Commercial-scale production of e-methanol begins: Kassø facility delivers 42,000 tonnes annually using 100% renewable energy.
Industry giants adopt green fuel: Maersk, LEGO, and Novo Nordisk onboard as major offtakers to cut carbon emissions in hard-to-abate sectors.
Model for global decarbonization: Strategic international collaboration showcases scalable Power-to-X technology and circular energy integration.
The world’s first large-scale commercial e-methanol plant has officially opened in Kassø, Denmark, positioning itself as a cornerstone in the global transition to low-emission fuels.
The €150 million Kassø e-methanol facility, a joint venture between European Energy (51%) and Mitsui & Co. (49%), is now operational and delivering 42,000 metric tons (53 million litres) of e-methanol annually to global clients. The fuel is produced using green hydrogen and biogenic CO₂—captured from biogas and waste incineration—powered entirely by the adjacent 304 MW Kassø Solar Park.
“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,” said Knud Erik Andersen, CEO of European Energy.
A.P. Moller – Maersk, LEGO Group, and Novo Nordisk are among the first buyers, using the e-methanol to decarbonize operations across shipping and manufacturing. Maersk will fuel its dual-fuel fleet—including the Laura Maersk, the first container vessel operating on methanol—with Kassø-produced e-methanol.
“We are excited to receive the first e-methanol from the Kassø facility, marking an important milestone in our global efforts to source alternative fuels for our vessel fleet,” said Rabab Raafat Boulos, COO at Maersk.
“The future of shipping must include multiple fuel types operating alongside each other, with methanol playing a key role in the industry’s net-zero ambitions.”
While the Laura Maersk requires just 3,600 tonnes of e-methanol per year, the plant’s current output could support a 16,000-container vessel on a full Asia-Europe round trip—highlighting its impact on reducing reliance on fossil fuels in maritime transport.
Beyond shipping, e-methanol is also enabling greener supply chains in plastic production:
“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,” said Carsten Rasmussen, COO of the LEGO Group.
“This partnership is a powerful example of how collaboration and innovation across industries can accelerate meaningful progress.”
“This partnership enables us to take practical steps in decarbonising our supply chain and reducing the environmental impact of our products,” added Dorethe Nielsen, VP Corporate Environmental Strategy, Novo Nordisk.
The facility’s integrated design also allows excess heat from production to heat 3,300 local households, underscoring its role in local sustainability.
RELATED ARTICLE: LEGO Introduces Tires Made with 30% Recycled Materials
Despite its breakthrough, the industry acknowledges the need to scale further and reduce costs:
“When you look at the production from Kassø, it is of course just a literal drop in the ocean, so we need to scale up and we need to bring costs down,” said Emil Vikjar-Andresen, Head of Power-to-X, European Energy.
“Kassø exemplifies the importance of international collaboration in scaling low-emission solutions,” said Takashi Furutani, Senior Executive Managing Officer, Mitsui & Co.
“We are honoured to play a pivotal role in advancing this pioneering project, which fosters integrated approaches across product value chains as part of our Global Energy Transition strategy.”
The launch of Kassø sets a new precedent in the deployment of Power-to-X technology, providing a working model for scaling low-emission fuel production globally—and a clear signal that green fuels are moving from concept to commercial reality.
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