CIMC Enric has brought China’s first mass-production bio-methanol project into full commercial operation, marking a milestone for the country’s clean fuels sector and the global shipping industry.
The facility, which employs a fully enclosed production line, has an initial annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of green methanol. CIMC Enric said the project represents a strategic expansion of China’s clean energy pathway, moving beyond hydrogen into advanced liquid fuels that can be deployed at scale.
Green methanol is widely regarded as one of the most viable alternative marine fuels currently available, particularly for deep-sea shipping. Compared with conventional fossil fuels such as coal and oil, green methanol can cut lifecycle carbon emissions by more than 85%, making it one of the most competitive options for near-term emissions reduction.
The commissioning of the project is seen as a significant step in China’s broader low-carbon development strategy and could support growing demand from the maritime sector, where methanol-fuelled vessels are already entering service and orderbooks continue to expand.
CIMC Enric said the project underlines its commitment to supporting the development of a diversified and mature clean energy system, with bio-methanol expected to play an increasingly important role in helping the shipping industry progress towards carbon-neutral operations.
