Frequently asked questions

Methanol is a simple one-carbon alcohol and is a clear liquid at room temperature. It is essential to many industries with uses ranging from a feedstock in chemical production to a clean-burning fuel. Green methanol refers to methanol produced from renewable feedstocks, such as renewable electricity and methane from biogas. By using carbon from waste sources, our process creates net-zero methanol – releasing no new carbon to the atmosphere. 

Green methanol is a favourable alternative to other fuel sources for many reasons. Compared to conventional fuels, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60-95% and sulphur oxide emissions by 99%. Additionally, green methanol has many advantages over E-ammonia or green hydrogen as it is safer. 

Our core innovation lies in the development of a groundbreaking process to produce net zero green methanol from waste carbon sources, such as biogas from wastewater and food waste. Unlike competitors, our process involves a single-step reaction, simpler conditions, improved yield, and requires less infrastructure. Our technology concept is effectively a modular solar panel which makes methanol instead of electricity. The modular design allows for constant process conditions over a scaling factor of 40,000x. 

Birra’s technology allows methanol to be produced in one-step, offering a cheaper and easier method compared to competitors’ two-step process. Our proprietary plant uses light to convert biogas into green methanol and is independent of food supply or costly hydrogen. We address supply issues facing competitors through use of existing small-scale, city-based biogas. 

The shipping industry is an extremely difficult to decarbonise sector with a recent survey of shipowners and operators finding that fuel supply is the top decarbonisation challenge. This industry has chosen green methanol as their future sustainable fuel, however there is limited supply, and cost can be up to a 10 times premium. From 2021 to 2024, green methanol orders are up 13% and increasing exponentially. With our proprietary technology, Birra is in a unique position to outperform competitors and quickly decarbonise this hard to abate industry.

Beyond the immediate opportunities in the shipping sector, green methanol also has potential to decarbonise aviation and petrochemicals (from which all plastics, paints, synthetic clothes and many more are made). 

Our modular panel design allows for constant process conditions over a scaling factor of 40,000x. This means our lab-scale prototyping is directly applicable to the large-scale methanol production required for decarbonising the shipping industry. Additionally, our one-step process offers significant advantages to competitors’ two-step process with our methanol able to be produced over 50% cheaper.