Johnson Matthey tech selected for one of Europe’s largest e-methanol projects
UK-headed global sustainable technologies major Johnson Matthey plc (JM) has announced that its e-methanol technology has been elected by Reolum Renovables SL (Reolum) for the next phase of its La Robla Nueva Energia (La Robla NE) project. Located in the Spanish region of Castilla y León, it will be one of the largest e-methanol production plants in Europe, planned to be online by the end of 2027.
Reolum Renovables specializes in the development of projects aimed at driving the energy transition and achieving decarbonization. The company focuses on green hydrogen, e-methanol, and biomass-fuelled combined heat and power (CHP) technologies.
The “La Robla NE” e-methanol facility will be one-half of an integrated green energy generation project called “La Robla Green”. La Robla Green comprises two cutting-edge projects – “Roblum”, a biomass energy plant, and La Robla NE, an e-methanol plant.
La Robla NE blends the biogenic carbon dioxide bioCO2 extracted from the biomass plant with green hydrogen to produce e-methanol, with the expectation to produce up to 140,000 tonnes per annum making it one of the largest such facilities in Europe.
This project represents the implementation of innovative business models that are at the core of Reolum’s mission. For this reason, we have been extremely meticulous in selecting our partners. We are very pleased to collaborate with a leading company like Johnson Matthey and firmly believe that we are setting a milestone in decarbonization, said Yann Dumont, CEO of Reolum.
Regional revitalization
E-methanol is seen as an increasingly important product in decarbonizing two hard-to-abate sectors – the chemicals industry and heavy transport, like shipping.
The project contributes to the revitalization of a region in northern Spain, previously home to a thermal power plant and a once-thriving coal mining industry.
This region has been designated as part of Spain’s “Just Transition Zones,” an initiative aligned with the European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism to support communities transitioning towards a low-carbon economy while addressing the socio-economic challenges of decarbonization.
The project is being supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a Final Investment Decision (FID) is expected in 2025.
eMERALD methanol technology
Reolum has selected JM’s “eMERALD” technology – a process that converts captured CO2 to methanol – for the project.
JM’s e-methanol eMERALD technology has been proven as a credible route to decarbonize methanol production since 2011.
The reliable and low-risk process has been optimized to achieve significant hydrogen and carbon uptake to fully utilize these highly valuable feedstocks, whilst also minimizing the overall energy requirements and operating costs.
For JM’s Catalyst Technologies business, the Reolum project represents the fifth win since April 1, 2024, contributing to JM’s strategic milestone of 20 sustainable technologies project wins by the end of 2025/26.
Together with previously announced wins, including ETFuels’ planned methanol plant in Texas (TX), United States announced in December 2024, JM has won 15 major energy transition projects since April 1, 2022.
Johnson Matthey’s technology is leading the way in how heavy industries will be able to decarbonize in the coming years. Our eMERALD process and catalyst efficiently convert renewable resources into e-methanol. We’re delighted to hit another of our milestones, working alongside Reolum on a transformational project for the region, said Alberto Giovanzana, Managing Director of Catalyst Technologies Licencing at JM.
What's Your Reaction?
