HIF USA and Idemitsu Kosan forge path for eMethanol in Texas

HIF USA, an affiliate of HIF Global, and Japanese energy giant Idemitsu Kosan have initiated a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale and purchase of eMethanol. This agreement, stemming from the HIF Matagorda eFuels facility in Texas, U.S.A., also includes exploring joint eMethanol business development.

The HIF Matagorda eFuels Facility, currently under development, is poised to produce about 1.4 million tonnes annually of eMethanol. This production is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 80-90% for roughly 400,000 cars, 40 container vessels, or 12 billion air passenger miles. Cesar Norton, president and CEO of HIF Global, highlighted the significance of carbon-neutral eFuels as immediate fossil fuel alternatives for existing transportation modes.

“With our ongoing eFuels production at the HIF Haru Oni facility in Chile and other global projects, we’re advancing real solutions for decarbonisation. Idemitsu Kosan’s commitment to eFuels production is pivotal for Japan’s energy transition,” Norton said.

The HIF Matagorda facility, collaborating with Bechtel, Siemens Energy, and Topsoe, aims to produce approximately 300,000 metric tons per year of green hydrogen and 1.4 million metric tons of eMethanol. The facility plans to use about 2 million metric tons of recycled CO2 and 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy for eMethanol conversion.HIF Global has achieved significant milestones at the Matagorda facility, including environmental permits, hydrogen production electrolyzer reservations from Siemens Energy, and selection of Topsoe for eFuels conversion technology. Additionally, the project has secured about 1,000 acres iMatagorda County, Texas, backed by local and state support, including a 10-year property tax abatement.Renato Pereira, CEO of HIF USA, expressed confidence in the project’s progress and the partnership with Idemitsu Kosan.

“Our collaboration is a major step towards commercialising the world’s first large-scale eFuels facility, aiming to decarbonise transportation equivalent to 400,000 cars or 24 billion air passenger miles,” Pereira said.Idemitsu Kosan echoed the enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasising the joint development of the eMethanol business.

This collaboration builds on an earlier MoU between HIF Global and Idemitsu Kosan to expedite eFuels production.eMethanol, a carbon-neutral fuel, is produced by combining green hydrogen with recycled CO2. It is chemically identical to conventional methanol, allowing use in existing infrastructure or conversion into other eFuels like synthetic gasoline or jet fuel.