On December 16, 2025, China's first large-scale bio-methanol project—the "50,000-ton/year green methanol demonstration project"—was officially put into operation in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. This project represents a significant breakthrough in China's clean energy sector, providing a practical and feasible technological pathway for the green and low-carbon transformation of the shipping industry both in China and globally.
The gasification island of this demonstration project utilizes the atmospheric-pressure biomass circulating fluidized bed staged gasification technology, independently developed by the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. ZHGAS, as the exclusive licensee and industrial implementation entity of this technology, undertook the entire process for the biomass gasification island—from process package development, engineering research, and process system integration to engineering design, proprietary gasifier equipment development, integrated supply of process equipment, as well as on-site technical services and operational guidance.
To ensure the efficient and stable operation of the biomass gasification island, ZHGAS assembled a dedicated professional technical team to provide start-up guidance and technical support. This has effectively ensured a stable supply of syngas and laid a solid feedstock foundation for the downstream methanol synthesis process. As a core link in the green methanol production chain, the reliable operation of the gasification island is critical to the project’s overall success and commercial commissioning.
At present, ZHGAS is jointly carrying out R&D on pressurized circulating fluidized bed biomass gasification technology in collaboration with the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and other partners.
Green methanol is one of the most promising alternative fuels for achieving deep decarbonization in the shipping industry. The successful commissioning of this demonstration project marks China’s substantial progress in the high-value utilization of biomass and the production of green liquid fuels, and is of great significance for promoting technological upgrading in related industries and advancing the realization of the national“dual carbon"goals. Looking ahead, ZHGAS will continue to be committed to the industrial-scale promotion, and innovation of advanced biomass gasification technologies, contributing to the green transformation of China’s energy structure and to sustainable development.
