Thermax, C1 Green Chemicals, Ankur Scientific collaborate for green methanol in India

Sustainability major Thermax has collaborated with Germany-based C1 Green Chemicals and Ankur Scientific to develop a pre-commercial green methanol production plant in India. The three companies aim to demonstrate the commercial potential of biomass-based renewable methanol in the country.

Under the collaboration, C1 Green Chemicals will contribute its methanol catalyst technology, Thermax will lead process engineering and development, while Ankur Scientific will provide its expertise in biomass gasification. The project will integrate these technologies to convert biomass into synthesis gas (syngas), which will subsequently be processed into green methanol.

The proposed facility will test the technical and operational feasibility of an integrated biomass-to-methanol production process and establish a foundation for its future commercial deployment in India.

“Our agreement with C1 Green Chemicals AG aligns with our vision of advancing sustainable energy solutions through strategic, disciplined innovation,” said Santanu Chaudhuri, Chief Technology Officer, Thermax. “By combining C1’s catalyst technology with our deep-rooted process development capabilities, we are taking an important step towards establishing a viable pathway for green methanol production in India. This pre-commercial facility will enable us to build the capabilities required for commercial scale deployment.”

Christian Vollmann, CEO of C1 Green Chemicals AG, said, “We are excited to sell our first technology licence to Thermax. With its strong track record in building chemical plants, Thermax is an ideal partner to deploy C1’s technology rapidly. As countries seek to reduce their dependence on fossil fuel imports, demand for locally produced, decentralised biomethanol is growing fast. Together with Thermax, we aim to scale C1’s breakthrough methanol technology to meet this demand—first in India and, ultimately, in markets around the world.”

Green methanol is gaining attention as a potential low-carbon alternative for both industrial applications and transportation fuels. It has an established role in the chemicals industry and is increasingly being explored as a cleaner marine fuel, particularly as the shipping sector seeks alternatives to conventional fossil fuels.

However, the commercial viability and environmental benefits of biomass-based methanol will depend on factors such as sustainable biomass availability, feedstock quality, conversion efficiency, production costs and overall emissions.