Shandong Energy-Backed Green Methanol Project Enters Operation Through Biomass Co-Firing Retrofit

Huashang Energy and Shandong Energy Group have converted an existing coal-to-methanol facility in Jining, Shandong Province, to produce green methanol through biomass co-firing.

Huashang Energy recently supplied 1,030 tonnes of ISCC EU-certified green methanol to CM Wu Han, a methanol dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel, at the Port of Ningbo. The shipment marked the first batch of green methanol produced using Huashang Energy’s proprietary process.

On 18 November 2025, Huashang Energy officially launched its green methanol project and received ISCC EU certification from Bureau Veritas, an internationally recognised testing, inspection and certification company.

Developed jointly by Huashang Energy and Shandong Energy Group, the green methanol plant is located in Jining, Shandong Province. The project involves retrofitting an existing coal-to-methanol facility using proprietary process technology to incorporate biomass co-firing into the coal-based production process.

The approach allows the plant to retain its existing production capacity while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also offers a potential route to decarbonising conventional chemical production without the substantial capital investment typically required to replace existing facilities.

The project has obtained ISCC certification covering feedstock collection, biochar production and green methanol manufacturing. According to the project information, it is the world’s first green methanol project to achieve full-chain certification under the ISCC Co-processing v2.0 guidance document.

According to Huashang Energy’s 2026 interim report, the Jining facility produced approximately 4,000 tonnes of Huashang-branded green methanol in the first half of 2026. The company also reported obtaining an ISCC certificate related to its feedstock. Investor roadshow materials from July 2026 identified the project as operational.

The plant’s initial annual production capacity is 20,000–30,000 tonnes of green methanol, with the potential to increase to 60,000 tonnes per year following further technical upgrades.

The company has also supplied green methanol to Gang Rong, a 9,300-CEU methanol dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) operated by China Merchants Energy Shipping. The vessel is recognised as the world’s first 9,300-CEU methanol dual-fuel Ro-Ro vessel.