emissions,” added David Strittmatter, commercial director of ICODOS.

“To achieve our “Mannheim 001 demonstrates how economic efficiency and climate protection can go hand in hand. This project can serve as a model for many other locations in Germany and Europe,” said federal transport minister Dr Volker Wissing.