In brief
ReMePho is developing a demonstration plant for climate-neutral methanol production. By utilising CO₂ from seawater, renewable electricity from photovoltaics, and innovative processes such as high-pressure electrolysis and efficient heat utilisation, an integrated process is created that reduces emissions, replaces fossil resources and opens up new prospects for a sustainable maritime energy supply.
What we’re working on
Motivation
The production of green methanol addresses key challenges of the energy transition. Seawater contains around 120 times more dissolved CO₂ per litre than the air – a previously untapped potential for climate-neutral fuel production. The ReMePho collaborative project aims to harness this potential whilst contributing to the decarbonisation of various industries. By combining CO₂ extraction from seawater, high-pressure electrolysis and methanol synthesis, the project demonstrates an integrated approach that replaces fossil fuels and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the project strengthens Europe’s energy independence and creates new value chains in a future-oriented methanol economy.
Innovative approach
The project brings together several technological innovations in a floating demonstration plant. High-pressure electrolysis produces hydrogen at 200 bar without downstream compression, which significantly reduces energy requirements. CO₂ extraction is carried out using a catalysed bipolar membrane electrodialysis process, which specifically utilises the brine generated during water treatment and requires around 50 per cent less energy than direct air capture. Methanol synthesis achieves a target conversion efficiency of 90 per cent whilst utilising 95 per cent of the waste heat. This is used to preheat the feedstocks and to support CO₂ extraction. The modular integration of the DOC on a research vessel is a unique selling point and enables demonstration under real maritime conditions.
Implementation and added value
Technical implementation will take place in stages: first, all components will be assembled, qualified and tested at a Rosenxt site in the pilot plant. This will be followed by a demonstration under offshore conditions to achieve TRL 6. The target production volume is 50 kg of methanol per day. In parallel, a comprehensive techno-economic analysis (TEA) and a prospective life-cycle assessment (LCA) will evaluate the project’s economic viability and environmental sustainability. The added value lies in a cost reduction of at least 30 per cent compared with the state of the art, a halving of energy requirements for CO₂ capture, and a minimised environmental footprint. The findings will lay the foundations for large-scale industrial applications and help attract investors for further scaling up.
ReMePho in figures
Rosenxt Creation Center GmbH is a forward-looking technology company – visionary architects of progress with decades of engineering excellence. As a privately owned, globally active company, we think beyond the present and focus on sustainable, long-term developments. As part of the ReMePho project, Rosenxt is developing all the technologies required to achieve the project’s objectives.
The Industrial Ecology (INEC) department at Pforzheim University focuses on the modelling, analysis and optimisation of energy and material flow systems in the context of environmental and sustainability assessment. As part of the project, INEC assesses environmental impacts and economic viability throughout the development process using prospective life-cycle analysis (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA).
