Methanol

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Methanol (CH₃OH) is the simplest alcohol—a clear, flammable liquid used widely as a building-block chemical and solvent. It is mainly produced from synthesis gas (H₂, CO, CO₂), though new processes can produce methanol directly from CO₂ or renewable hydrogen.

Downstream products made from methanol

The predominant use of methanol is for producing formaldehyde (for wood resins/plastics) and acetic acid (for PET/polyesters), plus fuel and petrochemical routes like MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether, a gasoline additive), DME (dimethyl ether, a fuel/propellant), and MTO/MTP (methanol-to-olefins/propylene, which make ethylene/propylene for plastics). Recent surveys put formaldehyde and MTO at roughly a quarter each of global demand, MTBE ~11%, acetic acid ~8%, with DME, methylamines, etc., making up smaller shares.

Production methods

Methanol production begins with production of syngas. The predominant method for syngas production globally is steam reforming of natural gas, but syngas via coal gasification is also used in certain regions. Less prominent methanol production methods include using syngas from biomass gasification, as well as the combination of electrolytic hydrogen and captured CO₂ (see figure below). Next, a methanol synthesis reactor compresses the syngas and sends it over a copper-based catalyst at a temperature of about 200–300 °C and a pressure of 50–100 bar, where it reacts to form methanol. The heat is managed (cooling jackets or intercooling), liquid methanol is condensed out, and the leftover gas is recycled back to the reactor to raise the overall yield.

Source: Methanol production routes, International Renewable Energy Agency, 2021.

Feedstocks

Different feedstocks can be used to produce methanol, but natural gas is currently the most cost-effective option for this purpose. Globally, the majority of methanol is produced from natural gas and coal (particularly in China). Recent surveys state that approximately 65% of methanol is produced using natural gas, 35% from coal, and less than 1% from biomass and renewables. E-methanol made from captured CO₂ and green hydrogen is a newer product that is just starting to enter the market.