Carbon Recycling International (CRI) has successfully installed its proprietary, third-generation Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) methanol converter at China Tianying’s Liaoyuan project in Jilin Province. Serving as the heart of the world’s largest operational e-methanol plant upon its launch later this year, the facility will produce
Liaoyuan, China | June 30, 2026 – Carbon Recycling International (CRI) has achieved a definitive engineering milestone in the global e-fuels race with the successful delivery and installation of the world’s largest e-methanol reactor. The mega-scale reactor was erected at the heart of the Liaoyuan E-Methanol Project in Jilin Province, China. Developed by Chinese environmental energy titan China Tianying Inc. (CNTY), the installation marks the final construction sprint before commissioning and start-up operations begin later this year.
Once fully online, the Liaoyuan hub will claim the title of the largest operational e-methanol plant in existence. The initial phase is engineered to churn out approximately 170,000 metric tonnes of renewable methanol annually, providing a vital low-carbon fuel liferaft to the global commercial shipping, aviation, and chemical manufacturing sectors.
Liaoyuan E-Methanol Production Ecosystem (Phase 1)
- Sustainable Inputs: Combines Green Hydrogen and Biogenic CO2 to feed the production cycle.
- Advanced Processing: Utilizes the CRI 3rd Gen ETL Reactor for efficient catalytic methanation.
- High-Volume Output: Yields 170,000 tonnes per year of high-quality e-methanol supply.
- End-Use Applications: Directs the finished e-methanol toward deep-sea fleet bunkering and sustainable chemical feedstocks.
Technical Core: 3rd-Generation Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) Technology
At the center of this project is CRI’s proprietary Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) technology. The newly installed methanol converter reactor serves as the catalytic chamber where green hydrogen (generated via renewable-powered water electrolysis) is bound to captured biogenic carbon dioxide.
This specific reactor represents CRI’s third-generation (Gen 3) design, incorporating nearly twenty years of industrial operating experience. Because renewable hydrogen assets rely heavily on intermittent solar and wind grids, CRI’s Gen 3 reactor is specially optimized for operational flexibility. It can ramp up or dial down its internal catalytic throughput safely to match fluctuating power states without poisoning the catalyst bed or disrupting temperature equilibriums.
Logistics & Global Scaling
Fabricating, transporting, and lifting a heavy-chemical component of this scale across multiple nations required deep multinational logistics synchronization. The successful hoist onto its foundations shifts the project from mechanical installation to chemical and pipeline integration.
| Location | Facility Role & Status | Production Capacity |
| Anyang Site | Active Reference Hub | Commercial production active |
| Lianyungang Site | Active Reference Hub | Commercial production active |
| Liaoyuan Mega-Hub | Commissioning / Launching in 2026 | 170,000 Tonnes / Year |
The Liaoyuan plant builds directly on CRI’s successful commercial deployments across mainland China. The Icelandic tech pioneer already maintains two operational reference plants at Anyang and Lianyungang, the latter of which recycles roughly 160,000 tonnes of captured CO2 annually. The Jilin project radically scales this footprint, establishing a blueprint for heavy-industry carbon circularity.
Strategic Asset Metrics & Project Overview
| Project Parameter | Operational Metric & Vendor Specifics |
| Technology Provider | Carbon Recycling International (CRI) |
| Project Developer | China Tianying Inc. (CNTY) |
| Asset Location | Liaoyuan, Jilin Province, China |
| Core Technology | Gen 3 Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) Methanol Converter |
| Annual Phase 1 Output | 170,000 Metric Tonnes of E-Methanol |
| Primary Feedstocks | Green Hydrogen (H2) + Captured Biogenic Carbon Dioxide (CO2) |
| Target Offtake Markets | Global Commercial Shipping Bunkering, Green Chemicals |
Executive Commentary
With international regulatory bodies like the IMO mandating strict greenhouse gas reduction targets, the commercial race to lock down physical volume of e-fuels has intensified.
“The installation of the methanol converter reactor is an important milestone for both Tianying and CRI,” stated John Milner, Project Manager at Carbon Recycling International. “The reactor is the core of our ETL technology and embodies nearly two decades of innovation, engineering development, and commercial operating experience. Seeing this equipment installed at one of the world’s most ambitious renewable energy projects is a proud moment for our team.”
As the maritime sector moves aggressively toward dual-fuel methanol vessel orders, assets like the Jilin reactor will act as the vital supply-side pillars needed to turn green shipping corridors into a commercial reality.
About Carbon Recycling International (CRI)
Carbon Recycling International (CRI) is a recognized pioneer and technology leader in the Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) market, offering a unique, proven-at-scale Emissions-to-Liquids (ETL) solution that transforms carbon dioxide and hydrogen into sustainable fuels and chemicals. Founded in 2006 in Iceland, the company made history by producing and selling the world’s first certified e-methanol. Today, CRI delivers comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that enable global industries to transition toward a circular economy. With a current technology portfolio capable of recycling over 300,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, CRI successfully scales global decarbonization efforts, turning environmental liabilities into high-value, infrastructure-ready resources.
Source: CRI