Carbon recycling technology provider LanzaTech and steel and mining leader ArcelorMittal announced developments in their partnership to produce sustainable ethanol. Ethanol produced at ArcelorMittal’s Steelanol facility in Ghent, Belgium has reached a big volume. This volume is reported to be large enough to be efficiently transported by barge. This achievement follows the receival of Lanzatech’s first barge shipment of ethanol earlier during the month.
Also read: LanzaJet secures MUFG investment to scale sustainable aviation fuel technology
Supply Chain for Sustainable Ethanol
LanzaTech is transporting the ethanol for purification and will sell it to CarbonSmart customers in the fragrance and home care industries. This development marks a key step in establishing a robust European supply chain for sustainably produced ethanol.
The Ghent Steelanol plant owned by ArcelorMittal has been producing 80 million litres per annum, which provides ethanol for half of the existing demands of Belgium. The company reduces 125,000 tons ayear in carbon emissions in its facility in Ghent.
Also read: Transition Industries and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Partner for Sustainable Methanol
This project will contribute to supporting the EU’s 2030 Climate Target Plan: cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. The project will partner with Primetals Technologies, ERM and receive support from CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency.
LanzaTech’s carbon recycling technology, which powers the Steelanol facility, converts carbon-rich industrial emissions from ArcelorMittal’s blast furnace into high-quality ethanol. This innovative process helps create a circular economy by transforming industrial emissions into valuable products like fuel and consumer goods.
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Chair and CEO of LanzaTech said, “This production milestone represents an important step toward treating industrial emissions as raw materials—rather than waste—to profitably support European supply chains in the creation of everyday products,”
She added, “ArcelorMittal has long been a leader in decarbonizing the steel industry, and we look forward to building upon this achievement and expanding our operations together as we continue to advance a circular economy.”
The Steelanol facility started its ethanol production in 2023 offering various possibilities for the ethanol produced. These include, purification for consumer productions such as clothing, personal care items and packaging.