Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is pleased to announce that it has commenced a COMM SCI project with Advanced Chemical Technologies Inc. (AChT), Waterloo, Ontario, that will see AChT complete technical and economic feasibility studies to address commercial barriers to construct a green methanol commercial scale demonstration facility in Sarnia by late 2020.
AChT is in the formative stages of developing its green methanol commercial demonstration plant to be located at TransAlta’s Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario. AChT’s proprietary process and plant design will utilize industrial CO2 emissions, in addition to natural gas, water and electricity to produce methanol with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Methanol is a ubiquitous base chemical with a wide variety of applications including low carbon fuel and derivative products. This process allows AChT to be an enabling partner with industrial emitters to utilize their CO2 emissions.
AChT’s process utilizes commercially proven technologies to comprise its plant design and is working with internationally recognized technology providers and EPC development partner, SNC-Lavalin, to design its demonstration plant.
“As a business accelerator, BIC continues to support the emergence of companies providing sustainable chemistry products and solutions in Canada. Constructing AChT’s facility in Sarnia is further recognition of the great innovation potential within the Sarnia-Lambton area. We look forward to working with AChT to execute their business plan and support the development of their facility” said Sandy Marshall, Executive Director of BIC.
“TransAlta is pleased to have AChT choose our Bluewater Energy Park as its desired destination. We have worked with Doug and the AChT team over the past year and are encouraged by their commitment to meeting milestones and creating relationships to advance this very exciting project” said Jim Felton, Commercial Specialist, TransAlta.
AChT’s President and CEO, Doug Beynon, states, "the Sarnia region affords AChT enormous opportunity utilizing local industrial CO2 emissions to produce economically viable methanol, which in turn can be a sustainable feedstock for local industry. AChT decided to locate in Sarnia for the established industrial infrastructure, market value chain, and support the region has to offer for a project of this nature. BIC has been very helpful in isolating the commercial barriers of AChT’s project and has proven to be a knowledgeable and capable partner to effectively address these commercial barriers. AChT looks forward to continuing to collaborate with BIC to move this project forward.”