PROCESS Worldwide brings to you the ‘Top 10 plant engineering projects of February 2025’ from all over the world. Right from Repsol investing 800+ million euros for a renewable methanol project in Europe to Thyssenkrupp Uhde’s CCU technology being selected for ammonia, urea plants in Egypt, find out all the projects making headlines here.
At a glance: Plant engineering projects from across the globe.
(Source: Pixabay)
Repsol to Invest 800+ Million Euros for Renewable Methanol Project
Repsol's Board of Directors recently gave the green light to invest in the Ecoplant project.
(Source: Repsol)
Feb 03 – Repsol's Board of Directors recently gave the green light to invest in the Ecoplant, a pioneering project in Europe to transform urban waste into renewable fuels and circular products, adding a solution for reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector, while at the same time promoting the circular economy.
Located in Tarragona, this facility —expected to receive an investment of over 800 million euros— will become the first plant in Europe to produce renewable and circular methanol from waste through gasification, the world’s most advanced waste valorization process. This cutting-edge technology, developed by Enerkem - a technology company in which Repsol is a partner - gives a second life to waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or be incinerated.
The new plant will have the capacity to process up to 400,000 tons of municipal solid waste per year and turn them into 240,000 tons of renewable fuels and circular products. The renewable methanol originates from organic waste, while the circular products come from non-organic waste, such as non-recyclable plastics.
The start-up of the plant, scheduled for 2029, will result in the creation of 340 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, as well as some 2,800 jobs during the construction phase. The Ecoplant will be integrated into Repsol's industrial complex in Tarragona to take advantage of existing infrastructures and accelerate the transformation of the center into a multi-energy hub that will continue to manufacture essential products for society, such as renewable fuels and circular materials. This investment is a clear commitment by Repsol to maintain industrial employment in Spain and to continue generating wealth in the surrounding area.
Moeve to Establish 30 New Biomethane Plants in Spain
The energy company aims to produce biomethane from agricultural and livestock waste and manage a project portfolio of 4 TWh by 2030.
(Source: Moeve)
Feb 04 – Moeve has recently announced an ambitious 600-million-euro investment plan for the construction, together with its partners, of up to 30 new biomethane plants by 2030, which the company projects throughout Spain, with Andalusia, Catalonia, and Galicia being among the regions with the greatest potential for its deployment. This investment is part of Moeve's plans to promote the circular economy and lead the energy transition, in the framework of its transformation strategy Positive Motion.
The energy company aims to produce biomethane from agricultural and livestock waste and manage a project portfolio of 4 TWh by 2030. The use of this renewable gas, instead of fossil fuels, will allow Moeve to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy parks, chemical plants, its strategic industrial clients and partners, as well as providing a complementary vector for green hydrogen production and promoting sustainable mobility. The total production, equivalent to enough energy for 568,000 households, will result in the reuse of 10 million tons of waste per year and will prevent the emission of 728,000 tons of CO2 per year, similar to planting 48.5 million trees.
For the development of these plants, Moeve has partnerships with companies such as Kira Ventures and Prezero and has just signed an agreement with Inproener to develop five biomethane plants in Spain, which are expected to be operational between 2028 and 2029. Each facility will produce around 50 GWh per year, adding up to 250 GWh of biomethane annually. This partnership includes a collaboration with Envitec Biogas, which will contribute its experience in the construction of more than 650 biogas plants internationally.
Air Liquide to Develop New ASU in Japan
Air Liquide will build, own and operate, through a significant investment, a large-scale Air Separation Unit in Naoshima Island, Japan.
(Source: Air Liquide)
Feb 05 – Air Liquide will build, own and operate, through a significant investment, a large-scale Air Separation Unit (ASU) in Naoshima Island, Japan. This plant is designed to meet the rising demand for copper, a crucial element for the energy transition, and support the production ramp-up of Mitsubishi Materials, Japan’s leading copper company. In addition to providing large volumes of oxygen with a capacity of up to 1,400 tons per day as well as nitrogen, Air Liquide’s new ASU will also produce argon and neon, helping to ensure a stable supply of those rare gases essential to Japan's key industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing and construction work.
Date: 08.12.2025
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Further strengthening its long-term partnership, Air Liquide will support Mitsubishi Materials with their plan to increase copper production to address the growing demand for the use of electric vehicles, next-generation communication technology and renewable energy.
Air Liquide will build, own and operate this ASU at the Naoshima smelter and refinery. Set to commence operations in 2027, it will rank among Air Liquide’s largest and state of the art oxygen production plants in Japan. The facility will also produce argon and neon, enhancing the capacity of these rare gases, crucial for semiconductor manufacturing and welding applications, to customers in those industries.
Blue Biofuels Acquires Land to Develop Biofuels Production Facility in USA
Blue Biofuels has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire 35.5 acres of land in Frostproof, Florida, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commercialization efforts.
(Source: Pixabay)
Feb 12 – Blue Biofuels has recently announced the signing of an agreement to acquire 35.5 acres of land in Frostproof, Florida, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commercialization efforts. The site will house a cutting-edge production facility designed to produce an initial 3 million gallons of biofuel annually. The infrastructure and available land can support future expansion to 100 million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol and 100 million gallons per year of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The property, located in Polk County, one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, is in the heart of Central Florida’s agricultural region, offering access to an abundant supply of biomass feedstock. It is also strategically located in the proximity of The Port of Tampa, which will facilitate efficient logistics by rail and road for biofuel transportation. Blue Biofuels is working closely with Global Management Partners (GMP) to develop the design and engineering plans for the first phase of the facility. This collaboration ensures a strong foundation for the company’s state-of-the-art biofuel production plant.
Construction of the facility, capable of converting 3 million gallons of ethanol to SAF annually is expected to begin in 2025. Subsequent expansions will enable Blue Biofuels to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels on a larger scale.
Ta’ziz to Develop UAE’s First Methanol Plant
Ta’ziz has announced an EPC contract award of 1.7 billion dollars to Samsung E&A for the construction of one of the world’s largest methanol plants in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi.
(Source: Adnoc)
Feb 14 – Ta’ziz has recently announced an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract award of 1.7 billion dollars (AED6.2 billion) to Samsung E&A for the construction of one of the world’s largest methanol plants in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra region, Abu Dhabi.
The project is a key milestone in Ta’ziz’s mission to advance the UAE’s economic diversification by unlocking new domestic chemical value chains. The 1.8 million tons per annum (mtpa) plant will be the first methanol production facility in the UAE. Upon completion in 2028, it will be powered by clean energy from the grid, making it one of the world’s most energy-efficient methanol plants.
In its initial phase, Ta'ziz will produce 4.7 mtpa of chemicals by 2028, including methanol, low-carbon ammonia, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, and caustic soda. Several of these chemicals will be produced for the first time in the UAE, reinforcing Ta’ziz’s strategic goal to expand the local chemicals value chain and advance economic diversification through industrialization.
BASF to Develop New Alcoholates Plant in Germany
BASF is investing a mid-double-digit million-euro amount in a new alcoholates plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
(Source: BASF)
Feb 20 – BASF is investing a mid-double-digit million-euro amount in a new alcoholates plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The plant will produce sodium methylate and potassium methylate, two important chemicals used for the production of biodiesel and for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the new plant will replace the existing production facility in Ludwigshafen and is expected to start up in the second half of 2027.
“Various industries in Europe and around the globe rely on the high-quality alcoholates we produce in Ludwigshafen,” said Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of the Monomers division at BASF. “We are investing in an efficient, Verbund-integrated and future-oriented production process because it is our priority to remain a reliable supplier of alcoholates to our customers in the future.”
BASF is a leading supplier of alcoholates for various applications. The new plant in Ludwigshafen complements BASF’s recently completed expansion of its sodium methylate production in Guaratinguetá, Brazil.
Wood Secures Feed Contract for Green Hydrogen Facility in the Netherlands
Wood has been awarded the front-end engineering design scope for the Zeevonk hydrogen facility, in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
(Source: Pixabay)
Feb 20 – Wood has been awarded the front-end engineering design (Feed) scope for the Zeevonk hydrogen facility, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The hydrogen plant will be powered by offshore wind and floating offshore solar from the Zeevonk offshore developments.
The Zeevonk project is a joint venture between Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments, through its Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I). This ambitious initiative will advance Vattenfall’s net-zero emissions goals and play a significant role in advancing Europe towards its target of meeting net-zero emissions by 2050.
The facility will be designed to reach significant peak consumption and, once complete, the produced hydrogen will be transported via pipeline to the nearby hydrogen grid, Hydrogen Network Rotterdam. This network is the first phase of the new Dutch hydrogen infrastructure centered in the Port of Rotterdam, one of Europe’s most significant energy ports.
OMV Petrom Begins Developing SAF, Renewable Diesel Production Unit
This new facility will position OMV Petrom as the first major producer of sustainable fuels in the Southeast Europe, with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons.
(Source: Pixabay)
Feb 24 – OMV Petrom has recently announced the start of construction for a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) production unit at the Petrobrazi refinery in Brazi, Romania. This new facility will position OMV Petrom as the first major producer of sustainable fuels in the Southeast Europe, with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons.
Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom: "Investing in sustainable fuel production is part of our Strategy 2030 and reflects OMV Petrom's commitment to energy transition and reducing carbon emissions. Sustainable fuels are essential to decarbonize transportation, especially in sectors where electrification is difficult to implement, such as aviation. Between 2022 and 2030, we are allocating 35 % of our investment budget towards projects that support the energy transition, in Romania and the region."
The new unit will enable OMV Petrom to integrate the production of SAF and HVO with the existing infrastructure for fuel production, storage, and distribution, thus meeting the region's sustainable mobility needs.
The project entails a total investment of 750 million euros, of which 560 million euros are allocated for the construction of the SAF/HVO unit, and 190 million euros for two green hydrogen production facilities.
Thyssenkrupp Uhde’s CCU Technology Selected for Ammonia, Urea Plants in Egypt
Thyssenkrupp Uhde has been selected by Mopco to supply advanced technology for three existing ammonia and urea plants in Damietta, Egypt.
(Source: Thyssenkrupp Uhde)
Feb 24 – Thyssenkrupp Uhde has been selected by Mopco – Misr Fertilizers Production Company (Egypt) – to supply advanced technology for three existing ammonia and urea plants in Damietta, Egypt, to enhance the sustainability of their production. Using an innovative carbon capture and usage (CCU) solution from Thyssenkrupp Uhde, the aim is to remove up to 145,000 t/year of CO2 from the flue gas of the existing ammonia production and use them in the urea production.
At the same time, three state-of-the-art uhde ammonia converter cartridges will be installed in the existing converters to increase ammonia production capacity while lowering natural gas consumption in the synthesis loop by around 10 %. To bring down CO2 emissions even further, additional green hydrogen feedstock will be sourced from new water electrolysis units powered by renewable energy. Mopco plans to produce up to 150,000 tons per year of green ammonia.
The ammonia and urea plants (three plants each) were originally built by Thyssenkrupp Uhde between 2006 and 2015, each plant having a capacity of approximately 1,200 metric tons per day (mtpd) of ammonia and 2,000 mtpd of urea respectively. Now, to increase ammonia production capacity, three new uhde ammonia converter cartridges will be inserted. The new cartridges, based on the latest design principles like removable beds with axial-radial flow design, will boost production by 150 mtpd per plant in order to allow Mopco to produce ammonia.
This is achieved through a significant increase of effective catalyst volumes and utilizing Johnson Matthey’s high-performance catalyst Katalco 74-1 as part of the solution.
BASF India Breaks Ground for New Microcellular Polyurethane Plant
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of the establishment of a new mold line, aimed at offering customized products that support the growth plans of various Original Equipment Manufacturers.
(Source: BASF)
Feb 25 – BASF India has broken ground on a new plant to increase the production capacity of its Cellasto microcellular polyurethane (MCU) in Dahej, India. Under BASF's new "Winning Ways" strategy, the plant will be constructed with state-of-the-art technologies and automation systems to ensure that BASF’s high standards of safety and quality are upheld. The plant, expected to be operational in the second half of 2026, features a new mold line in its first stage and empowers Cellasto to meet the high demands of the rapidly growing local market.
Committed to "Producing in India for India", Cellasto established its first plant in Dahej in 2014, providing superior solutions that deliver noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) reduction to the automotive industry. Cellasto’s latest significant investment demonstrates its readiness to support the growth plans of various Original Equipment Manufacturers and its confidence in the Indian market.
"The new facility is part of our efforts to innovate the production process. The plant will flexibly expand production further if demand increases. We emphasize our long-term commitment to better serve our Indian customers. I am confident that this strategic move will position us for sustained success in India," said Bjoern Kophstahl, Vice President, Global Business Management for Cellasto.