The three companies behind the One Synergy alliance have over 100 years of cumulative experience in methanol and syngas and to date had major roles in around 40 per cent of current global methanol capacity. The new team will provide leading edge technology and a stronger, faster, more effective service to the customer.
"Working as One Synergy, we offer comprehensive engineering, construction and commissioning services that can be tailored to match plant size, feedstock types and geographical location anywhere in the world," says Les Guthrie, President, Aker Kvaerner Oil, Gas and Process, Houston, Texas. "Furthermore, the complementary strengths of our three companies enable customers to move rapidly from technology selection to first revenue. We can see an abundance of opportunities for us to help clients reduce capital and operating costs through One Synergy's integrated capabilities and ultimately get their products to market more quickly."
"One Synergy's aim is to build on this intimate working relationship between our companies so that developments and improvements to technology can be driven harder whilst continuing our world class record of delivering designs and plants to customers on time and on budget", states Bill Bell, Vice President, Johnson Matthey Catalysts, Billingham, UK.
Davy Process Technology's Senior Vice President for business development and marketing - Fred Franklin - adds "One Synergy brings together the strongest combination of methanol technologists and designers in the world today. We provide the best supply chain for customers' needs and guarantee the results."
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Torbjørn Andersen, SVP Group Communications, Aker Kvaerner. Tel: +47 67 51 30 36, Mobile phone: +47 928 85 542
FACTS AND FURTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Further information is available at www.one-synergy.com
Current global output of methanol is running at around 35 million US tons (32 million tonnes) per annum and continues to grow, with one industry forecast indicating as much as 20 million US tons (18 million tonnes) per annum of new production capacity expected over the next five years.
Methanol, or methyl alcohol, is primarily manufactured from natural gas (methane) in a variety of proprietary processes. In the most frequently used route, natural gas is first reacted with steam at moderate pressure and high temperature over a catalyst in a reformer to produce synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas is then passed to another reactor holding a differing catalyst, where the carbon oxides and hydrogen are reacted under different process conditions to convert them into methanol and water. Pure methanol is then produced by separating the water in distillation columns. The methanol, a volatile colourless liquid, is used as the basis for solvents, antifreeze, fuel additives, and for making formaldehyde and acetic acid, leading to plastics, paints, explosives, plywood and textiles - and many other products.
Johnson Matthey Catalysts is a recognized leader in providing the high efficiency catalysts required, as well as holding several patented production processes, including the Low Pressure Methanol (LPM) and Leading Concept Methanol (LCM) processes.
Davy Process Technology is also a leading methanol technology provider and has improved the conventional process to provide an effective design for plants of 5000 MTD capacity. They have also developed a compact reformer that can replace conventional steam reformers.
Aker Kvaerner contributes its recognized leading-edge ability for executing major EPC projects around the world, with specific experience in 21 methanol projects that include large production plants in Chile and Trinidad. The company also has conceptual designs ready for offshore methanol production, using either floating production facilities or concrete gravity base platforms.
This press release may include forward-looking information or statements and is subject to our disclaimer, see our web-pages www.akerkvaerner.com