The Netherlands – Uniper has unveiled plans to develop a syngas production plant at Chemelot, aiming to revolutionize the chemical industry by replacing natural gas with sustainable syngas.

Through an innovative process involving biomass torrefaction and conversion, Uniper aims to produce syngas, which will play a crucial role in the green production of plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and more.

The project is currently in its early development phase, with the potential for the plant to become operational by 2027/2028, followed by subsequent scalability in the coming years.

Green energy supply

Uniper’s primary objective is to significantly contribute to the sustainability of the industry while ensuring a secure supply of green energy. While green gas and electrification offer viable paths to sustainability in chemical production, the construction of the hydrogen backbone and expansion of the electricity grid at Chemelot are planned for the years after 2028 and 2030, respectively. In the meantime, Uniper is exploring the use of syngas derived from torrefied biomass as a means to enhance the sustainability of chemical production.

By 2035, Uniper aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its European portfolio, and the company is committed to enabling its customers to follow a similar path. Alongside the syngas plant at Chemelot, Uniper is also working on the development of a 200-500 MW electrolyzer for green hydrogen production at the Maasvlakte in the Netherlands.