From April 24 to 26, 2026, the 2nd International Forum on Renewable Methanol Innovation and Development was held in Nanning, Guangxi. The event was jointly organized by the China International Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology, the China Energy Society, the Beijing Energy and Environment Society, and the Guangxi Academy of Sciences. Mr. Yang Shaojun, Deputy General Manager of ZHGAS, was invited to attend and deliver a keynote speech titled “CGAS Circulating Fluidized Bed Gasification and Combustion Technology Solutions and Engineering Applications for Coal / Biomass / Carbon-based Solid Waste”. The presentation focused on the company’s technological breakthroughs and industrial application practices in the field of biomass gasification.
In his speech, Yang Shaojun pointed out that green methanol represents a crucial pathway for achieving deep decarbonization in sectors such as shipping and transportation, with biomass gasification to syngas being a core link in this process. Since 2004, the Circulating Fluidized Bed Laboratory of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences has been conducting research on biomass circulating fluidized bed combustion technology. In recent years, the laboratory has focused on breakthroughs in biomass gasification to syngas technology. Addressing the specific characteristics of biomass feedstock, the R&D team innovatively proposed a “staged gasification” technical route, effectively solving common industry challenges such as high tar content in biomass gasification and corrosion caused by alkali metals.
During the technology development phase, the R&D team completed pilot tests on dozens of types of agricultural and forestry biomass, accumulating over 1,000 hours of pilot operation. These trials verified gasification performance under various feedstock conditions and operating parameters. On this basis, the team established a domestically leading biomass gasification characteristic database, providing critical data support for subsequent process package development and engineering design.
As the exclusive licensee and industrial implementation entity of the atmospheric biomass circulating fluidized bed staged gasification technology, ZHGAS has successfully advanced the technology into engineering applications. The company undertook the entire scope of the gasification island for the “50,000 t/y Bio-Methanol Demonstration Project”in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. Its responsibilities covered process package development, engineering studies, process system integration, engineering design, proprietary gasifier equipment development, integrated process equipment supply, as well as on-site technical services and operational guidance. Commissioned in November 2025, the project is China’s first commercial-scale bio-methanol production initiative. Using agricultural and forestry biomass as feedstock and applying a pure oxygen gasification process, the facility produces syngas for downstream methanol synthesis, realizing the conversion of biomass waste into high-value green fuel.
Currently, ZHGAS is collaborating with the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other partners to develop biomass pressurized gasification technology.
In addition, ZHGAS and Baowu Environment Technology are jointly implementing a 100 t/d waste and biomass gasification project, which applies biomass gasification technology to the low-carbon co-processing of steel industry sludge and organic solid waste. This initiative explores a “treating waste with waste” approach, charting a low-carbon development pathway for the steel sector.
Yang Shaojun noted that ZHGAS will continue to focus on the engineering and industrialization of biomass gasification technology. Leveraging both the scientific research strengths of the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and its own end-to-end engineering service capabilities, the company aims to advance the large-scale development of green fuels such as green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), thereby contributing to China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals as well as the global energy transition.
