Sustainable methanol production via syngas-mediated pathways: a techno-economic comparison
File(s)
Author(s)
Freire Ordonez, diego
Chachuat, benoit
Shah, nilay
Type
Report
Abstract
This research provides a comprehensive techno-economic evaluation of low-cost, sustainable syngas generation and its downstream conversion into sustainable methanol. Investigating the transition from carbon-intensive fossil-based synthesis to low-carbon alternatives necessitated by 2050 net-zero targets, the study benchmarks four primary technological routes - conventional thermocatalytic reverse water-gas shift (rWGS), advanced chemical looping (CLrWGS), plasma-assisted rWGS, and solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC) electrolysis - against the incumbent Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) baseline. By establishing a rigorous and comparable framework, the analysis seeks to identify the dominant economic drivers and the relative resilience of each technology within an emerging sustainable methanol economy. The strategic importance of methanol in this transition stems from its versatility as a high-density energy storage medium and a critical precursor for the chemical industry. Furthermore, sustainable methanol is increasingly recognised as a primary solution for decarbonising hardto-abate sectors, serving as a drop-in shipping fuel to meet maritime emission mandates and a vital feedstock for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) through alcohol-to-jet pathways.
Date Issued
2026-08-01
Citation
Sustainable Methanol Production via Syngas-Mediated Pathways: A Techno-Economic Comparison, 2026
Publisher
Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance, Imperial College London
Journal / Book Title
Sustainable Methanol Production via Syngas-Mediated Pathways: A Techno-Economic Comparison
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Author(s). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License
Subjects
csep
economic
methanol
syngas
Publication Status
Published