The global methanol industry has suffered in recent years. First COVID-19, then the Russia-Ukraine conflict, followed by global inflation, stagnation and downward revised GDP forecasts. It is hoped 2022/2023 will be the performance valley for the sector, looking toward an improved—but still slowed—outlook. The huge China methanol appetite has slowed. The MTO sector sees minimal growth ahead. The rest of the world will have to generate increased demand, but with much of this sector tied to GDP performance, the outlook here too is reserved. New capacity continues to define the landscape, with several new units expected in the coming months.
Pricing is spiking in Q4’23 due to a myriad of methanol production outages around the world. Production will return and prices weaken some. However, the outlook is for the olefins and olefin derivative sectors to finally end their respective down cycles. Olefin/derivative prices are expected to improve, driving higher MTO methanol affordability values. The rest of the methanol industry is expected to follow China’s MTO methanol price strength.
Argus’ experts will help you determine what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global markets.
Methanol insights around the globe
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Argus Global Methanol Demand
Argus’ comprehensive global methanol demand flow chart is your go-to resource to see how the market trended in 2018. -
Methanol as Fuel
Did you know almost 50pc of China's methanol demand goes into fuel applications? See a breakdown of its uses. -
Methanol to Olefins
Just how important is methanol-to-olefins (MTO/MTP)? Argus tracks weekly operating rates.
Featured services
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The Argus Methanol Daily service provides robust daily price assessments for key global methanol spot markets. It helps you see changes to price spreads by region and/or related products with a global view of prices and market commentary every day.
ARGUS Methanol Outlook
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ARGUS Methanol Analytics
Take advantage of comprehensive methanol data from 2005-2026, including capacities, trade, and supply/demand balances, plus long-term analysis, regular access to expert analysts, and capacities updates.
ARGUS Methanol Consulting Services
Improve your understanding of the methanol market and devise strategies for success with tailor-made research performed by Argus’ in-house methanol experts. Read more below.
ARGUS Methanol Consulting Services
Improve your understanding of the methanol market and devise strategies for success with tailor-made research performed by Argus’ in-house methanol experts.
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Global markets covered
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Our methanol experts
Dave McCaskill
VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives
Tony Devlin
Methanol
Roel Salazar
Methanol and Derivatives Consultant
Mahua Chakravarty
Petrochemical Market Editor (Ethylene, Propylene, Polymers, Methanol), Asia
Dave McCaskill
VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives
Dave McCaskill is VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives, based in Houston. He manages Argus’ global methanol services with an individual emphasis on methanol and downstream derivative activities in the Americas. He provides support to the Argus MTBE and Fuel Service, and co-ordinates Argus’ methanol conferences and events around the world each year. Dave has more than 40 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, beginning his long career with Celanese Chemical Company as a chemical engineer. While there, he progressed steadily through a series of roles, including engineering, capital planning, hydrocarbon purchasing and operat...
Dave McCaskill is VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives, based in Houston. He manages Argus’ global methanol services with an individual emphasis on methanol and downstream derivative activities in the Americas. He provides support to the Argus MTBE and Fuel Service, and co-ordinates Argus’ methanol conferences and events around the world each year. Dave has more than 40 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, beginning his long career with Celanese Chemical Company as a chemical engineer. While there, he progressed steadily through a series of roles, including engineering, capital planning, hydrocarbon purchasing and operations planning/support, ending up in business management for the ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol product area and then the methanol and formaldehyde product line. He first entered the world of consulting with CMAI in 2000 as Global Director, Methanol and Derivative Services. He moved on to become VP Methanol and Derivatives at DeWitt in 2010, which was subsequently acquired by Argus. Dave holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas.
Tony Devlin
Methanol
Tony Devlin brings with him 20 years of experience for Imperial Chemical (ICI) UK working in a variety of roles covering logistics, purchasing and sales management. He has acquired a decade of experience working with Methanex Corporation as Sales Manager, and latterly as Procurement Manager for Europe, responsible for sourcing up to 500 kmt of methanol per annum from the market to supplement production and fulfill sales commitments.
Tony Devlin brings with him 20 years of experience for Imperial Chemical (ICI) UK working in a variety of roles covering logistics, purchasing and sales management. He has acquired a decade of experience working with Methanex Corporation as Sales Manager, and latterly as Procurement Manager for Europe, responsible for sourcing up to 500 kmt of methanol per annum from the market to supplement production and fulfill sales commitments.
Roel Salazar
Methanol and Derivatives Consultant
Roel Salazar is the Methanol and Derivatives Consultant, based in Houston. He is responsible for covering the US and Latin American MTBE markets and the weekly Argus Fuels and Octane report, and is instrumental in preparing the global Argus Fuels and Oxygenates Annual. He has built relationships with key US MTBE consumers, producers and traders, while helping them analyse the global MTBE and octane markets. Roel joined Argus in 2005 as an olefins analyst supporting the ethylene, propylene and butadiene services, moving to the fuels and octane team in 2011. His previous experience includes managing system development projects in a num...
Roel Salazar is the Methanol and Derivatives Consultant, based in Houston. He is responsible for covering the US and Latin American MTBE markets and the weekly Argus Fuels and Octane report, and is instrumental in preparing the global Argus Fuels and Oxygenates Annual. He has built relationships with key US MTBE consumers, producers and traders, while helping them analyse the global MTBE and octane markets. Roel joined Argus in 2005 as an olefins analyst supporting the ethylene, propylene and butadiene services, moving to the fuels and octane team in 2011. His previous experience includes managing system development projects in a number of industries, while his petrochemical experience includes working at one of Mobil’s ethylene crackers in Houston. Roel holds an undergraduate degree in information systems from the University of Houston.
Mahua Chakravarty
Petrochemical Market Editor (Ethylene, Propylene, Polymers, Methanol), Asia
Mahua Chakravarty is the Petrochemical Market Editor, Asia, based in Singapore. She covers the olefins, polymers, and methanol markets in Asia.
Mahua has more than 18 years of experience as a journalist and editor with various publications in Singapore and India. She worked for HRM Asia and ICIS before joining Argus in 2013.
Mahua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Presidency College and a Master’s degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) from the University of Calcutta.
Mahua Chakravarty is the Petrochemical Market Editor, Asia, based in Singapore. She covers the olefins, polymers, and methanol markets in Asia.
Mahua has more than 18 years of experience as a journalist and editor with various publications in Singapore and India. She worked for HRM Asia and ICIS before joining Argus in 2013.
Mahua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Presidency College and a Master’s degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) from the University of Calcutta.
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