The energy transition requires collaboration and tangible solutions. In March, various parties discussed the opportunities and challenges surrounding biomethanol and e-methanol. Topics covered then were timing, skills, logistics, energy, price and affordability, legislation and regulations, and production. A follow-up meeting will take place in November, with greater focus and scope for making choices that will further benefit the North.
From broad conversation to in-depth discussion
An in-depth workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th, during the Promotion Days at Martiniplaza Groningen. The trade fair has been a meeting place for the northern business community for decades and will take place this year on November 4th and 5th. Therefore, the timing for a regional follow-up discussion on methanol has been deliberately chosen.
This time, the participants will delve into a single main theme. They'll choose between infrastructure and systems, the value chain and ecosystem, or legislation and regulations. This creates space to agree on concrete steps, from permits to logistics and from investments to training. The session thus aligns with the need for direction that emerged clearly in March.
Why infrastructure and chain count now
The Northern Netherlands chemical industry around Delfzijl and Emmen is developing into an ecosystem for green chemistry. This network offers opportunities for methanol as both a raw material and an energy carrier, provided the supply chain is properly designed. This includes production, storage, transshipment, and distribution, as well as customers in the maritime, aviation, and chemical sectors. Chemport Europe is already positioning the region as a breeding ground for biobased and circular chemistry, with strong connections between research and industrial clusters.
The region also has experience with biomethanol. A large-scale plant came online in Delfzijl in 2010, and new initiatives are exploring green methanol from sustainable sources and green hydrogen. Recent plans in and around the ports show that storage and bunkering are also rapidly becoming more professional, underscoring the need for smart, safe, and affordable infrastructure.
Law and regulation as an accelerator
Investments will follow once the roadmap is clear. European and international regulations for clean shipping and aviation are driving the market. At the same time, attention is shifting to import chains for green hydrogen and e-methanol, which can be converted into aviation fuels in the Netherlands or used as raw materials in the chemical industry. Clarity regarding standards, certification, and price signals helps companies and governments accelerate progress together.
Practical participation
The event will take place during the 2025 Promotion Days at Martiniplaza Groningen. The session starts at 2:00 PM and ends at 6:00 PM, followed by networking drinks from 5:00 PM. You can register via the shared registration page. The registration deadline is October 20th. More information about the event can be found on the organizers' website.
Sign up
Information fair: promotiondays.nl
