At the core of the NextFuel project lies a transformative leap in renewable fuel production — and TOPSOE stands as the technological engine driving this innovation forward. As a leading global provider of advanced technology and solutions for the energy transition, TOPSOE leads Work Package 4: Plant Design & Optimization, shaping the design, scale-up, and realization of the world’s first industrial-scale eSMR (electrically heated Steam Methane Reforming) biomethanol plant.
Building upon its groundbreaking eSMR technology — previously proven at pilot scale and even featured in Science magazine — TOPSOE is responsible for developing the complete process design of the NextFuel demonstrator. This includes defining the process flow diagrams, control and safety systems, and detailed equipment specifications that will ensure optimal plant performance, efficiency, and reliability.
TOPSOE’s engineering excellence extends beyond design:
- It establishes the design basis for the demonstrator, defining production capacity, feedstock use, hydrogen and CO₂ quantities, and material requirements.
- It develops scalable process architectures, translating its eREACT (formerly eSMR) syngas production method from pilot to industrial scale, equivalent to over 50,000 tonnes of annual fuel production — a massive leap in sustainable fuel manufacturing.
- It designs the process module and instrumentation systems, ensuring precise control, safety, and data capture for the demonstrator’s operation.
- Later in the project, TOPSOE contributes to plant commissioning, start-up, performance testing, training, and servicing, ensuring that every operational element meets industrial standards of excellence.
Working closely with partners such as MOLGAS, FLEXFUELS, NTNU, and CERTH, TOPSOE bridges the gap between laboratory innovation and large-scale industrial deployment. Its work guarantees that NextFuel not only pioneers sustainable methanol production from biogas, hydrogen, and CO₂ — but also creates a replicable model for green fuel plants across Europe.
With TOPSOE’s leadership in plant engineering and process technology, NextFuel takes a decisive step toward a carbon-neutral maritime sector, empowering Europe’s green transition through technical excellence and visionary industrial collaboration.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 101136225.
