SUEZ enters partnership to deliver UK’s first waste-to-low-carbon LPG facility

Through the agreement, SUEZ and CFL will work together to produce renewable and recyclable dimethyl ether (rDME), a low-carbon liquid gas which allows off-grid households and businesses reliant on LPG to decarbonise their energy use.

According to SUEZ, the fuel possesses the ability to reduce emissions by over 85 per cent compared to fossil fuels, while also being safe, cost-effective, and clean-burning. When used in collaboration with carbon capture, the company says that use of the fuel can achieve over 100 per cent emissions saving, supporting the UK in achieving its 2050 net zero target.

SUEZ’s envisaged three-fold role in the project includes:

• Co-design and operate the pre-treatment process to produce a refuse-derived fuel.
• Provide operation and maintenance services for the plant, projected to produce over 50,000 tonnes of rDME.
• Supply portions of the estimated 250,000 tonnes of RDF feedstock required to produce the target levels of rDME.

LPG alternatives

The plant will use feedstock sourced from both household and commercial outlets. Non-recyclable waste will undergo a pre-treatment process, resulting in the creation of a refuse-derived fuel. This fuel will then be employed in an advanced gasification process to generate syngas and synthesised into renewable and recycled carbon DME.

The Teesworks plant is poised to supply this LPG alternative on a commercial scale, offering the fuel industry an alternative supply option and contributing to the sector’s goal of achieving 100 per cent renewable status by 2040.

John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “We’re looking forward to deploying SUEZ’s extensive expertise in energy recovery to work with Circular Fuels Limited as it scales up production of its LPG replacement fuel for households and businesses.

“Not only will this offer a fossil fuel alternative for off-grid households and businesses, it provides SUEZ’s customers with an innovative solution that reduces the carbon impact of managing their residual waste.

“Renewable and recycled carbon DME is a sustainable fuel that can form part of the UK’s transition to a Net Zero economy. It also has the potential to achieve negative CO2 emissions and replace more carbon intensive fuels, such as coal and heating oil.”

Ed Hartley, Commercial Director at Circular Fuels Limited, added: “We’re delighted to announce this MoU with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK today. As part of this MoU, we’re exploring numerous opportunities to work together, across all parts of the supply chain.

“Seeing the commitment from companies like SUEZ in the development of a circular economy through the production of Renewable and Recycled Carbon DME enables its critical role in delivering an energy transition for off-grid areas, and cements the importance of our mission. I look forward to seeing what we are able to achieve together in this partnership.”