NPRA '08: Methanol’s role secure in biodiesel

31 March 2008 17:25  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ICIS news)--Methanol will continue to be the alcohol reagent of choice for biodiesel manufacturing because it is usually cheaper than other feedstocks, biodiesel and methanol producers said Monday.

The price advantage of methanol over alternatives such as ethanol may have shrunk with record high prices seen in the past six months, but methanol prices are trending down quickly, sources said on the sidelines of the 33rd National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) meeting.

A biodiesel producer said there was ready availability of methanol salts used as catalyst in the biodiesel process.

However, sulphuric acid and bulk supplies of para-toluene sulphonic acid (PTSA) were difficult to source, the producer said.

PTSA is used to reduce biodiesel plant maintenance because it is a less corrosive acidifying agent than sulphuric acid.

The meeting began on Sunday and runs through Tuesday.

For more on methanol visit ICIS chemical intelligence

By: David Barry
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly