Develops and licenses C1 catalysis technology for the cost-efficient, decentralized production of green methanol.
C1 Green Chemicals AG
Berlin · Leuna (Leuna Chemical Park)New on Amplifa
About C1 Green Chemicals
C1 Green Chemicals AG is a Berlin-based cleantech company fundamentally redeveloping the production of green methanol. The core of the technology is the patented C1 catalysis, an ultra-fast, highly efficient homogeneous catalysis developed on the basis of quantum-chemical simulations and laboratory experiments. It enables the synthesis of ultra-pure, fossil-free methanol at low pressure and low temperature from non-fossil feedstocks (syngas) – even in decentralized, containerized plants (C1 reactor). The world's first industrial-scale pilot plant for cost-efficient green methanol, Leuna100, is located in the Leuna Chemical Park and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport with €10.4 million. Target markets are shipping, aviation and the chemical industry; a partnership with Maersk for the decarbonization of shipping has existed since 2023. The business model comprises the development and licensing of the technology; since 2025, the construction of a demonstration plant for commercialization has been advanced.
- Site
- Berlin
- Processes
- Green methanol production via C1 catalysis (ultra-efficient homogeneous catalysis, low pressure, Methanol synthesis in the containerized C1 reactor (decentralized production plant), Development and licensing of the C1 catalysis technology, C1 reactor (containerized reactor for green methanol production), Leuna100 pilot plant for green methanol production, Planned construction of a demonstration plant from 2025
- Materials
- Green Methanol (methanol produced without fossil inputs, ultra-pure), Syngas (non-fossil feedstocks), Green Methanol, Syngas from non-fossil feedstocks
- Certificates
- Technology verification of continuous process (2024)
- Industries
- Shipping, Aviation, Chemical industry, Shipping (green methanol as fuel)
- 01
Quantum-chemical simulation and catalyst development
- 02
C1 catalysis (homogeneous catalysis)
- 03
Containerized C1 reactor
- 04
Methanol synthesis from non-fossil syngas
- 05
Piloting in Leuna100
- 06
Scale-up to demonstration plant and licensing
Feedstocks and Processes
Green Methanol
Ultra-pure methanol produced without fossil inputs as a CO2-neutral fuel for shipping and aviation as well as a non-fossil carbon source for the chemical industry.
Syngas from non-fossil feedstocks
Feed gas for methanol synthesis; the C1 catalysis tolerates impurities, thus enabling the use of non-fossil feedstocks.
Sites
Berlin
DECorporate headquarters (registered office)
Leuna
DEPilot plant Leuna100 in the Leuna Chemical Park
- Materials
- Green methanol, syngas
- Pilot plant Leuna100
- C1 reactor (containerized methanol synthesis)
Technology and Plants
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green methanol production via C1 catalysis (ultra-efficient homogeneous catalysis, low pressureEngineering | – | – | – | – | Green Methanol, Syngas |
| Methanol synthesis in the containerized C1 reactor (decentralized production plant)Engineering | – | – | – | – | Green Methanol |
2 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot plant for green methanol production (Leuna100) | C1 Green Chemicals AG Leuna100 | 1 | – | – | Leuna, Germany (Leuna Chemical Park) |
| Containerized methanol reactor (C1 reactor) | C1 Green Chemicals AG C1 reactor | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Technology Verification and Quality
The continuous production process for green methanol was verified in record time in 2024; the technology is based on quantum-chemically validated predictions and is being validated in the Leuna100 pilot plant.
| Evidence | Leuna |
|---|---|
| Technology verification of continuous process (2024) |
History
- 2022
C1 presents itself as a Berlin start-up with prominent investors (including Planet A Ventures) with the goal of making the chemical industry more sustainable; Founder/CTO Dr. Marek Checinski (founded March 31, 2022).
- 2023
On January 12, 2023, Maersk announces a partnership with C1 to accelerate the decarbonization of shipping.
- 2023
On March 28, 2023, C1 presents its own reactor for green methanol.
- 2023
On August 15, 2023, the €10.4 million funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport for the consortium of Fraunhofer, DBI, TU Berlin and C1 for 'Leuna100' is announced.
- 2023
On November 20, 2023, the world's first pilot plant for the cost-efficient production of green methanol is opened by Transport Minister Dr. Volker Wissing in the Leuna Chemical Park.
- 2024
On March 18, 2024, C1 demonstrates a continuous production process for green methanol in record time.
- 2024
On September 4, 2024, C1 produces methanol in the Leuna100 pilot plant for the first time.
- 2025
On March 19, 2025, C1 secures a further €20 million in capital for commercialization; construction of a demonstration plant is to begin in 2025.
- 2025/2026
Inventor, founder and CTO Dr. Marek Checinski leaves C1 at the end of 2025 (announced May 2026) and returns to CreativeQuantum; C1 focuses on commercialization.