Session Details
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Mike Nash, Vice President, Syngas, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Session 1: Geopolitics and Economic Outlook
This session will examine the broader economic and geopolitical landscape shaping the methanol industry, including the impact of regional energy prices on production costs, the effects of ongoing geopolitical tensions, such as U.S. import tariffs and countermeasures, and the current state and outlook of both regional and global economies.
Mariana Santos Moreira, Thought Leadership Director, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The tariffs continue threatening the disruption of global trade, driving up costs, and intensifying supply chain pressures across the chemical industry. This presentation will explore the economic fallout and the tectonic impact a global trade conflict will have on the chemical industry, while also unveiling potential opportunities ahead.
The tariffs continue threatening the disruption of global trade, driving up costs, and intensifying supply chain pressures across the chemical industry. This presentation will explore the economic fallout and the tectonic impact a global trade conflict will have on the chemical industry, while also unveiling potential opportunities ahead.
Mike Nash, Vice President, Syngas Chemicals, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS.
In the short-term, the methanol industry is dominated by grey methanol. The energy transition is reducing growth into conventional fuels applications, but what are the implications of the slowdown in this move to cleaner energy and Donald Trump’s mantra of “drill baby, drill”? What are the prospects for MTO in oversupplied olefins and polyolefins markets? Inter-regional trade is a key feature of the methanol world: what are the implications of the US import tariffs and the counter-tariffs? The sustainability agenda has prompted many low-carbon methanol projects, but production costs are high and very few projects have achieved FID. How will the industry ensure there is sufficient supply of sustainable methanol to satisfy demand into applications such as marine fuel?
In the short-term, the methanol industry is dominated by grey methanol. The energy transition is reducing growth into conventional fuels applications, but what are the implications of the slowdown in this move to cleaner energy and Donald Trump’s mantra of “drill baby, drill”? What are the prospects for MTO in oversupplied olefins and polyolefins markets? Inter-regional trade is a key feature of the methanol world: what are the implications of the US import tariffs and the counter-tariffs? The sustainability agenda has prompted many low-carbon methanol projects, but production costs are high and very few projects have achieved FID. How will the industry ensure there is sufficient supply of sustainable methanol to satisfy demand into applications such as marine fuel?
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Make new connections or join familiar faces during this dedicated break. Sessions to resume at 1035.
Session 2: Regional Methanol Focus
Led by Chemical Market Analytics’ regional methanol experts, this session will provide an in-depth analysis of supply-demand balances across key regions, the evolution of global trade patterns, and the outlook for both grey and low-carbon methanol capacity, where it’s expected to be built and why. Short- and long-term forecasts will be presented, addressing critical questions about future suppliers, buyers, and the dynamics of regional trading.
Xiaomeng Ma, Director, Methanol, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The methanol industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by sustainability concerns, technological advancements, and the global transition to cleaner energy. Despite these changes, conventional methanol remains the dominant force in the market. Many commodity chemical producers are struggling to achieve growth given low profitability and weak demand. Is the global methanol industry facing the same challenge? Could sustainable methanol be the catalyst for industry-wide rationalization and restructuring? This presentation will examine short- to medium-term industry fundamentals, methanol trade dynamics, emerging demand opportunities, and the growing influence of sustainability in shaping the future of the methanol market.
The methanol industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by sustainability concerns, technological advancements, and the global transition to cleaner energy. Despite these changes, conventional methanol remains the dominant force in the market. Many commodity chemical producers are struggling to achieve growth given low profitability and weak demand. Is the global methanol industry facing the same challenge? Could sustainable methanol be the catalyst for industry-wide rationalization and restructuring? This presentation will examine short- to medium-term industry fundamentals, methanol trade dynamics, emerging demand opportunities, and the growing influence of sustainability in shaping the future of the methanol market.
Andrei Akzhigitov, Director Methanol, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The European chemical industry is facing unprecedented pressure from a convergence of complex and often unpredictable challenges. These include ongoing logistics constraints, escalating trade tensions, limited regional production capacity, soaring utility and infrastructure costs, and the rising financial burden of sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives. In this presentation, we will examine the key challenges shaping the future of the European methanol industry, explore possible development scenarios, and assess the evolving balance between grey and green methanol across the continent.
The European chemical industry is facing unprecedented pressure from a convergence of complex and often unpredictable challenges. These include ongoing logistics constraints, escalating trade tensions, limited regional production capacity, soaring utility and infrastructure costs, and the rising financial burden of sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives. In this presentation, we will examine the key challenges shaping the future of the European methanol industry, explore possible development scenarios, and assess the evolving balance between grey and green methanol across the continent.
Maia Dolan, Associate Director, Methanol, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The Americas region has established itself as a leading global methanol supplier, particularly following North America’s shift to a net export position in 2021. As the regions strengthen this position, progress has been constrained by feedstock limitations and production challenges at domestic sites. With rising demand, critical questions emerge about the short- and long-term impact of supply on the regional landscape. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of recent supply challenges and opportunities, the emergence of new suppliers, shifts in trade flows, and expectations for grey and low-carbon methanol developments. Additionally, insights into North and South America’s supply-demand balances and trade flows will be explored, offering a perspective on the region’s evolving market dynamics.
The Americas region has established itself as a leading global methanol supplier, particularly following North America’s shift to a net export position in 2021. As the regions strengthen this position, progress has been constrained by feedstock limitations and production challenges at domestic sites. With rising demand, critical questions emerge about the short- and long-term impact of supply on the regional landscape. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of recent supply challenges and opportunities, the emergence of new suppliers, shifts in trade flows, and expectations for grey and low-carbon methanol developments. Additionally, insights into North and South America’s supply-demand balances and trade flows will be explored, offering a perspective on the region’s evolving market dynamics.
Andrei Akzhigitov, Director Methanol, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The Middle East remains a key hub for grey methanol production, with established export flows to Europe, India, and China. However, the landscape is rapidly shifting as trade wars, logistical constraints, increased sustainability demands, and evolving sanctions are forcing producers to reassess long-standing trade relationships and strategic priorities. This presentation will explore the emerging challenges and opportunities facing the Middle Eastern methanol industry, examine potential future scenarios, and consider how producers might adapt. Special attention will be given to the evolving role of India as both a partner and a potential pivot point in regional trade dynamics.
The Middle East remains a key hub for grey methanol production, with established export flows to Europe, India, and China. However, the landscape is rapidly shifting as trade wars, logistical constraints, increased sustainability demands, and evolving sanctions are forcing producers to reassess long-standing trade relationships and strategic priorities. This presentation will explore the emerging challenges and opportunities facing the Middle Eastern methanol industry, examine potential future scenarios, and consider how producers might adapt. Special attention will be given to the evolving role of India as both a partner and a potential pivot point in regional trade dynamics.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Network and interact with fellow attendees – sessions resume at 1350.
Session 3: Focus: Chemical End-Use Marketplaces
In this session, internal and external speakers will highlight the characteristics and growth prospects of some of the major chemical end-use markets for methanol. From commodities to specialties, we will explore how these diverse applications are expected to drive methanol.
Gabriel Sousa, Executive Director, Altri Group
Caima, S.A., a Portuguese company from Altri Group, is implementing an innovative project for the production of acetic acid and furfural from industrial side-stream condensates derived from the sulphite dissolving pulp production process. This project aims to install a new industrial unit integrated in the Caima mill that will enable solvent extraction, solvent recovery, and purification of acetic acid and furfural, promoting circular economy and environmental and economic sustainability in the sector. The dissolving pulp production process involves the reaction of acetyl groups and xylans present in Eucalyptus globulus wood, resulting in the formation of wood chemicals such as acetic acid and furfural. The new industrial unit will use advanced techniques to recover and purify these compounds, achieving a purity of over 99% for furfural and 99.9% for acetic acid. This project allows Caima to increase value with same wood input, to diversify its products and to reach new markets. It will also strengthen Europe’s sustainable production and security of supply for these chemicals. In addition to economic advantages, the extraction and purification of acetic acid and furfural will contribute to further improve the organic effluent treatment system of the mill, promoting environmental performance of the site. On top of this, the new production unit will benefit from 100% renewable energy produced at the pulp mill site. The key features and final updates of this industrial project will be further expanded within this conference presentation.
Caima, S.A., a Portuguese company from Altri Group, is implementing an innovative project for the production of acetic acid and furfural from industrial side-stream condensates derived from the sulphite dissolving pulp production process. This project aims to install a new industrial unit integrated in the Caima mill that will enable solvent extraction, solvent recovery, and purification of acetic acid and furfural, promoting circular economy and environmental and economic sustainability in the sector. The dissolving pulp production process involves the reaction of acetyl groups and xylans present in Eucalyptus globulus wood, resulting in the formation of wood chemicals such as acetic acid and furfural. The new industrial unit will use advanced techniques to recover and purify these compounds, achieving a purity of over 99% for furfural and 99.9% for acetic acid. This project allows Caima to increase value with same wood input, to diversify its products and to reach new markets. It will also strengthen Europe’s sustainable production and security of supply for these chemicals. In addition to economic advantages, the extraction and purification of acetic acid and furfural will contribute to further improve the organic effluent treatment system of the mill, promoting environmental performance of the site. On top of this, the new production unit will benefit from 100% renewable energy produced at the pulp mill site. The key features and final updates of this industrial project will be further expanded within this conference presentation.
Carlo Barrasa, Vice President Energy Insights, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
As global demand for light olefins continues to grow, the Methanol-to-Olefin (MTO) process has emerged as a vital alternative to traditional NGL- and naphtha- based steam cracking. It plays an increasingly strategic role in feedstock diversification, particularly in coal and gas rich regions like China and the Middle East where energy security concerns are reshaping priorities. While the process allows for greater feedstock flexibility in petrochemical production, it comes with environmental trade-offs. The rise of green methanol, however, opens the door for MTO to serve as a potential bridge toward decarbonization.
As global demand for light olefins continues to grow, the Methanol-to-Olefin (MTO) process has emerged as a vital alternative to traditional NGL- and naphtha- based steam cracking. It plays an increasingly strategic role in feedstock diversification, particularly in coal and gas rich regions like China and the Middle East where energy security concerns are reshaping priorities. While the process allows for greater feedstock flexibility in petrochemical production, it comes with environmental trade-offs. The rise of green methanol, however, opens the door for MTO to serve as a potential bridge toward decarbonization.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Make new connections or join familiar faces during this dedicated break. Sessions to resume at 1535.
Session 4: Conventional Fuel Uses
This session will begin by outlining the regulatory framework of the regional and global fuels industry. It will then explore key conventional fuel applications—such as MTBE, DME, and biodiesel—highlighting both short- and long-term growth forecasts and their implications for methanol demand.
Kirstin Kettler, Global Director, Marketing, Valenz AG
Methanol is used today to make all manner of day-to-day products – from building materials and textiles to paints and solvents and components for cars. At Proman/Valenz, we have also found new value markets for it as a cleaner burning fuel. Whether that is for transportation or power generation, its lower emissions and ease of storage, distribution, and use, as well as its pathway possibilities, make it one of the most attractive alternatives to conventional fossil fuels today.
Methanol is used today to make all manner of day-to-day products – from building materials and textiles to paints and solvents and components for cars. At Proman/Valenz, we have also found new value markets for it as a cleaner burning fuel. Whether that is for transportation or power generation, its lower emissions and ease of storage, distribution, and use, as well as its pathway possibilities, make it one of the most attractive alternatives to conventional fossil fuels today.
Remko Koster, Director, C4s and Elastomers for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Despite disruptive events, such as the pandemic, and the start of the electrification of the vehicle fleet, global demand for MTBE in the gasoline markets has continued to grow in recent years. So far, the massive rise of MTBE exports out of mainland China has been absorbed by demand growth in emerging economies. Both short term market trends and long term view on gasoline and MTBE demand outlook will be presented.
Despite disruptive events, such as the pandemic, and the start of the electrification of the vehicle fleet, global demand for MTBE in the gasoline markets has continued to grow in recent years. So far, the massive rise of MTBE exports out of mainland China has been absorbed by demand growth in emerging economies. Both short term market trends and long term view on gasoline and MTBE demand outlook will be presented.
Ask your questions to the panel of session presenters to delve deeper into the subject matter.
Mike Nash, Vice President, Syngas, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Network with your fellow attendees, speakers and sponsors – a perfect end to the 1st day.
Session Speakers
Andrei Akzhigitov
Director, EMEA Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioCarlo Barrasa
Vice President, Energy Insights Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioMaia Dolan
Director, Americas Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioKirstin Kettler
Global Marketing Director Valenz AG
Read BioRemko Koster
Executive Director, EMEA C4 Olefins Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioXiaomeng Ma
Director, Asia Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioMike Nash
Vice President, Global Syngas Team Lead | Americas Acetyls Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioMariana Santos Moreira
Thought Leadership Director Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Read BioGabriel Sousa
Executive Director for Innovation and Technology Development Altri Group
Read Bio
