What is e-Methanol?
e-Methanol is a synthetic (green) methanol — a low-carbon liquid fuel and chemical feedstock among the e-fuels, cutting lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 60–95%.
About e-Methanol
- Production Pathway: Green hydrogen (water electrolysis powered by solar or wind) combined with captured carbon dioxide (CO2) sourced from biogenic plant origin, Direct Air Capture (DAC) or industrial flue gases.
- Indian Standard: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, notified in 2026 that methanol is “green” if non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions stay within 0.44 kg CO2 equivalent per kg (12-month average).
- Physical Advantage: Liquid at ambient temperature and pressure, so it is easier, safer and cheaper to store and move than gaseous hydrogen, using existing liquid-fuel infrastructure.
Uses of e-Methanol
- Maritime Shipping: Drop-in fuel for dual-fuel vessels; cuts sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions by up to 95% and lowers nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates, aiding International Maritime Organization (IMO) net-zero goals.
- Chemical Feedstock: Building block for formaldehyde (resins, adhesives, plastics) and acetic acid (polyester fibres, PET plastics, medical supplies).
- Road Transport & Energy: Petrol blends (M15, M85, M100), heavy trucks and buses, Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs), generator sets and household cooking fuel.
- Hydrogen Carrier & Aviation Fuel: Serves as a liquid hydrogen carrier and a feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) via the Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) route.
Kandla Port and Methanol Bunkering
- Bunkering Trial: On April 2026, Kandla Port ran India’s first shore-to-ship methanol bunkering trial, verified by DNV, which rated the port Level 6 on the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) readiness scale.
Conclusion
e-Methanol is a liquid, low-carbon e-fuel made from green hydrogen and captured CO2, green under the MNRE limit of 0.44 kg CO2e per kg; Kandla hosts India’s first port-based plant.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article – India’s First Port-based e-Methanol Plant at Kandla |