Methanol
Overview
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.
Latest methanol news
Refinity taps Zeton for plastics-to-olefins demo plant
Refinity taps Zeton for plastics-to-olefins demo plant
Houston, 27 July (Argus) — US plastics recycling technology firm Refinity has chosen Canadian engineering company Zeton to design and build a 10,000 metric tonnes/yr modular plastics-to-olefins demonstration plant. Refinity plans to situate the facility next to a third-party petrochemical steam cracker, allowing olefins made from mixed plastic waste to feed directly into downstream operations. The company's fluidized-bed technology converts mixed plastic waste into light olefins, such as ethylene and propylene, which can be integrated into petrochemical production after the steam-cracking process. The technology can achieve higher plastics-to-olefins yields than routes that first convert plastic waste into pyrolysis oil before steam cracking, according to Refinity. Zeton, based in Oakville, Ontario, specializes in designing and building pilot, demonstration and modular production plants. The company has completed more than 1,000 projects in 45 countries and serves chemical, energy and petrochemical clients. Neither Refinity nor Zeton disclosed the location of the demonstration plant, the project's cost, expected start-up date or the identity of the steam-cracker partner. By Dona Davis Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Indorama advances circularity at Philippine rPET plant
Indorama advances circularity at Philippine rPET plant
Singapore, 27 July (Argus) — Thai chemical producer Indorama Ventures is advancing circularity at its PETValue Philippines recycling plant through a Zero Waste to Landfill partnership with Philippine firm Republic Cement & Building Materials, according to an official press release on 24 July. The initiative will be implemented through IndoNova, Indorama Ventures' recycling arm, which converts post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into food-grade recycled PET (rPET) resin. Under the partnership, PET caps and labels that cannot be recycled into rPET will be recovered by Republic Cement's resource recovery unit, ecoloop, and used as alternative fuel in cement production instead of being sent to a landfill. The project combines PETValue's bottle-to-bottle recycling capability with Republic Cement's resource recovery expertise to boost material recovery and support circular-economy goals, Indorama Ventures said. It demonstrates cross-industry collaboration aimed at reducing landfill dependency in the Philippines. PETValue Philippines, a joint venture between Indorama Ventures and beverage bottling and distribution firm Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), operates the country's first bottle-to-bottle, food-grade PET recycling plant in Cavite. By Sihan Long Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
India imposes new s-PVC import duty
India imposes new s-PVC import duty
Singapore, 27 July (Argus) — India will impose duties on suspension polyvinyl chloride (s-PVC) imports with cost, insurance, and freight (cif) value of less than or equal to $0.766/kg, the ministry of commerce and industry said in a notification on 24 July. India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said imports with a value at or less than $0.766/kg ($766/t) will be classified as "restricted" for a period of six months from 24 July onwards. The notification also underlines that this restriction "will not be applicable for imports by 100pc Export Oriented Units (EOUs), units in the SEZ and imports under the Advance Authorisation Scheme, subject to the condition that the imported inputs are not sold into the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA)". Market participants surveyed underlined that the notification has not had a noticeable impact on prices for Indian s-PVC imports, with other factors such as high freight rates and recent offer announcements driving the market. The new policy is expected to provide a price floor for the next six months in the Indian markets, but demand may be weak due to the monsoon season which will run until September, a producer in India said. Sellers outside of India are currently reassessing their strategies, as it is still unclear whether the policy will still be in effect after the six-month period. "We are in the middle of waiting to see what happens, although the impact may not be too severe due to recent [tensions in the Middle East]," an exporter based in China said. India imported a total of 3.153mn t of PVC in 2025, according to data from Global Trade Tracker (GTT), while imports in January-May this year reached just above 1.415mn t. Of these imports, China remains the greatest contributor and made up over 47pc of total imports in 2025 and over 53pc of total imports so far in 2026. While India remains heavily reliant on imported PVC supplies, the import duty is viewed as a way to control long-term import supply into India ahead of upcoming production capacities in the country from 2027 onwards. By Julia Tan and Michael Vitiello Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU publishes vehicle recycled content rules
EU publishes vehicle recycled content rules
Brussels, 24 July (Argus) — The EU today published the regulation setting recycling requirements for vehicles and end-of-life vehicle management, which includes the obligation for at least 15pc of recycled plastic in new vehicles from 1 September 2032. This increases from 1 September 2036 to 25pc of plastic recycled by weight from post-consumer waste. The regulation excludes from the weight calculation elastomers from tyres and thermosets, apart from cushioning polyurethane foams. A further provision requires at least 20pc of the target to come from plastics recycled from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) or from parts removed from used vehicles. The European Parliament approved the rules in June. German centre-right EPP lawmaker Jens Gieseke, who helped draft the measure, said it opens the way for more recycled steel, aluminium and other critical raw materials to be used in new vehicles. By 30 September 2028, the European Commission is obliged to adopt a delegated act establishing a minimum share of steel recycled, and where relevant ferrous scrap, from post-consumer steel waste. The steel target should apply no later than 14 August 2033. Similarly, the commission has to set a minimum target share of recycled aluminium and alloys, also applicable by that date. More broadly, the regulation sets a 1 September 2032 target for EU type-approved vehicles to be constructed so they are "reusable or recyclable" to a minimum of 85pc by mass. The commission has to assess by 31 December 2033 the feasibility of targets to increase the use of biobased feedstock in vehicles' plastics. The law enters into force in 20 days, with provisions generally applying from 1 September 2028. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2026. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Spotlight content
Browse the latest thought leadership produced by our global team of experts.
Iran War: Impact on the Methanol Industry
Methanol prices fall as Hormuz shipping resumes and Iran’s supply loss eases. Argus’ Dave McCaskill assesses market recovery and demand trends.
Methanol Market Outlook, Iran‑US Agreement & Pricing
Episode 21
Methanol Trends, Middle East Conflict & Low-Carbon Outlook
Explore our methanol products
Key price assessments
Argus' methanol price assessments are recognised by the market as trusted and reliable indicators of the real market value. Explore some of our most widely used methanol price assessments.
