Methanol overview Transcript
Methanol is an important natural-gas-derived chemical feedstock, traditionally used in the production of materials such as acetic acid and formaldyhide. It is also becoming ncreasingly important in the fuels market where it is used to produce DME and MTBE and also as a direct gasoline blending agent.
Prices change on a daily basis, which mean up to the minute and timely pricing intelligence is extremely important for all market players.
The majority of material is traded by a quarterly contract, but the spot market is extremely important as well and that’s where the real daily price changes happen.
Methanol is a global product and the European market is influenced by the US but also and more importantly the Asian and Chinese markets. The Chinese market has emerged to become the global driver of prices and its demand is increasing at extremely high rates.