HAMR Energy advances its $2B Portland project to produce 300,000 TPA
green methanol using biomass and renewable electricity.
Victoria, Australia: Australian chemicals company HAMR
Energy has announced significant progress on its flagship Portland Renewable
Fuels Project, following the completion of the pre-front-end engineering design
(pre-FEED) phase. The milestone was achieved in collaboration with German
engineering firm thyssenkrupp Uhde, which has been engaged to provide
biomass-to-methanol technology under a memorandum of understanding signed in
2024.
Located
in Victoria, the project aims to produce 300,000 tonnes per annum of green
methanol using forestry residues and renewable electricity. The facility will
integrate thyssenkrupp Uhde’s PRENFLO gasification technology with its
proprietary green methanol process to convert biomass waste into sustainable
fuels and high-value green chemicals. The renewable methanol produced is
expected to play a critical role in decarbonizing the shipping and aviation
sectors, where demand for low-carbon liquid fuels is accelerating.
With
an investment of AUD 2 billion (USD 1.29 billion), the project is scheduled to
be operational by 2029. It has already received early backing from the
Victorian Government, which allocated AUD 500,000 through the Portland
Diversification Fund to support its feasibility study.
HAMR
Energy’s green methanol initiative positions Victoria as a key player in the
global transition to sustainable fuels, aligning with Australia’s broader clean
energy and decarbonization goals.
According to TechSci
Research, HAMR
Energy’s progress on the Portland Renewable Fuels Project marks a significant
development for the chemical industry, particularly in advancing sustainable
feedstock solutions. The facility, designed to produce 300,000 tonnes per annum
of green methanol from forestry residues and renewable electricity, will
strengthen the availability of low-carbon alternatives to conventional
fossil-based methanol. This is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in
hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation, while also opening
opportunities for chemical manufacturers to integrate renewable methanol into
value chains for plastics, solvents, and other derivatives. By deploying
thyssenkrupp Uhde’s PRENFLO gasification and green methanol technologies, the project
showcases how advanced process innovations can enable the conversion of biomass
waste into high-value green chemicals, enhancing circular economy practices
within the industry. Furthermore, large-scale investments such as this provide
a blueprint for global chemical producers to transition toward decarbonized
production models, helping align with tightening environmental regulations and
sustainability targets. The Victorian Government’s early support further
underscores the project’s strategic importance, positioning Australia as an
emerging hub for renewable chemicals and reinforcing long-term competitiveness
in the global chemical sector.