Renewable energy developer European Energy announced the start-up of the world’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol facility, with e-methanol now being supplied to offtakers including the LEGO Group, healthcare company Novo Nordisk and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk for use as a replacement for fossil-based fuels and plastics.
Founded in 2004, Denmark-based European Energy is a developer and operator of green energy solutions, including solar, onshore and offshore wind projects. Its new e-methanol facility, Kassø, in Aabenraa, Denmark, manufactures e-methanol with up to a 97% reduced carbon footprint compared to fossil-based products, by combining captured biogenic CO2 with green hydrogen produced on-site. The facility operates entirely on renewable energy sources, and is situated next to the Kassø Solar Park, the largest solar park in Northern Europe.
With an annual capacity of 42,000 tonnes, the facility is the first of its kind globally to produce e-methanol at commercial scale, European Energy said. European Energy holds a majority stake in the facility, with Mitsui & Co. holding a 49% stake.
Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy, said:
“The start of operations at Kassø marks a major step forward in bringing Power-to-X technologies into real-world use. This is renewable energy in action, transforming how we use electricity.”
The inauguration of the new facility follows agreements by Maersk in 2022, and by LEGO Group and Novo Nordisk in 2023 to offtake e-methanol from Kassø. Maersk has said that it plans to use e-methanol from the plant to fuel Laura Mærsk, the world’s first container vessel capable of operating on methanol, while Novo Nordisk will use e-methanol to replace fossil methanol in the production of selected products, such as LEGO’s strong and rigid elements ranging from cross axles to minifigure hands, and Novo’s medical devices.
Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operations Officer at the LEGO Group, said:
“Sourcing renewable e-methanol is part of our ambition to make LEGO® products more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. Later this year, we will use the material to produce select LEGO elements—such as cross axles and connectors—while maintaining our high standards of safety, durability, and quality. This partnership is a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation across industries can accelerate meaningful progress.”
