HyOrc, a US-based developer of waste-to-fuel technologies, is expanding its presence in Europe through two new agreements to develop green methanol production facilities in the UK and Portugal. This initiative is part of the company’s strategy to establish a scalable low-carbon fuel supply chain to support the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
The company has signed memoranda of understanding with Acetech Metals in Scunthorpe and Start Lda in Porto for the development of production facilities with a combined annual output exceeding 38,000 tonnes of green methanol. The output is primarily intended for marine and industrial applications, as demand increases in response to tightening emissions regulations under EU climate policy.
Both projects will utilise HyOrc’s proprietary gasification and methanol synthesis systems, which convert refuse-derived fuel (RDF) into high-purity methanol. The use of waste-derived feedstocks is expected to lower lifecycle emissions while contributing to regional energy security.
The UK facility, located in Scunthorpe, will process municipal waste to produce methanol and generate clean electricity. The plant is expected to commence operations with a capacity of 35 tonnes per day, which will increase to 150 tonnes per day. Once fully operational, it is projected to produce approximately 13,000 tonnes of methanol per year.
In Portugal, HyOrc will collaborate with Start Lda, a domestic trader of liquid and gaseous fuels, to establish a facility in Porto with a planned annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes. The site’s proximity to key Atlantic shipping routes and port infrastructure is seen as strategically important for maritime distribution.
Andrea Magalini, Director of Business Development at HyOrc: ‘Our Porto agreement marks a significant milestone in HyOrc’s European growth strategy. We are systematically identifying the right locations to anchor a scalable supply chain for green fuels that can serve maritime, industrial, and transport applications for decades to come.’
The company views these developments as first steps towards building a more extensive European production network for low-carbon methanol. Future expansion is anticipated in response to growing demand from the shipping industry for alternative fuels that align with EU decarbonisation policies.
HyOrc has indicated that the Porto facility alone could generate approximately US$390 million in lifetime revenue. Both projects are expected to contribute to local employment and support circular economy objectives by converting waste streams into valuable fuel products.
For shipowners seeking compliance with FuelEU Maritime and other emissions-related regulations, green methanol produced from waste offers a commercially viable, low-carbon alternative to conventional marine fuels.
