Seeking Technologies to Convert CO2-Derived Methanol to Polyoxymethylene

Polyoxymethylene (POM) is a high-performance engineered thermoplastic widely used in the automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors due to its excellent mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability. However, its conventional production relies heavily on formaldehyde derived from fossil-based methanol, presenting significant sustainability and carbon footprint challenges.

Amid growing environmental concerns and global net-zero commitments, carbon dioxide (CO₂) utilisation is emerging as a promising approach for transforming waste carbon into value-added materials. Among various CO₂-derived chemicals, methanol stands out as a viable and sustainable feedstock, offering a low-carbon alternative to traditional petrochemical-based inputs.

To advance circular economy goals and reduce reliance on fossil resources, a Singapore-based SME is seeking innovative and scalable technologies that can convert CO₂-derived methanol into POM or its intermediates such as formaldehyde or trioxane. Proposed solutions may include end-to-end pathways using commercially viable CO₂-derived methanol to produce POM, or novel routes that directly convert CO₂ into POM through intermediate steps.

The proposed technology should meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Utilises CO₂-derived methanol as the primary input, with preference for solutions compatible with industry-grade CO₂-methanol requiring minimal purification
• Covers full conversion from methanol to POM, including polymerisation to produce high molecular weight POM and minimal production of undesired by-products or waste
• Adaptable or integrable with existing chemical processing infrastructure
• Demonstrates significant carbon footprint reduction compared to conventional fossil-based POM production
• Offers a cost structure that is competitive with or has potential to outperform traditional POM production routes
• Preferred TRL 4-7 with opportunities for the tech seeker to license the technology for commercialization
• Should have the potential to initiate early customer testing with CO₂-derived POM within 24 to 36 months (negotiable)
• Technologies able to directly convert CO₂ into POM or intermediates e.g., formaldehyde, trioxane are also of interest

• Non-CO₂ pathways to produce POM or its intermediates (e.g., formaldehyde, trioxane) that do not incorporate CO₂-derived methanol or other forms of carbon capture and utilisation
• Technologies limited to CO₂ capture and conversion into methanol without downstream processes such as intermediate synthesis or polymerisation into POM
• Low-TRL concepts (≤ TRL 3) with limited validation or lacking a clear development pathway toward industrial application

• Business Collaboration (Joint Venture)
• IP Acquisition
• Licensing
• R&D Collaboration