Hard to decarbonise industries?
Introducing cost-competitive green methanol.
Our company
Introducing Birra Technologies (“Birra”), a clean-tech startup based in Brisbane, Australia, with a mission to drive the world towards a sustainable energy system inspired by nature.
Our team
With a combined 80 years of expertise in the net zero sector, Birra is poised to disrupt the hard-to decarbonise shipping, aviation and petrochemical landscapes by offering cost-competitive green methanol.
The issue
Our primary market of marine shipping accounts for 90% of global trade and 3% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. By 2050, the total GHG contribution is predicted to rise to up to 8%. Our secondary markets suffer from the same issues, with the petrochemical and aviation sectors accounting for 4% and 3% of global emissions, respectively.
The shipping industry has chosen green methanol to hit their net zero targets, with methanol ship orders increasing exponentially from zero in 2021, to a 13% share of the total order book early in 2024.
Currently, there is limited green methanol fuel supply and what is available can cost up to 10x existing fuel prices. An operator survey found that future fuel cost & supply are the top challenges.
“Why did we choose methanol? It’s very simple.
It works, and it works now.”
— Maersk, the world’s second largest shipper.
Our solution
Birra Technologies has developed a novel technology that converts carbon-neutral biogas to green methanol in only a single-stage. Our technology halves the cost and number of steps compared to the existing approach using syngas.
Our process will produce green methanol up 2.8x faster than current commercial methanol catalysis and its modular design minimises scale risks.
Our design
We have designed a modular falling film panel reactor incorporating our proprietary catalyst. The panel uses sunlight to convert carbon-neutral waste biogas into green methanol. It’s a solar panel, but makes methanol, not electricity.
Our process operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. This offers significant energy and technological advantages when compared to the existing process that typically requires temperatures above 800°C and 20 atmospheres of pressure.
Our vision
To transition the world to a circular and sustainable energy system, inspired by nature.
We believe in the power of positive contributions to Communities and the Environment, and our connection to our hometown of Brisbane is in our name - Birra means Sky in the local Turrbal language. The Sky is our limit.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands upon which we operate and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Net zero methanol.
Net zero cost premium.
The time is now.
Latest news from Birra Technologies
Progress Update March 2025
An update from Birra Technologies.
Team and Advisory Board Update March 2025
A team and advisory board update from Birra Technologies.
Climate 10x Accelerator
Our experience at the C10x Climate Accelerator from UNSW.