It is a very meaningful achievement for BioFriends Inc. to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its second plant with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons near the first plant in Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, which is currently in operation on February 14. This is a more valuable reversal since Korea Gas Corporation, which had been operating even a demonstration plant, virtually abandoned the DME business several years ago.

DME (Di-Methyl Ether/molecular formula CH₃OCH₃) is ether with the smallest number of carbons and is a clean energy with similar properties to LP gas (propane). Although it is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure, it has high solubility in many chemicals and is a chemically and thermally stable substance that can be easily liquefied and transported in containers. Currently, it is mainly mixed with aerosols, foaming agents, and refrigerants.

At one time, in Korea, a pilot project was implemented in which 20% of DME was mixed with expensive LP gas to supply it as a livelihood energy, but it failed. However, in Europe and Chile, a win-win cooperation system has been established between the LPG and DME industries, and the supply of LPG-rDME mixed fuel is actively progressing.

In particular, the second plant of BioFriends, which started construction this time, will capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from the cement manufacturing plant in Danyang, North Chungcheong Province, convert it to methanol, and transport it to the first plant in Boeun-gun to produce DME. Since it is a high-value-added technology of decarbonization and the rebirth of clean energy, the need to reevaluate the value of the domestic DME industry and foster it as an export industry has increased.

The company is even more encouraging as it is about to be selected as the final operator of plant construction that produces 5,000 tons of DME per year from methanol in Indonesia. We wish for the safe completion of the 2nd factory and the success of the journey with long-term intentions.



Source : GasNews(http://www.gasnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=103747)