Dimeta and Enerkem Collaborate on Large-Scale Waste-to-DME Projects

Dimeta and Enerkem, the first company in the world to produce bio-methanol from mixed waste at a commercial scale, are initiating feasibility studies for the development of two large-scale projects that will convert waste into renewable and recycled carbon dimethyl ether (DME). 

“We are committed to supporting Dimeta in achieving their decarbonization goals. This development is an example of our technological platform’s flexibility as a key enabler for hard-to-abate sectors. Our joint projects can form the basis for further project developments globally within the off-grid energy market and are an opportunity to expand Enerkem’s waste-to-methanol platform.”

Dominique Boies, Chief Executive Officer of Enerkem

The projects are expected to be located in Northwest Europe and in the Gulf Coast of the United States, with each project anticipated to produce approximately 165,000 tonnes of renewable and recycled carbon DME per year from mixed residual waste. The impact of the DME produced from the two projects combined would be the equivalent of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of over one million LPG-heated homes when it is blended in with LPG.  

In recent months, Dimeta and Enerkem successfully completed pre-feasibility studies for these projects and are now moving into the feasibility phase – targeting the start of Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) next year.  

“We are excited to collaborate with Enerkem to transform large volumes of non-recyclable waste into renewable & recycled carbon DME on a global scale. This partnership is another significant milestone in Dimeta’s journey. Enerkem has vast experience in the development of renewable solutions, and I look forward to seeing how we continue to revolutionize DME to deliver a greener future for off-grid communities.”

Frankie Ugboma, Chief Executive Officer of Dimeta.  

The two DME projects with Enerkem build upon the announcement of the first-of-a-kind waste-to-DME plant spearheaded by Dimeta in the United Kingdom, set to be operational in 2025. The projects with Enerkem are a key part of achieving Dimeta’s goal of creating over 300,000 tonnes of sustainable DME production capacity by 2027.  

Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME is a clean-burning fuel that can support the decarbonisation of the off-grid energy sector, including heating, cooking, transport and industrial applications. As DME is chemically similar to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), it can be blended with it up to 20% and ‘dropped in’ to existing LPG supply chains, providing a seamless pathway to reducing emissions from the over 200million tonnes of LPG used for energy each year globally.