Mitsubishi Launches Trinidad Methanol Plant
Japanese industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi has launched commercial operations at its methanol and dimethyl ether (DME) plant in Trinidad and Tobago, the company said on January 19.
The plant uses natural gas to produce up to 1mn metric tons of methanol and 20,000 mt of DME annually. It was brought on stream on December 18.
|
Advertisement: The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) NGC’s HSSE strategy is reflective and supportive of the organisational vision to become a leader in the global energy business. |
The facility is operated by Caribbean Gas Chemical, a joint venture between Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Mitsubishi Corp, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago and local industrial group Massy Holdings.
Methanol is used to produce various products including adhesives, agricultural chemicals, paints, plastics and synthetic textiles. It has also garnered more interest in recent years as a cleaner fuel option for the shipping industry.
"Currently, the global demand for methanol is approximately 81mn mt/yr, and that is expected to increase steadily in step with GDP growth," Mitsubishi said, noting its plant would boost economic growth in the Caribbean.