Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 11, Clariant, a Swiss specialty chemical firm, will supply catalysts for Repsol’s Ecoplanta waste-to-methanol facility in El Morell near Tarragona, Spain.

The plant will employ Canadian Enerkem’s waste gasification method, along with Clariant’s syngas purification catalysts and MegaMax methanol synthesis catalysts.

Following the gasification of municipal waste, trap and guard catalysts will eliminate various impurities. The cleaned syngas will then convert to methanol via the MegaMax series. Clariant indicates that these catalysts improve methanol output while lowering costs. They also provide better selectivity, minimizing by-products and enhancing the efficiency and environmental aspects of bio-methanol manufacturing.

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, stated: “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.”

The Ecoplanta site will mark Europe’s initial facility for generating renewable and circular methanol from waste via gasification. It plans to handle up to 400,000 tons of non-recyclable solid municipal waste each year, yielding 240,000 tons of methanol. Operations are slated to begin in 2029.

In October 2025, Repsol signed an eight-year deal to deliver renewable marine fuels, including methanol from Ecoplanta, to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Supplies will reach vessels from Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises during stops at the Port of Barcelona.

This partnership underscores efforts to advance sustainable fuel options in the maritime sector. The Ecoplanta initiative integrates into Repsol’s Tarragona complex, leveraging current infrastructure for smoother implementation. By transforming waste that would otherwise go to landfills or incineration, the project promotes resource recovery and cuts reliance on traditional feedstocks.

Clariant’s role highlights its expertise in catalyst solutions for clean energy processes. The MegaMax technology, refined over years, ensures reliable performance in syngas conversion, supporting broader adoption of circular chemistry. Enerkem’s gasification approach, proven in Canadian operations, adapts well to European scales, fostering waste diversion and emissions reductions.

Overall, Ecoplanta positions Tarragona as a hub for innovative recycling. The facility’s output will feed into material production and biofuels, aligning with goals for lower-carbon supply chains. Completion in 2029 will enable timely contributions to regional sustainability targets, demonstrating scalable paths for waste valorization across industries.