CRI EHF

Their core work

Carbon Recycling International produces renewable methanol by combining captured CO2 emissions with hydrogen generated from renewable electricity — a process known as Power-to-Methanol or carbon capture and utilization (CCU). They are one of the few companies worldwide operating a commercial-scale CO2-to-methanol plant (the George Olah facility in Iceland). Within H2020, they contributed industrial methanol synthesis expertise to consortia working on steel gas valorization and CO2 conversion, while also developing their own renewable methanol production chain through the CIRCLENERGY project (progressing from SME Phase 1 feasibility to Phase 2 commercialization).

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CRI's early H2020 involvement (2014–2017) centered on participating in large consortia focused on methanol synthesis from CO2 and industrial waste gases (MefCO2, FReSMe), where they contributed their existing reactor and catalyst expertise. From 2017 onward, they shifted toward leading their own projects — taking CIRCLENERGY from SME Phase 1 feasibility study to Phase 2 scale-up — while also branching into upstream hydrogen production technology through the GAMER electrolyser project. This trajectory shows a company moving from technology contributor to technology integrator, seeking to control more of the Power-to-Methanol value chain.

CRI is moving toward full Power-to-Methanol value chain ownership, integrating advanced electrolysis with their proven CO2 conversion technology — making them increasingly relevant as the e-fuels market scales up.

How they like to work

CRI operates as both a project leader and a specialist contributor. They coordinated both CIRCLENERGY phases (their own commercialization pathway) while participating as a technology partner in larger RIA/IA consortia like MefCO2 and FReSMe. With 26 unique partners across 10 countries from just 5 projects, they connect broadly rather than repeatedly — typical of an SME that brings a specific industrial capability (methanol synthesis) that many different research groups want access to.

CRI has collaborated with 26 partners across 10 countries, building a pan-European network despite being based in Iceland. Their partnerships span the energy and heavy industry value chain, connecting them to steel producers, electrolyser developers, and chemical engineering research groups.

What sets them apart

CRI is one of very few companies in Europe — and globally — that has operated a commercial CO2-to-methanol plant, giving them real industrial production data that most competitors lack. This operational experience makes them an exceptionally credible partner for any consortium working on Power-to-X, e-fuels, or CCU commercialization. For consortium builders, they bring something rare: not just research capability, but a proven production track record in renewable methanol at industrial scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FReSMe
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 1.85M) — demonstrated CRI's methanol technology applied to steel industry waste gases, bridging energy and heavy industry decarbonization.
• Circlenergy
  SME Phase 2 scale-up (EUR 1.83M) following successful Phase 1 feasibility — represents CRI's own commercialization roadmap for renewable methanol production.
• GAMER
  Signals CRI's strategic expansion into electrolyser technology, moving upstream in the Power-to-Methanol value chain beyond their core methanol synthesis.