ICODOS pilot plant at EBS Mannheim Power-to-X test site
The demonstration of an innovative e-methanol process is the focus of the POSEIDON project. It involves designing, building, and testing an advanced prototype plant converting carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen (H₂), and renewable power into synthetic methanol. This cutting-edge prototype is designed and built by partner ICODOS, and will have a production capacity of 500 liters of renewable e-methanol per day. The pilot plant will be tested at a test site hosted by EBS Mannheim in Mannheim, Germany.
The produced e-methanol will undergo tests in 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines and a pilot boat to assess fuel quality and compatibility. These demonstration activities will help validate POSEIDON’s technical solutions and provide technical data required for comprehensive technical, economic, environmental, and social assessments.
Taking e-methanol production to the next scale
The synthetic methanol pilot plant builds upon a proof-of-concept methanol plant developed by partner Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and licensed to partner ICODOS. They have already collaborated with EBS Mannheim, as they inaugurated together in April 2025 Mannheim 001, the first ICODOS proof of concept module demonstrated at EBS Mannheim that has a production capacity of 50 L/day. POSEIDON aims to upscale the technology from TRL5 (50 L/day) to TRL7 (500 L/day), representing a tenfold increase in production capacity.
At the core of the ICODOS technology is a hybrid process which combines CO2 capture and methanol synthesis within one system. This integrated approach reduces both investment and operating costs by lowering the energy required for compression and minimising overall equipment needs. ICODOS technology therefore plays a crucial role to support the production of renewable fuels for shipping and the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
Power-to-X: turning biogas and renewable energy into fuel
The pilot plant is located at a wastewater treatment site operated by the municipal drainage operation EBS Mannheim in Germany. The EBS Wastewater Treatment Plant treats an average of 81,000 m³ of wastewater per day originating from households, industry, and commercial activities across the entire city of Mannheim. The treatment plant is designed for a population equivalent of approximately 725,000 inhabitants.
The test site was chosen deliberately as wastewater treatment process produces biogas, which POSEIDON will utilise and turn into a valuable feedstock for e-methanol production. At the test site, EBS Mannheim supplies POSEIDON with biogas generated from wastewater treatment. The biogas is first processed to separate CO₂ from methane. Then, the captured CO₂ is used as a feedstock and, together with hydrogen supplied to the plant, converted into e-methanol. The remaining methane is returned to the EBS facility, where it is used to generate heat and electricity.
Building the pilot plant at the EBS test site offers several advantages. Existing site infrastructure can be used for integration and utility connections, reducing the amount of additional site preparation needed compared with a greenfield installation. It also supports efficient implementation of the demonstration activities and limits temporary on-site work. In addition, EBS Mannheim’s established network of suppliers for civil engineering work facilitates the identification of contractors for necessary adaptations.
This set up reflects realistic operating conditions and demonstrate how e-methanol production can be integrated into existing industrial processes. It also provides valuable performance data to support further technical, economic and environmental assessments.
Progress Highlights
March 2024: Basic engineering study of the pilot plant was completed.
July 2025: Detailed engineering tasks including process control, automation and a 3D model of the plant, were delivered.
April 2026: First two modules of the pilot plant arrived at the EBS Mannheim test site.
July 2026: Hydrogen storage platform and pilot plant foundation are under construction.
