The project initiated by Titan, Attero, and Nordsol has been awarded €4.3m for setting up a bioLNG and bioCO2 production plant.
The facility at Attero's premises in Wilp is set for completion in 2023. It will produce around 2,400t/year of bioLNG, which Titan, the exclusive long-term off-taker, will supply to the maritime industry. The plant will also deliver some 5,000t/year of bioCO2.
Attero will produce 6.0m Nm3/year of biogas from domestic biowaste for FirstBio2Shipping. Nordsol will use its iLNG technology to upgrade and liquefy the biogas. The solution is said to produce high-quality bioLNG (without contaminants), eliminate methane slip, and have no high-temperature demands in gas treatment technologies.
According to the project partners, the produced bioLNG will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 92% compared to conventional maritime fuel, representing more than 87,500t CO2e net absolute emissions avoided during the first ten years of operation.
"This project is paramount in implementing our strategy of reaching carbon zero within the coming two decades. Furthermore, it builds upon Titan's previous successful funding application called 'Bio2Bunker' that realises three additional bioLNG bunker barges. Mature transport, storage, and bunkering infrastructure are not the only benefits of bioLNG, it is also increasingly recognised as a sustainable option that can be 'dropped in' and blended with LNG at any ratio, with no changes required onboard the vessels," Ronald van Selm, CTO, Titan, said.
Jan-Willem Steyvers, Business Developer, Attero, added, "Producing bioLNG out of biogas is the next step in biowaste digestion, leading to higher end products. BioLNG from biowaste supports the circular economy and helps dealing with yet another global concern: replacing heavy fuel oil applications. By producing bioLNG locally, traceability and transparency is ensured. Our bioLNG will meet ISCC [International Sustainability and Carbon Certification] certification criteria. The Firstbio2shipping project will create more opportunities for local biogas upgrading plants, produce high-quality, sustainably sourced bioLNG, and help decarbonise the maritime industry. It's a no brainer."
Léon van Bossum, Commercial Director, Nordsol, also underlined, "Reducing GHG emissions in maritime transport is of critical importance, and with bioLNG we can start today. Through collaboration and progressive technology, we can significantly advance decarbonisation. Scalability is a key challenge for any future marine fuel but using our iLNG technology we can demonstrate a standardised, scalable process to produce high-quality bioLNG, capture CO2 and minimise energy use, in decentralised, unmanned production plants. We look forward to realising this project with Titan and Attero."
Photo: Titan/Attero/Nordsol