Methanex

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.

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

Product category

Industrial Chemicals

NAICS

Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAEADAC

C1 & Synthesis Gas Derivatives (Methanol, Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Chemicals & Industrial Materials/Petrochemicals & Derivatives

SECONDARYEUABAIAB

Green Methanol & E‑Alcohols (e‑methanol, ethanol, higher alcohols)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/CO₂ Utilization & Carbon-to-Value (E-fuels, Chemicals, Building Materials)

SECONDARYTLAHAKAC

Alternative Low-Carbon Marine Fuels Bunkering (Methanol, Biofuels, Ammonia, Hydrogen)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Bunkering & Marine Fuel Services (Including LNG Bunkering)

SECONDARYEUABAJAC

Hydrogen & Derivative Fuels for Industry (H₂, Ammonia, Methanol)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Carbon & Climate Solutions (Carbon Markets, Offsets, CCS/CCUS)/Industrial Decarbonization Solutions (Process Heat, Electrification, Fuel Switching)

SECONDARYEUAFAFAB

Methanol Storage & Handling (Conventional & E-methanol)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Storage & Grid Flexibility (Batteries, Hydrogen Storage, Demand Response)/Power-to-X & Synthetic Fuels Storage (Ammonia, Methanol, E-fuels)

Keywords

• Methanol production
• Industrial chemicals manufacturing
• Marine fuel supply
• Low-carbon methanol
• Global chemical logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices20 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Low-carbon methanol sales: Sale of lower-carbon and biomethanol for maritime fuel and industrial applications, positioning for green energy transition demand
3. Ammonia sales: Ammonia production capability acquired through OCI Global acquisition (Beaumont, Texas facility produces both methanol and ammonia)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and strategic.

• ØrstedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Partnership 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.
• ExolumflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2026Partnership 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 or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Strategic partnership for methanol bunkering services in South Korea, supporting maritime decarbonization in key Asian shipping hub.
• ARA Region PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2025Partnerships in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region for global methanol bunkering operations in major European trade corridor.
• American University in Cairo (AUC)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2025Tripartite 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 GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2024Methanex 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2023Pipeline 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 or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic shipping partnership finalized in 2021 for maritime logistics collaboration, including demonstration of first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation.
• International Labor Organization (ILO)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2019Partnership 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 InternationalstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Landmark investment agreement signed in 2011 for advanced renewable fuel production, early positioning in green methanol technology.
• Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint 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 ResourcesstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/methanex-corporation
• Xx.com/methanex

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Methanex