03. Nov 2025
Blue Circle Olefins secures funding for methanol-to-olefins facility
Last week Blue Circle Olefins has secured funding for the next phase of ProjectNL, the development of a commercial Methanol to Olefins (MTO) production facility in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The investment by a consortium of private investors together with a Kansen voor West subsidy enables the start of the conceptual engineering and permitting process. The highly electrified 200,000 tonne plant will convert sustainable methanol into 100 % circular ethylene and propylene, the basic building blocks for about 60 % of all products produced by the chemical industry in Europe. When the facility becomes operational by 2030, it will enable a reduction of more than 80 % of the life cycle GHG emissions of plastics (PP, PE and PVC) compared to current fossil production processes.
Blue Circle Olefins has further selected Rotterdam as the location of choice for the development of the Project.
Ralph Koekkoek, CEO Blue Circle Olefins, comments: “Securing this funding represents an important step in the development of ProjectNL. It provides the means to begin the conceptual engineering and permitting phase, a crucial stage on the path to reaching commercial operation in 2030. As the largest methanol hub in Europe, the Port of Rotterdam offers the ideal location to realize this facility.”
Nico van Dooren, Director New Business of Port of Rotterdam: “We welcome Blue Circle Olefins in the Port of Rotterdam and are looking forward to facilitating them in the final site selection process. The production of fully circular chemical feedstocks is an excellent fit with our strategy to become a climate neutral and circular Port contributing to resilience, security of supply and strategic autonomy.” AT
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