Gas to liquids (GTL) projects were originally seen as a feasible means of increasing value from the extensive natural gas resources being produced in North America. To date the role of GTL in North American crude oil supply is limited and the probability of GTL emerging as a profitable oil production process is highly unlikely. However, one supplier has developed a value stream for a related technology, emissions-to-liquids methanol, presenting a new source of liquid fuel that couples as a carbon capture and storage (CCS) mechanism.

Carbon Recycling International (CRI) is a world leader in power to methanol technology and they have innovated a new renewable fuel that does not impact the food chain or other land resources. Vulcanol is a renewable methanol fuel produced from carbon dioxide, hydrogen and electricity; it is a true zero-carbon footprint fuel source.

Vulcanol technology includes harvesting carbon dioxide from industrial plants, agriculture or other CCS mechanisms. This waste gas is processed with hydrogen, typically obtained through hydrolysis, to produce a renewable fuel from non-biological feedstocks.

CRI is engaged in licensing, construction and operation of large-scale Vulcanol production facilities, as well as the production of Vulcanol from their first commercial-scale production facility in Grindavik, Iceland. CRI currently operates a 4,000 metric-ton-per-year capacity facility.

Vulcanol technology could stand to compete with other biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, as well as support the growth of CCS technology. It not only addresses scarce land resources but also addresses the limitations of current CCS technology, such as limited piping and transport infrastructure.