German Evonik substitutes LPG for natural gas at large Marl site

German Evonik is substituting up to 40% of natural gas at its new gas-fired power plant in Germany with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to generate energy, the company announced on Tuesday. 

With the aim of making energy supply at its German sites significantly less dependent on natural gas, the company said that "substitution with alternative energy sources can replace up to 40% of Germany's natural gas supply - without significantly curtailing chemical production.”

Christian Kullmann, chairman of Evonik, said the energy supply at European sites is consequently largely secured, even if Russia stops gas flow.

In addition to safeguarding its own production, Evonik said it would contribute to saving natural gas in Germany, with a substitution volume equivalent to the annual consumption of more than 100,000 households.

Kullmann explained that by substituting natural gas with LPG and continuing to operate the coal-fired power plant, the company could dispense completely with natural gas for energy supply at its largest German site in Marl - without any significant curtailments in production.

The company said the natural gas volumes released are available to replenish natural gas storage facilities in the country with support from bp with its contribution to LPG supplies at the Marl site.