BASF, Forestal partner on e-methanol production
BASF has entered into a strategic partnership with Forestal de Atlántico S.A. to advance the production of e-methanol, leveraging BASF’s OASE® blue gas treatment technology. The collaboration is centred around Forestal’s ambitious Triskelion project in Galicia, Spain.
Forestal del Atlántico S.A., a Spanish company based in Mugardos, La Coruña, traditionally engaged in services like deballasting, degasification, ship cleaning, and the production of adhesives and resins, is diversifying into sustainable energy with its Triskelion project. This initiative aims to produce up to 40,000 tonnes of green methanol annually by capturing CO₂ emissions from its facilities in Mugardos, La Coruña, and combining it with green hydrogen produced on-site using renewable energy.
The green methanol produced will be utilised both in Forestal’s internal processes and for external sale, replacing fossil-derived methanol and contributing to carbon footprint reduction in industries like woodworking and automotive. This strategic move aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and positions Forestal as a key player in sustainable fuel production.
Under an early disclosure agreement (EDA), BASF will provide technical input for the project’s Front End Engineering Design (FEED), which will be executed by a third-party contractor. This will allow Forestal to evaluate the project’s technical and economic feasibility and facilitate competitive construction bids.
The project will use BASF’s proprietary OASE® blue technology to efficiently separate CO₂ from the exhaust gases of electricity-generating turbines. The captured CO₂ will then react with renewable hydrogen to produce e-methanol—a process that supports decarbonisation and sustainable fuel production.
“This partnership addresses the critical need for innovative solutions in carbon capture and utilisation,” said Torsten Katz, Global Business Director of OASE Gas Treating Technologies at BASF. “By collaborating with Forestal, we are setting the foundation for one of the first plants to produce e-methanol using our OASE technology.”
“By utilising CO₂ captured from our production processes, we are embracing a more sustainable approach to fuel production,” added Andrés Fuentes, CEO of Forestal del Atlántico. “This partnership with BASF not only enhances our capabilities but also contributes to the development of sustainable fuels, particularly in the maritime industry.”
The Triskelion project is backed by a EUR 49 million (USD 53 million) grant from the EU Innovation Fund and represents a major step forward in circular carbon technologies. E-methanol is a more sustainable methanol alternative with applications across shipping, industrial transport, and chemical synthesis.
