The eM-Rhône project aims to produce 150,000 tonnes of e-methanol per year in the Rhône Valley, providing the chemical industry and maritime operators with a decarbonization solution derived from sustainable hydrogen and recycled carbon.
This solution, compatible with existing infrastructures, replaces imported fossil methanol with a molecule produced locally at the Roches-Roussillon chemical platform in Isère, thereby contributing to energy sovereignty and green reindustrialization.
The project is a recipient of the European Innovation Fund, one of the main instruments of the Industrial Plan under the European Green Deal.
The simplest alcohol, methanol is a leading industrial commodity with a global annual production of over 100 million tonnes. It is used in the manufacturing processes of many everyday products, such as cosmetics and biodiesel. France imports between 600,000 and 800,000 tonnes of methanol each year for its industries.
In practical terms, e-methanol is produced from hydrogen and carbon. The hydrogen is extracted from water using an electric current—this is called water electrolysis. The carbon is captured from the exhaust of industrial processes and purified from its impurities. The hydrogen (H₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are then combined—this process is known as synthesis—to produce e-methanol (CH₃OH). This mixture is then distilled, much like in perfumery, to remove the water, and stored in liquid form in tanks, similar to petroleum or ethanol used in our vehicles.
Methanol also proves promising as a sustainable alternative fuel for maritime transport, particularly for container ships, ferries, bulk carriers, and cruise ships.
The maritime sector is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, as mandated by European regulation (FuelEU Maritime) and international regulation (International Maritime Organization).
Beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, methanol also drastically cuts air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide. Being biodegradable in water, it limits risks to biodiversity in the event of leaks or accidents.
Operators have taken note: methanol-powered vessels topped container ship order books in 2023, with more than 200 ships under construction.
The eM-Rhône project is located on the Roches-Roussillon chemical platform, in Salaise-sur-Sanne, Isère. Managed by the Economic Interest Group (GIE) OSIRIS, this platform brings together world leaders in industry and chemistry in the Rhône Valley. It is one of the main methanol consumption hubs in mainland France.
The Roches-Roussillon site offers several advantages, including leveraging the platform’s expertise in industrialization and risk management, multimodal connectivity, and access to the skills available in the region. It aligns with the decarbonization effort undertaken by GIE OSIRIS, creating strong industrial synergies.
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To produce 150,000 tonnes of e-methanol per year, the eM-Rhône project requires producing around 27,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually and capturing and utilizing 195,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
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Hydrogen will be produced by water electrolysis using an electrolyzer installed on the platform and connected to the electricity transmission network (RTE) with a connection capacity of 240 MW.
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The electrolyzer will be powered by renewable or nuclear electricity and will require approximately 1.36 TWh of electricity.
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The capture and utilization of carbon dioxide will be carried out from emissions of industrial facilities on the OSIRIS site, as well as from the Lafarge plant in Le Teil, Ardèche, with liquid CO₂ transported by train to the platform.
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The project will avoid 2.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions over its 10-year life cycle.
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The project is expected to create 80 direct and 240 permanent indirect jobs during the operational phase, as well as several hundred jobs during the construction phase, for a total investment exceeding €700 million.
The cost of the eM-Rhône project is naturally sensitive to the economic environment, particularly to the cost of raw materials. As a recipient of the European Innovation Fund, the project—submitted jointly with Lafarge—represents a total investment of around €700 million (excluding VAT). Its financing relies on several sources depending on the stages of study, design, and construction, including Elyse Energy’s equity, infrastructure funds, and banks.
Legal details:
Coordinator: Benoit Decourt,[email protected]
To access the eM-Rhône public consultation file click here.
To stay informed about all news related to the ongoing consultation for the eM-Rhône project, visit the dedicated website: www.em-rhone-concertation.fr.