Methanex
Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, operating 10.4 million tonnes of annual capacity across 12 countries and serving chemical producers, maritime fuel customers, and energy companies with conventional and low-carbon methanol, supported by its own global shipping fleet.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Methanex does
Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and publicly traded on the TSX (MX) and NASDAQ (MEOH). Founded in 1968 (incorporated as Methanex in 1982), the company operates approximately 10.4 million tonnes of annual methanol capacity across production sites in Canada, the United States (Geismar, Louisiana; Beaumont, Texas), Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt (Damietta joint venture), and New Zealand, supported by an integrated global distribution network spanning 12 countries. Its wholly-owned subsidiary Waterfront Shipping operates approximately 30 marine vessels, 60% of which are equipped with methanol dual-fuel technology, enabling controlled end-to-end logistics to chemical, energy, and maritime customers across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Methanex produces methanol primarily from natural gas feedstocks using catalytic processes, and has expanded into low-carbon and biomethanol (ISCC-certified, derived from waste and residue feedstocks at US Gulf Coast facilities) to serve the maritime fuel transition and industrial decarbonization demand. The company also produces ammonia at the Beaumont Natgasoline facility, acquired as part of the June 2025 $2.05 billion acquisition of OCI Global's international methanol business, which added 20%+ to its global production capacity and approximately $30M in expected annual cost synergies. Flagship facilities such as the Egypt joint venture plant (described as the most energy-efficient methanol plant in the world) and Geismar 3 (industry-leading low-emissions intensity, 1.8 million tonnes, restarted in 2025) anchor the asset base.
The business model is primarily a commodity-based transaction revenue model: Methanex sells methanol under both long-term contracts and spot arrangements, with realized prices posted and adjusted to global supply-demand dynamics. Q1 2026 average realized price was $351/tonne, with Q2 2026 guided to $500-$525/tonne due to Middle East supply disruptions affecting approximately 20 million tonnes/annum of internationally traded methanol. Customer segments are chemical producers (formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE, plastics) as the primary use case, maritime/shipping operators adopting methanol fuel for IMO compliance, the broader energy sector, and regional distributors. The company also derives growing service revenue from global methanol bunkering operations (Port of Immingham UK, ARA region, South Korea) and runs a non-profit-adjacent Process Safety Management ecosystem program in Egypt. FY2025 revenue was $3.6B with approximately 1,700 employees; Q1 2026 Adjusted EBITDA was $220M against a $14M net loss.
Methanex firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Methanex
- Legal name
- Methanex Corporation
- Website
- https://methanex.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, operating 10.4 million tonnes of annual capacity across 12 countries and serving chemical producers, maritime fuel customers, and energy companies with conventional and low-carbon methanol, supported by its own global shipping fleet.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Methanex industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Chemicals
- NAICS
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- C1 & Synthesis Gas Derivatives (Methanol, Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid) (IMAEADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Green Methanol & E‑Alcohols (e‑methanol, ethanol, higher alcohols) (EUABAIAB), Alternative Low-Carbon Marine Fuels Bunkering (Methanol, Biofuels, Ammonia, Hydrogen) (TLAHAKAC), Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol) (EUABAJAC), Methanol Storage & Handling (Conventional & E-methanol) (EUAFAFAB)
Keywords
Where Methanex is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices20 records
Markets served
Methanex business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Methanol sales: Sale of methanol produced at company facilities globally to chemical producers, energy companies, and maritime fuel customers. Revenue driven by production volumes and market methanol prices.
- Low-carbon methanol sales: Sale of lower-carbon and biomethanol for maritime fuel and industrial applications, positioning for green energy transition demand
- Ammonia sales: Ammonia production capability acquired through OCI Global acquisition (Beaumont, Texas facility produces both methanol and ammonia)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Methanol commodity pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Methanex product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, with approximately 10.4 million tonnes of annual operating capacity across production facilities in Canada, the United States, Chile, Trinidad, Egypt, and New Zealand. The company also produces ammonia as a secondary chemical product and supplies low-carbon and ISCC-certified biomethanol for maritime and industrial applications. Methanex operates an integrated global logistics network through its wholly owned subsidiary Waterfront Shipping, which manages approximately 30 marine vessels (60% methanol dual-fuel capable) for worldwide methanol distribution.
Product overview
Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, operating as a single unified product portfolio centered on methanol production with supporting services. The core offering consists of methanol (the primary chemical product) and ammonia (a secondary product from certain facilities), complemented by a growing low-carbon methanol and biomethanol product line for sustainable fuel applications. The company operates its own global logistics network through Waterfront Shipping, providing integrated methanol transportation and bunkering services. The 2025 acquisition of OCI Global's methanol business expanded capacity with facilities in Texas and Europe, adding low-carbon methanol capabilities and international bunkering services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Waterfront Shipping: Subsidiary shipping company for methanol transportation with approximately 30 marine vessels, 60% with methanol dual-fuel technology
Products and services
- Methanol
- Ammonia
- Low-Carbon and Biomethanol
- Waterfront Shipping
- Methanol Bunkering Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Methanol can reduce SOx and PM emissions by more than 95% compared to conventional marine fuels
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Methanex
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Methanex technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Methanex partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and strategic.
- ØrstedflagshipPartnership for UK's first commercial biomethanol bunkering service at Port of Immingham. Ørsted is the first customer, using the service for North Sea offshore wind farm maintenance vessels. Biomethanol delivers up to 80% GHG reduction vs conventional fuels.
- ExolumflagshipPartnership for UK's first commercial biomethanol storage and supply service at Port of Immingham. Exolum provides storage and fueling infrastructure while Methanex supplies biomethanol. Marks pioneering commercial clean fuel infrastructure for UK maritime sector.
- TankMatch (South Korea)coreStrategic partnership for methanol bunkering services in South Korea, supporting maritime decarbonization in key Asian shipping hub.
- ARA Region PartnerscorePartnerships in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region for global methanol bunkering operations in major European trade corridor.
- American University in Cairo (AUC)strategicTripartite partnership with Ministry of Petroleum and AUC to develop Egypt's first professional Process Safety Management Diploma. Methanex Egypt providing technical content and funding for 150 Ministry candidates over 3 years. First cohort of 32 professionals launched September 2025.
- OCI GlobalcoreMethanex acquired OCI Global's international methanol business for $2.05 billion in June 2025, including two methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas (one also produces ammonia), low-carbon methanol business, and idled Netherlands facility. Transaction includes cash payment and Methanex share issuance, with OCI receiving ~9.9 million Methanex shares and increasing its stake to approximately 13%.
- Suez Methanol Derivatives Company (SMD)corePipeline construction agreement for methanol supply from Methanex Egypt plant to adjacent SMD project. Methanex constructing and maintaining 450-meter pipeline plus transfer pump; supplying up to 160 tonnes/day methanol (58,400 tonnes/year) for formaldehyde derivatives production.
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)coreStrategic shipping partnership finalized in 2021 for maritime logistics collaboration, including demonstration of first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation.
- International Labor Organization (ILO)strategicPartnership agreement to extend ILO's 'Decent Jobs for Egypt's Young People' program to Damietta. Methanex Egypt donated $1M (later extended to $2M in 2023 for 5-year agreement) to create employment opportunities, support entrepreneurship, and build capacity of local service providers. Has empowered over 2,412 young entrepreneurs including 1,749 women and created 725+ jobs.
- Carbon Recycling InternationalstrategicLandmark investment agreement signed in 2011 for advanced renewable fuel production, early positioning in green methanol technology.
- Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP)coreJoint venture partner in Egyptian Methanex Methanol Company (EMethanex): Methanex 50%, APICORP 17%, Egyptian government entities 33%. APICORP increased its stake from initial 10% through $110M transaction in 2013.
- Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM)coreJoint venture partner in Egyptian Methanex Methanol Company (EMethanex) and partner in Process Safety Management initiatives. ECHEM holds 12% stake in EMethanex JV and is sole marketer of locally produced methanol in Egypt.
- Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral ResourcesstrategicMoU partner for Process Safety Management development since 2018. Led to creation of Egyptian PSM Steering Committee, 24 PSM standards and guidelines, and implementation roadmap. New MoU signed February 2025 for Phase 3 implementation support.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Methanex competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OCI Global: OCI Global was the former owner of the international methanol business acquired by Methanex for $2.05B in 2025. It retains US methanol and nitrogen/ammonia operations, making it a direct competing methanol producer with overlapping customer bases in chemicals and fertilizers.
- Celanese Corporation: Major US-based producer of acetyls and engineered materials that consumes and historically produced methanol. Overlaps with Methanex in C1 chemistry value chains (acetic acid, methanol derivatives) and competes for similar chemical-producer customers.
- Proman: Privately held, one of the world's largest integrated methanol producers with global operations including Trinidad, the US, and Oman. Direct competitor in commodity methanol sales to chemical producers and increasingly in low-carbon/marine methanol.
- Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited: Trinidad-based methanol producer competing in the same Caribbean gas-to-methanol corridor where Methanex operates Atlas and Titan facilities. Operates at world-scale and serves the same global methanol customer base.
Broad incumbents
- SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries): Saudi petrochemical major producing methanol (joint venture Ar-Razi) among a broad portfolio of chemicals and polymers. Competitor in global methanol supply with Middle East cost-advantaged gas feedstocks and significant export volumes.
- LyondellBasell Industries: Large petrochemical producer with methanol and methanol-derivative (MTBE, olefins) exposure. Competes in petrochemicals space with Methanex and overlaps in feedstock supply chains.
- Eastman Chemical Company: US specialty chemicals producer consuming methanol as feedstock for various derivatives and intermediates. Comparable customer base of industrial chemical buyers and overlaps in methanol-derivative value chains.
- Westlake Corporation: Vertically integrated petrochemical and building products company with US Gulf Coast methanol and downstream chemical exposure. Competes in commodity chemical markets overlapping with Methanex's customer base.
Regional players
- Zagros Petrochemical Company: Major Iranian methanol producer supplying approximately 9-10 million tonnes annually to the internationally traded market. Direct competitor in global commodity methanol; central to current Middle East supply disruption dynamics.
Others
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL): Major Japanese shipping company that is both a strategic Methanex partner (methanol dual-fuel vessel demonstration in 2021) and a peer in adopting methanol as a marine fuel. Reflects ecosystem-level partnership/comparison in marine methanol bunkering rollout.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Methanex social profiles
Digital presenceMethanex compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Methanex financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Methanex leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Methanex subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Methanex funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Methanex M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Methanex
What does Methanex do?
Methanex Corporation is the world's largest producer and supplier of methanol, with approximately 10.4 million tonnes of annual operating capacity across production facilities in Canada, the United States, Chile, Trinidad, Egypt, and New Zealand. The company also produces ammonia as a secondary chemical product and supplies low-carbon and ISCC-certified biomethanol for maritime and industrial applications. Methanex operates an integrated global logistics network through its wholly owned subsidiary Waterfront Shipping, which manages approximately 30 marine vessels (60% methanol dual-fuel capable) for worldwide methanol distribution.
Is Methanex a public or private company?
Methanex is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Methanex founded?
Methanex was founded in 1968. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Methanex based?
Methanex is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Methanex make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Methanol sales are the primary driver. The others are low-carbon methanol sales and ammonia sales.
Who are Methanex's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OCI Global, Celanese Corporation, Proman and Methanol Holdings (Trinidad) Limited. Broad incumbents are SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries), LyondellBasell Industries, Eastman Chemical Company and Westlake Corporation. Zagros Petrochemical Company is listed as a regional player. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is listed as an others.
Does Methanex have an API?
No public API is recorded for Methanex.
What industry is Methanex in?
Methanex's product category is Industrial Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEADAC, C1 & Synthesis Gas Derivatives (Methanol, Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid), with a secondary code of EUABAIAB, Green Methanol & E‑Alcohols (e‑methanol, ethanol, higher alcohols). Its NAICS code is 3251 and its SIC code is 2860.