10 Nov 2025

Clariant catalysts will power the Ecoplanta: Europe’s first waste-to-methanol plant

Repsol is building Europe’s first plant to produce renewable methanol from urban waste
The facility will use Enerkem gasification technology to produce 240 KTA of methanol
Clariant will supply catalysts for feed purification and its highly active MegaMax^™ for methanol synthesis

MUNICH, November 10, 2025 - Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, today announced its collaboration in Repsol’s pioneering methanol plant in El Morell near Tarragona, Spain. The Ecoplanta project will be the first of its kind in Europe to convert municipal waste into renewable methanol. The facility will operate using Enerkem’s advanced waste gasification process, supported by a range of Clariant’s syngas purification catalysts and its highly active MegaMax methanol synthesis catalysts. Scheduled for completion in 2029, the plant will use 400,000 tons of non-recyclable solid municipal waste annually to produce 240,000 tons of methanol.

Georg Anfang, Vice President Syngas and Fuels at Clariant Catalysts, commented, “We are proud to collaborate with Repsol and Enerkem in the prestigious Ecoplanta project to support Europe’s energy transition. Leveraging our decades of innovations in methanol synthesis catalysts, Clariant is uniquely positioned to drive the large-scale deployment of low-carbon methanol technologies that will play a decisive role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries.”

Michel Chornet, CEO of Enerkem, added, “We are excited to contribute to the Ecoplanta project and set an inspiring example for others on the path to decarbonization. Our technology not only enables large-scale production of low-carbon methanol and the reduction of waste in landfills but also avoids substantial greenhouse gas emissions. According to estimates, abatement will be equivalent to 3.4 million tons of CO₂ in the first 10 years of operation.”

Founded in 2000, Enerkem is a global technology provider enabling the production of low-carbon fuels and chemicals from waste. Its solutions tackle the challenges of waste management and decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors, such as aviation, marine transportation, chemicals and off-grid energy.

Clariant’s catalytic technologies are perfectly suited to the Ecoplanta process. After gasification of municipal waste, the trap and guard catalysts will be used to efficiently remove all types of impurities, such as metals, halogens, and sulfur species. The purified syngas will then be converted to methanol using the MegaMax series catalysts. Due to its high activity, the catalyst can optimize methanol yield while significantly reducing operating costs. MegaMax also offers enhanced selectivity, which greatly reduces the formation of by-products and thus improves the sustainability and economics of bio-methanol production.

Renewable methanol offers a highly adaptable pathway to support decarbonization across a broad range of industries. It can be utilized as a drop-in fuel for maritime and road transportation and as a feedstock for chemical and sustainable aviation fuel production.

Learn more about Clariant’s MegaMax methanol synthesis catalyst.

Green methanol

MegaMax^™ IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT.

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Notes for editors

www.clariant.com

Clariant is a focused specialty chemical company led by the overarching purpose of “Greater chemistry – between people and planet.” By connecting customer focus, innovation, and people, the company creates solutions to foster sustainability in different industries. On 31 December 2024, Clariant totaled a staff number of 10 465 and recorded sales of CHF 4.152 billion in the fiscal year for its continuing businesses. Since January 2023, the Group conducts its business through the three Business Units Care Chemicals, Catalysts, and Adsorbents & Additives. Clariant is based in Switzerland.

www.clariant.com/catalysts

Building on a 165-year history, Clariant Catalysts is a global and independent manufacturer of energy-efficient catalyst technologies shaping a sustainable future for the chemical industry. We create greater chemistry – between people and planet – by helping to decarbonize our customers’ production processes and scaling up the transition toward zero-emission chemicals and fuels. Through our exceptional R&D and established expertise, our broad portfolio of catalysts and adsorbents provides innovative solutions that range from the oil and gas to the plastic sectors. With more than 2 000 employees at 31 locations, our high-performing teams collaborate with partners and customers across our global footprint.

The products described herein are for methanol production use only. This media release may be accessible from various countries around the world and hence it may contain statements or product classifications not applicable to your country. Statements contained herein may not be applicable to products regulated by the US FDA or Health Canada.

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