ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing has licensed its advanced fluid bed methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) technology to Aramco for a demonstration scale unit to be located in NEOM’s H₂ Innovation and Development Center (HIDC). Aramco plans to use the technology to convert renewable methanol into renewable synthetic gasoline.

Renewable synthetic gasoline has the potential to reduce transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. ExxonMobil’s fluid bed MTG design offers advantages related to capital expenditures (CAPEX), operating expenditures (OPEX), operational reliability and product quality versus a fixed bed process.

The commissioning of the licensed MTG unit is expected in 2025. The unit is planned to utilize methanol feedstock derived from green H₂ and CO₂ to produce synthetic, high-octane drop-in blend stock for potential use on/off road and in racing applications.