What to do with the constant stream of municipal waste? The short answer is: "Burn it, recover some energy and be done with it." A more responsible method is used by Enerkem of Canada, who took the path of gasification - syn-gas production - catalytic conversion to for instance methanol, known as waste to chemicals.
Rotterdam has now taken the initiative to follow this path. A consortium consisting of AkzoNobel, Van Gansewinkel, Air Liquide, AVR, Enerkem and Havenbedrijf Rotterdam is looking to see if a business case can be made of this approach.
A decision is expected in the first half of 2017
