Company Background
ZEMAG Clean Energy Technology GmbH is a German engineering company specializing in coal gasification and coal upgrading technologies, established in 2010 and registered under HRB 12742 at the Amtsgericht Stendal. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Zemag Mingda Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd., a Chinese high-tech enterprise founded in 2002.
Historical Acquisition and Technology Transfer
The ZEMAG technology lineage traces back to 2005 when Shanghai Zemag Mingda Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd. acquired the original German ZEMAG company, which was founded in 1855. Through this acquisition, the Chinese parent company obtained the complete material handling and process equipment technology research and development teams, along with all associated intellectual property rights. This strategic acquisition brought over 150 years of German engineering expertise under Chinese ownership while maintaining operations in Germany.
BGL Gasification Technology Acquisition
The critical expansion of ZEMAG's technology portfolio occurred in 2010 when Shanghai Zemag Mingda purchased the advanced BGL (British Gas/Lurgi) slagging gasification technology from Lloyd's Register (英国劳氏船级社). This acquisition made ZEMAG one of the joint owners of the BGL technology, alongside Envirotherm GmbH.
The BGL technology itself was originally developed jointly by British Gas Corporation and Lurgi GmbH during the 1970s-1980s, building upon British Gas development work conducted at its Midlands Research Station in the late 1950s and brought to commercial status at the British Gas Westfield Development Centre in Scotland. The technology represents a significant advancement in fixed-bed coal gasification, utilizing a slagging process that produces vitreous slag rather than dry ash, enabling higher throughput and the ability to handle high-ash coals and coal fines.
Corporate Structure and Location
Following the establishment of ZEMAG Clean Energy Technology GmbH in 2010, the company has been located in the Zeitz Chemical and Industrial Park in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, at Dr.-Bergius-Straße 17, 06729 Elsteraue OT Tröglitz. This location has hosted ZEMAG operations since mid-2008, providing access to Germany's established chemical industry infrastructure.
Technology Portfolio and Capabilities
Through the dual acquisitions of 2005 and 2010, ZEMAG Clean Energy Technology GmbH inherited and now controls a complete set of process technologies covering the entire coal-to-energy conversion chain:
- Material Preparation Technologies: Crushing, screening, drying, and briquetting processes for upgrading low-grade coal, lignite, and alternative feedstocks.
- Gasification Technology: The BGL slagging gasification process, capable of converting coal, lignite briquettes, municipal solid waste, and biomass materials into high-quality synthesis gas. The technology features high cold gas efficiency (82-93%), low consumption of steam and oxygen, and exceptional fuel flexibility.
- Complete Engineering Services: Process design, equipment supply, technical services, and research and development capabilities spanning the full project lifecycle.
Business Model and Operations
ZEMAG Clean Energy Technology GmbH operates primarily as a technology licensor and engineering services provider, offering comprehensive solutions encompassing technology licensing, process design, patented equipment supply, and technical support. The company's business scope includes wholesale of machinery and equipment and engineering services for energy technology.
The German subsidiary works in coordination with its Chinese parent company's offices in Shanghai and Beijing to serve both domestic Chinese clients and international customers. This structure allows ZEMAG to leverage German engineering credibility while benefiting from Chinese manufacturing capabilities and market access.
Current Status and Legacy
While ZEMAG Clean Energy Technology GmbH remains a legally registered entity with approximately 3 employees, the company's active technology licensing activities appear to have diminished since the early 2010s when the majority of BGL installations were completed. The last documented references to active BGL technology licensing date from 2012. However, the installed base of BGL gasifiers at facilities like China Coal Tuke continues to operate successfully under previously granted licenses, demonstrating the enduring value of the technology heritage ZEMAG inherited through its strategic acquisitions.
