KBR’s Methanol Technology Selected by Fikrat Al-Tadweer for the First Biomethanol Plant in Saudi Arabia

Rhea-AI Summary

KBR (NYSE: KBR) has been awarded a contract by Fikrat Al-Tadweer to supply its PureMSM green methanol technology for the first biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia, announced December 16, 2025.

The facility will convert landfill-gas into renewable methanol; KBR will provide technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, catalyst, and proprietary equipment. PureMSM can accept a wide range of feedstocks including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO2, aimed at low-cost, commercial-scale renewable methanol production.

KBR said the project aligns with Saudi national policy to eliminate landfill gas emissions and support sustainable fuels, reflecting the company’s ongoing work in commercializing low-carbon process technologies.

News Market Reaction

-1.14%

1 alert

-1.14% News Effect

On the day this news was published, KBR declined 1.14%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Sustainable tech experience: over 50 years

1 metrics

Sustainable tech experience over 50 years KBR sustainable process technology development and plant design

Market Reality Check

Price: $42.15 Vol: Volume 1,342,797 vs 20-da...

normal vol

$42.15 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,342,797 vs 20-day average 1,189,477 (relative volume 1.13) ahead of this news. normal

Technical Price $43.08, trading below 200-day MA at $48.38 and well under the $60.98 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves: FLR -1.57%, IESC -1.5%, ROAD -0.24%, while PRIM +1.69% a...

Peers show mixed moves: FLR -1.57%, IESC -1.5%, ROAD -0.24%, while PRIM +1.69% and DY +0.23%, suggesting today’s setup is more stock-specific than sector-driven.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 04 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 04	Defense support contract	Positive	+1.9%	Awarded estimated $117M F/A-18 foreign military sales support contract.
Nov 20	Space suit testing	Positive	-1.8%	Completed key AxEMU thermal vacuum and dual-suit tests with Axiom Space.
Nov 06	Iraq gas project design	Positive	-2.5%	Selected to deliver detailed engineering for TotalEnergies’ Iraqi gas project.
Nov 04	Qatar offshore contract	Positive	+1.8%	Won detailed engineering contract for Bul Hanine offshore field in Qatar.
Nov 03	JV acquisition	Positive	-2.8%	Brown & Root JV agreed to acquire Specialty Welding and Turnarounds.

Pattern Detected

Recent contract and partnership announcements often drew mixed price responses, with several positive-sounding awards followed by negative next-day moves.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, KBR has reported multiple contract wins and strategic initiatives. On Nov 3, its Brown & Root joint venture agreed to acquire SWAT, broadening specialty welding and turnaround services. Early November saw detailed engineering awards in Qatar and Iraq supporting major energy projects. Later, in November and December, KBR highlighted defense FMS support and advanced spacesuit testing. Today’s Saudi biomethanol contract extends this theme of diversified, technically complex awards.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights KBR’s selection to supply its PureMSM green methanol technology for Sau...

Analysis

This announcement highlights KBR’s selection to supply its PureMSM green methanol technology for Saudi Arabia’s first biomethanol plant, adding another sustainability-focused contract alongside recent energy and defense wins. The project involves converting landfill-gas into clean fuels and leverages over 50 years of process technology experience. Investors may watch for additional details on contract scope, margins, and follow-on opportunities as KBR builds its low-carbon solutions portfolio.

Key Terms

biomethanol, landfill-gas, biogas, syngas, +4 more

8 terms

biomethanol technical

"for a pioneering biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia for transforming landfill-gas"

Biomethanol is methanol made from renewable biological sources or captured carbon instead of oil or natural gas; think of it as a type of alcohol for engines and chemical factories produced from plants, waste or recycled CO2. Investors watch it because it can substitute for fossil-based methanol in fuels and industrial processes, potentially benefiting from emissions rules and subsidies and offering growth opportunities, though success depends on technology costs, feedstock supply and policy support.

landfill-gas technical

"pioneering biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia for transforming landfill-gas into clean fuels"

Landfill gas is the mix of gases—mostly methane and carbon dioxide—that forms when organic trash breaks down in a landfill, like the fizz that builds up in a sealed soda bottle. It matters to investors because captured gas can be sold or used to generate electricity, creating a steady revenue stream, while uncontrolled gas can create safety, cleanup and regulatory costs that affect a site’s value and a company’s liabilities.

biogas technical

"feedstocks, including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO₂"

Biogas is a renewable fuel made when organic material — such as food scraps, animal manure, or plant waste — breaks down without oxygen, producing a mix of methane and carbon dioxide that can be burned for heat or power. For investors, biogas projects turn waste into a saleable energy product and often qualify for subsidies or environmental credits, so they can provide steady revenue streams but require capital, feedstock supply and regulatory support to be profitable.

syngas technical

"including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO₂"

Syngas is a manufactured fuel gas made mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, produced by heating carbon-based materials (like coal, natural gas, biomass or waste) in a controlled, low-oxygen process—think of it as breaking raw ingredients into a simple cooking gas. Investors care because syngas can be turned into electricity, fuels or chemical feedstocks and its cost, efficiency and emissions profile directly affect project profits, regulatory compliance and long-term market demand.

catalyst technical

"provide technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, catalyst, and proprietary equipment"

A catalyst is an event or piece of news that can quickly change a stock’s price or investor sentiment by revealing new information or altering expectations, such as earnings releases, drug approvals, regulation changes, or major contracts. It matters because catalysts act like a spark or gust of wind for a stock—creating sudden momentum or reversing a trend—which can create trading opportunities or risks for investors who are positioned before or after the event.

renewable methanol technical

"designed for commercial-scale deployment with a low cost of renewable methanol production"

Renewable methanol is a simple alcohol made from non‑fossil sources such as biomass, captured carbon dioxide combined with hydrogen made from renewable electricity, or organic waste, instead of from oil or natural gas. Think of it as making a familiar fuel and chemical ingredient from recycled or green inputs rather than crude oil; it matters to investors because demand can grow with rules and markets that favor low‑carbon fuels, creating new revenue streams and risks tied to production costs and policy shifts.

feedstocks technical

"The technology can utilize a wide range of feedstocks, including biogas"

Feedstocks are the basic raw materials—such as crude oil, natural gas, agricultural crops, or recycled waste—fed into an industrial process to make products like fuels, chemicals, plastics or fertilizers. For investors, feedstock type, cost and availability act like the price of flour for a bakery: they drive production costs, profit margins, supply reliability and environmental footprint, so changes can materially affect a company’s competitiveness and value.

CO₂ technical

"including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO₂"

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) is a colorless gas produced by burning fuels, industrial processes and biological respiration; it acts like a blanket that traps heat in the atmosphere. Investors care because levels of CO₂ drive climate-related rules, taxes and consumer expectations that can raise costs, change demand and alter the value of assets—similar to how a rising thermostat can force someone to change their heating and insulation choices.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

HOUSTON, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today that it has been awarded a contract for its PureM^SM green methanol technology by Fikrat Al-Tadweer for a pioneering biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia for transforming landfill-gas into clean fuels.

KBR’s PureM solution is designed for commercial-scale deployment with a low cost of renewable methanol production. The technology can utilize a wide range of feedstocks, including biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO₂, enabling flexibility and efficiency. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, catalyst, and proprietary equipment for the biomethanol facility.

“We are proud to support Fikrat Al-Tadweer in its groundbreaking biomethanol project, which aligns with Saudi Arabia’s national policy on eliminating landfill gas emissions and creating sustainable fuels,” said Jay Ibrahim, President, KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions. “This collaboration underscores KBR’s commitment to enabling global energy security and supporting the Kingdom’s vision for a cleaner, greener future.”

KBR has been a leader in innovative, sustainable process technology development, commercialization, and plant design solutions for over 50 years.

About KBR
We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding KBR’s PureM technology capabilities and related services, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information, please contact:

Investors
Jamie DuBray
Vice President, Investor Relations
713-753-5082
Investors@kbr.com

Media
Philip Ivy
Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing
713-753-3800
MediaRelations@kbr.com

FAQ

What did KBR announce on December 16, 2025 regarding a biomethanol plant in Saudi Arabia?

KBR said it was awarded a contract by Fikrat Al-Tadweer to supply its PureMSM green methanol technology for the country’s first biomethanol plant.

What will KBR provide under the Fikrat Al-Tadweer biomethanol contract (KBR)?

KBR will provide technology licensing, proprietary engineering design, catalyst, and proprietary equipment for the biomethanol facility.

What feedstocks can KBR’s PureMSM technology use for renewable methanol production (KBR)?

PureMSM is described as able to use biogas, gasification-derived syngas, hydrogen, and pure CO2.

What is the feedstock source for the Saudi biomethanol plant announced by KBR?

The project will transform landfill-gas into renewable methanol for clean fuels.

How does KBR describe the purpose of the Saudi biomethanol project (KBR)?

KBR said the project supports Saudi policy to eliminate landfill gas emissions and produce sustainable fuels.

Is the KBR PureMSM biomethanol project described as commercial-scale (KBR)?

Yes; KBR described its PureMSM solution as designed for commercial-scale deployment with low-cost renewable methanol production.