Methanol is a clean burning drop in fuel which can replace both petrol & diesel in transportation & LPG, Wood, Kerosene in cooking fuel. It can also replace diesel in Railways, Marine Sector, Gensets, Power Generation and Methanol based reformers could be the ideal compliment to Hybrid and Electric Mobility. Methanol Economy is the 'Bridge' to the dream of a complete "Hydrogen based fuel systems".
Methanol is a liquid chemical with the formula CH3OH (often abbreviated MeOH). It is colorless, volatile, flammable, and poisonous. Methanol is made from the destructive distillation of wood and is chiefly synthesized from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Its principal uses are in organic synthesis, as a fuel, solvent, and antifreeze. Methanol is a polar liquid at room temperature. It is used as antifreeze, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol. The chemical is also used to produce biodiesel via transesterification reaction.
As demand growth out-paces production, imports will increase substantially during this period. GNFC, Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemical Corporation, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers and Assam Petrochemicals Limited are the key producers of Methanol; Iran Saudi Arabia and Brunei are the major importing sources of Methanol.
This growth is fueled by the use of methanol as fuel in the automotive industry, increasing olefins production from methanol-to-olefin (MTO)/ methanol-to-propylene (MTP) plants in China, and increasing petrochemicals demand, globally. The methanol economy is a lucrative future economy in which methanol and dimethyl ether replace fossil fuel as a means of energy storage, ground transportation fuel, and raw material for synthetic hydrocarbons.
During the last few years, the use of methanol and DME as fuel has increased significantly. Methanol demand is growing at a robust 6 to 8% annually. World has installed capacity of 120 MT of Methanol and will be about 200 MT by 2025. Currently Methanol accounts for almost 9% of transport fuel in China. They have converted millions of vehicles running on Methanol. China alone produces 65% of world Methanol and it uses its bio waste to produce Methanol. Israel, Italy have adopted the Methanol 15% blending program with Petrol and fast moving towards M85 & M100. Japan, Korea have extensive Methanol & DME usage and Australia has adopted GEM fuels (Gasoline, Ethanol & Methanol) and blends almost 56% Methanol.
Few Indian major players are as under
Ahmedabad Manufacturing & Calico Prtg. Co. Ltd.
Assam Petrochemicals Ltd.
Assurgen Pharma Pvt. Ltd.
Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corpn. Ltd.
I N A India Ltd.
