What is methanol?

Methanol occurs naturally in the atmosphere as a by-product of biomass and landfill decomposition, and in our bodies as a by-product of metabolizing certain foods.

As an industrial product, methanol (CH₃OH) is a liquid petrochemical that can be made from renewable and non-renewable fossil fuels containing carbon and hydrogen. Methanex makes its methanol from synthesis gas which is produced from natural gas. Methanol is also commonly called wood alcohol or methyl alcohol.

Methanol is a chemical building block used to produce formaldehyde, acetic acid and a variety of other chemical intermediates. Methanol is also used to make MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), an oxygenate used in cleaner-burning gasoline.

Methanol is a clear liquid that is water soluble, readily biodegradable and can be safely transported by road, rail, barge, pipeline or ocean tanker. However, like most chemicals, methanol must be handled and used with care because it is flammable and toxic if swallowed.

How is methanol made?

When natural gas is mixed with steam and heated to 900°C (about 1650°F) over a catalyst, it is transformed to "synthesis" gas. This gas is pressurized, converted to methanol, and distilled to yield pure methanol, a hydrocarbon rich in hydrogen. To learn more, visit our Making Methanol interactive demo.