CCC/225 ISBN 978-92-9029-545-7

October 2013

copyright © IEA Clean Coal Centre

Abstract

Coal gasification for chemicals, gaseous and liquid fuels production can fulfil an important strategic

need in those developing countries where coal is the primary fuel source and oil and gas energy

security is an issue. At the same time, the establishment of major projects in such countries can be

problematical for a number of technical and economic reasons, although it is encouraging that some

projects appear to be moving forward. There are two developing countries where coal conversion

projects to produce chemicals, gaseous and liquid fuels have been taken forward strongly. The first is

South Africa, which established the world’s only commercial-scale coal-to-liquids and coal-tochemicals

facilities at Secunda and Sasolburg respectively. The other is China, where there is a major

gasification-based coal conversion development and deployment programme that is set to become a

significant, large-scale commercial element in the nation’s energy development plans. This will

provide further major opportunities for the deployment of large-scale coal gasification technologies,

various syngas conversion units and catalysts for the subsequent production of the required products.

The role of China is likely to be critical in the dissemination of such technologies to other developing

countries as it can not only provide the technical expertise but also financially underpin such projects,

including the associated infrastructure needs.