European Energy is now starting to integrate a new type of bio-methanol into its range of green fuels, which is produced using e-SMR (electric steam methane reforming ed.). This is reported by European Energy.
The bio-methanol is produced via e-SMR technology, where renewable electricity is used to convert biogas or biomethane into synthesis gas, which is then converted into green methanol using European Energy's own technology. The heating takes place in electric reactors rather than in large gas-fired boilers, where up to half of the energy is initially wasted. In addition, the reactors use less energy than electrolysis-based e-methanol. The e-SMR technology that European Energy will use has been developed by SYPOX, a spinout from the Technical University of Munich, with which European Energy has initiated a collaboration.
In May 2025, European Energy opened its e-methanol plant in Kassø, which is the world's first large commercial plant of its kind, with an annual capacity of up to 42,000 tons.
European Energy states that e-SMR is not intended as a replacement for European Energy's existing green fuels, including green hydrogen and e-methanol, but as a complementary technological approach, so that the company develops green hydrogen, e-methanol and bio-methanol in parallel to achieve greater flexibility across markets.
- By adding bio-methanol produced with e-SMR, we strengthen our ability to deliver competitive green fuels across different regulatory and market conditions. This is not a change of course, but a complementary path that expands the technological solutions needed to scale green methanol globally, says Emil Vikjær-Andresen, CEO of European Energy.
After more than 80,000 hours of prototypes and field trials in German biogas plants, the first commercial 10 MW e-SMR unit is scheduled for delivery in 2026. With the technology, European Energy wants to make the production of green methanol both more cost-effective and with lower CO2 intensity.
- With SYPOX's e-SMR technology, we can reduce the production costs of green methanol while lowering its CO2 intensity, enabling the shipping and chemical sectors to decarbonize faster, says Emil Vikjær-Andresen.
Methanol plays a central role in the world's energy system and chemical industry, both as a fuel for ships and as a raw material in chemistry. Since most methanol today is based on fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal, the transition to green alternatives is considered to be crucial to achieving climate goals and limiting CO2 emissions, and European Energy already has good experience in this, making them an obvious partner for SYPOX.
- European Energy has unique expertise as a pioneer in the scale-up of green methanol production, and their commitment is a strong validation of our technology. Together, we can accelerate the industrial deployment of e-SMR and make green methanol a competitive global fuel,” says Gianluca Pauletto, CEO of SYPOX.
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