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slow rate of construction of the supporting facilities for optimistic about the development prospects of the DME
distribution, for manufacturing DME cylinders and DME sector in alleviating the tight energy supply.
stoves. The slow progress of development of standards
has also been a hindrance. Overall, China remains very

Korea
In Korea, the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) successfully KOGAS has major planned construction of a 600,000
constructed a 10 ton/d demo plant and successfully TPA plant in Nigeria and a 300,000 TPA plant in Malaysia.
tested the 20wt% DME/LPG blend as a cooking fuel with Both plants will be mainly targeting markets in Malaysia,
102 households and 133 medium sized consumers. Indonesia, South Korea, India and Africa for applications
KOGAS estimates that they can produce DME at US$ such as household cooking fuel, vehicular and power
14.11/mmbtu compared to the market price including generation fuel and for chemical applications (eg.
freight for LPG of US$ 21.26/mmbtu and Diesel of US$ propellant).
21.99/mmbtu based on March 2013 prices.

Sweden Generally, the trial demonstrated cleaner emissions and
The first BioDME plant was commissioned in September similar fuel consumption properties compared to diesel.
2010 in Sweden and produces 4 tonnes/d. This joint
venture project was led by Volvo and included the Haldor Topsoe has successfully tested DME in Denmark
companies, Chemrec, Delphi, ETC, Haldor Topsoe, as a vehicular fuel on a Danish bus from 1996 – 1998.
PREEM and Total. Volvo then commenced a test run of Isuzu has also proven the technology and currently have 2
DME as a vehicular fuel. A fleet of 10 heavy duty DME medium duty trucks operating. They ran for about 130,000
trucks have been tested and as of December 31, 2012, km between 2009 and 2013 and Isuzu is confident of their
they had covered a combined distance of 824,798 km. readiness for commercial production.

INDUSTRY JOURNAL 16