2026 Agenda

The perfect start to the workshop and the foundation of the remainder of the day. Module one covers key topics such as the characteristics of methanol and use cases, the broad spectrum of feedstocks used in methanol production, current and emerging technologies, and how those technologies are evolving to meet the needs of a future “net zero” world.

An in-depth analysis of the varied applications for methanol. It is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of formaldehyde, acetic acid, methyl methacrylate, amines and chloromethanes. It is a feedstock for the manufacture of olefins and derivatives. It is also used in various fuels applications: the direct blending of methanol into gasoline; MTBE; DME and biodiesel. It is increasingly used as a low-carbon alternative fuel for ships, as a gateway to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in fuel cells, and as a source of power in isolated locations. This session will provide you with unparalleled market intelligence about the increasing role played by methanol and the broad spectrum of end use products it supports.

Truly a global commodity, methanol is produced, shipped and used in all four corners of the globe. Your instructors will help you to understand the global methanol industry as well as regional supply-demand dynamics. They will also explain the structure of the methanol industry: the major producers and consumers.

About a third of methanol production output is transported to a different region to be sold. The instructors will demonstrate and explain the major trade flows and how they are expected to evolve. The cost of freight and duty, on top of production costs, are vital components of the methanol cost curve. One of the key elements required to understand the methanol industry is how pricing works, from a global and regional perspective. The instructors will talk through the cost curve, different industry pricing mechanisms, how prices are discovered and the process used to draw up short and long term price forecasts.

The turmoil caused by the various geopolitical events in addition to growing supplies of hydrocarbon-based energy have forced nations to reassess how — and how long — the evolution from fossil fuels to renewables will play out. Further adding to this uncertainty is the stalling of EV adoption and a reduced collaboration on climate initiatives. Given these dynamics, there is growing confidence that traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels will still be a critical piece of the global energy mix. Join us as we discuss the current and forward pace of change within the energy markets.

In 2026, the chemical industry is confronting a “perfect storm” of geopolitical upheaval and protectionist policy. The total disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted global macroeconomics, disrupting supply chains from energy and feedstocks to chemicals, and forcing global price increases as Middle Eastern trade flows evaporate. These effects will be long-lasting, persisting for months or even years after the conflict ceases. Growing geopolitical tensions have also triggered a rise in “security-first” procurement, blurring the policy lines between defense and supply security. In this session, we dissect the EU’s European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), as well as updates to defense programs in North America and Asia, as well as rising trade barriers and sanctions, and what these mean for chemicals. We will also examine mainland China’s new industrial modernization strategy and its potential to upend the global supply-demand balance, from commodities to specialty chemicals. Join us to secure the insights you need to lead in this reshaped industrial landscape.

There are high volumes of intercontinental methanol shipments, with the recent Middle East conflict triggering new trade flows. Middle Eastern companies are looking to invest in the US; western companies are planning new capacity in the Middle East; Japanese companies own stakes in Southeast Asian, US and South American methanol plants. Methanol to olefins technology may be utilized outside mainland China. Shipping companies are looking to take equity stakes in low-carbon methanol units.

This presentation examines how these linkages make the global methanol industry fascinating, far more interconnected than it first appears. It will highlight the impact of the Middle East conflict, and map out the anticipated short- and longer-term evolution of the industry.

The global methanol market is already large, liquid and industrially relevant, with demand close to 100 million tonnes per year. Today, the market is still largely supplied by fossil-based methanol and used across chemicals, plastics, fuels and emerging energy applications. At the same time, a new renewable and low-carbon methanol market is emerging but due to project development barriers, few renewable methanol capacity may be available by 2030. This gap between announced capacity and bankable supply is the core financing challenge.
From the perspective of a Bank, financing methanol projects is about identifying projects that can become truly bankable. The session will mainly address the bankability of low-carbon, bio-methanol or e-methanol projects, where the key financing challenge is to transform a decarbonization opportunity into predictable cash flows. Banks will look for strong risk allocation, reliable counterparties, transparent certification of carbon intensity, and a capital structure capable of attracting both equity and long-term debt that can withstand price, execution and policy risks.
In a bankability assessment, a lender will focus on the robustness of the business model, the credibility of the sponsors, the maturity of the technology, the quality of long-term offtake agreements, the stability of feedstock and energy supply, robust EPC arrangements and the clarity of the regulatory framework.
Banco Santander has extensive global experience in project finance through Santander Corporate & Investment Banking. The bank combines sector expertise, local market presence and cross-border execution capabilities to support large-scale infrastructure, energy and renewable projects. Its role typically includes financial advisory, debt structuring, loan arranging, syndication and capital mobilization. In 2025, the bank reported leading global positions in project finance and structured finance, both as adviser and lender, reflecting its ability to structure complex transactions, mobilize capital and coordinate multiple stakeholders across jurisdictions.

Pacifico Mexinol (“Mexinol”) is a world-scale methanol project located near Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico, with a production capacity of approximately 6,130 metric tons of methanol per day. It is expected to become the largest single methanol production facility globally, producing
approximately 2.15 million tons of ultra low-carbon methanol (blue and green) annually from natural gas. The facility will produce RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of NonBiological Origin), RCF (Recycled Carbon Fuels) and other ultra low-carbon methanol using natural gas, green hydrogen and renewable electricity as feedstocks, as well as an innovative water solution by using treated water for steem, cooling and hydrogen production purposes, making Pacifico Mexinol the only project in the world to avoid competing for water with communities and other industries.
The project utilizes GacConTec’s proprietary NX AdWinMethanol® Zero technology, which employs an oxygen-driven autothermal reactor (ATR) to generate syngas. The AdWin TM platform represents an evolution of large-scale plants that traditionally rely on combined reforming technology of SMR and ATR. ATR technology is already well established, with numerous plants operating at pressures up to 40 bar. Within the AdWin TM technologies, the ATR is designed to operate at higher pressures – up to 60 or even 80 bar – requiring only limited optimizations to existing reactor configurations and operation modes in commercial use.
All equipment and components are proven and already in commercial operation, while the overall process configuration represents a new and advanced arrangement. Thanks to the efficient process configuration and integration of a carbon capture unit and green hydrogen production,
AdWinMethanol® Zero offers a large-scale solution that combines the production of ultra low-carbon and green MeOH (eligible as RFNBO & RCF). This concept paves the way to low cost and low risks production of ultra low-carbon MeOH, reducing direct carbon emissions to nearly zero.
Transition Industries is a project development company focused on delivering largescale, low carbon industrial and energy projects across the world advancing the transition to cleaner fuels and sustainable infrastructure.
GasConTec is part of NEXTCHEM, the licensing division of the Maire Group, which is committed to enabling the energy transition by offering a comprehensive portfolio of low-carbon, no-carbon, and circular technology solutions for the 21st century.

Maritime decarbonization has moved from ambition to enforceable cost. Under FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS, compliance expenses for a single mid-sized vessel are projected to rise from roughly EUR 1 million in 2026 to nearly EUR 7 million annually by 2035, with 2031 marking the regulatory tipping point. This presentation examines how bio- and e-methanol can convert that cost curve into competitive advantage. Drawing on demand scenarios pointing to 85 to 90 million tonnes of maritime methanol by 2050, it compares methanol and ethanol pathways on carbon intensity, energy density and engine maturity, and maps the supply response, including Brazil’s multi-feedstock expansion and integrated production projects in Europe such as Sines. It concludes with the emerging environmental attribute marketplace, showing how certified green fuels generate value beyond the molecule through Scope 1 to 3 certificate monetization. The strategic window for shipowners, cargo owners and producers is open now, but it is narrowing.

The alternative fuels industry needs regulatory drivers to emerge. This presentation provides insights into the recently announced German RFNBO mandates and how they have reshaped market conditions for e-fuel producers. The presentation is based on real-world experience from a company currently producing e-methane and draws parallels with the e-methanol market. An instant surge in demand creates a highly attractive market environment for first movers.

The competitiveness of the European petrochemical chemical industry is under pressure due to a growing overcapacity in China and the Middle East. In this presentation it will be shown how defossilisation of the chemical industry will create a future proof European industry. More specifically, the role of the Waste-to-Methanol-to-Olefins (WtMtO) pathway will be evaluated from a techn-economic-ecologic perspective. Last but not least, the role of regulations and demand creation for a successfull industrial transformation will be highlighted.

eFuels Rotterdam represents one of Europe’s most ambitious e-fuels production facilities, designed to convert green methanol into sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) at commercial scale. But before a single litre of e-SAF can be produced, the methanol has to be there:  on time, at the right carbon intensity, and at a price that makes the economics work. This presentation explores the commercial realities of sourcing green methanol globally: navigating a nascent supplier market across India, China and the Americas; structuring long-term offtake agreements under evolving regulatory frameworks and managing CI score requirements, certification risk and counterparty credit in a market where supply and demand are developing in parallel.

In this session, we examine the projected impacts of low-carbon hydrogen on the methanol sector. We present a cross-sectoral overview of our global hydrogen supply-demand balance, followed by a deep-dive into specific advanced green/blue projects and the factors driving their adoption. Finally, we present the economics and production costs of low-carbon methanol across global geographies.

The electrification of the global vehicle fleet is progressing, albeit at a more modest rate than predicted at the start of this decade. Global demand for MTBE has not declined yet, in fact, it increased in recent years, and it may take several more years before it decreases. Nevertheless, global MTBE markets have lengthened in recent years, primarily driven by the huge rise of MTBE exports out of mainland China. Even the conflict in the Middle East did not lower MTBE exports out of mainland China.  Longer term, the shift to battery electric vehicles will eventually result in declining gasoline -and thus MTBE- demand. Regional trends, both short- and long-term, will be highlighted for this key methanol derivative.

Methanol markets are often viewed through the lens of production and pricing, but their long-term resilience is rooted in downstream intermediates and infrastructure. This presentation explores the critical role of methanol to formalin into multiple value chains, highlighting how integrated logistics, pipeline connectivity, and embedded industrial demand create stability, scalability, and sustained growth across chemical markets.

This presentation introduces DMTO (Methanol-to-Olefins) technology developed by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). SYN Energy Technology Co., Ltd (SYN), a branch of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) established in 2004, is in charge of licensing and providing full-cycle support including PDP and technical services.

Originating from SAPO-34 catalyst research in the 1980s, the technology advanced from laboratory and pilot-scale testing to the world’s first industrial demonstration project in 2004–2006, followed by the first commercial plant startup in 2010.

The presentation will review the development history of DMTO technology, its commercialization progress, and current industrial applications in China. It will also discuss the role of DMTO in diversifying olefin feedstocks, operational performance, and future opportunities for global industry development.

As the maritime industry faces intensifying pressure to decarbonize, methanol has emerged as a frontrunner. Drawing on recent real-world deployments, commercial agreements, and infrastructure build-outs, we examine the critical bottlenecks encountered in scaling green and bio-methanol production, establishing international safety standards, and synchronizing supply with the rapid delivery of methanol-capable vessels.

The methanol industry is entering a new phase. While much attention remains focused on new production projects and supply announcements, the more important question is now demand: where will the premium markets for e-methanol emerge, and what price signals will be strong enough to support investment at scale?
Across Europe, a series of regulatory and commercial developments are creating entirely new value pools for e-methanol. Germany’s implementation of RED III, FuelEU Maritime, and the emergence of methanol-to-jet pathways are transforming methanol from a commodity chemical into a compliance-driven energy product.
Drawing on active commercial discussions with shipping companies, fuel suppliers, traders, logistics providers, investors and policymakers, this presentation will explore how these demand centres are developing, how does willingness to pay look for each demand pool and how global trade flows are likely to evolve as low-cost production regions connect with high-value European markets.
The session will also examine the commercial structures, pricing mechanisms and offtake arrangements required to unlock project financing and accelerate deployment of large-scale e-methanol projects for 2030 production.

The methanol industry does not have a demand problem—it has a feedstock problem. As shipping races toward decarbonization, e-methanol and conventional bio-methanol face increasing pressure from renewable power requirements, biomass limitations, and rising production costs. This presentation explores how municipal waste and RDF can unlock a scalable new source of low-carbon methanol, transforming an environmental liability into a strategic fuel while improving energy security and reducing dependence on constrained feedstock supply chains.

Asia’s methanol market is facing a major transition as global supply patterns tighten and energy transition policies accelerate. Reduced import availability, changing trade flows, and growing demand from new energy applications are reshaping regional market strategies.
This presentation examines how Asian markets are responding through supply diversification, downstream integration, and investment in low-carbon methanol. It will also explore the expanding role of methanol in shipping fuel, industrial decarbonization, and future energy systems across mainland China, Southeast Asia and the rest of Asian markets. The session will provide insights into market risks, strategic opportunities, and the long-term outlook for Asia’s methanol industry.

Since the conflict started at the end of February, the evolving path of the world’s largest methanol-exporting region has been disrupted. This presentation will examine how the regional conflict affected methanol production in the Middle East and reshaped future growth expectations. It will also explore how these disruptions spread across the regional methanol market, impacting trade flows, pricing dynamics and accelerating broader market transformation. Finally, the presentation will discuss possible scenarios for further market development and assess the likelihood of a return to pre-conflict market conditions.

This presentation examines the structural transformation of the methanol industry across the Americas, driven by the divergent natural gas landscapes of the North and South. We will analyze how the US shale boom has reshaped regional production, while simultaneously addressing the supply challenges posed by the natural gas crisis in the Caribbean and the untapped potential in South America. Finally, we will highlight the regional push for low-carbon projects as the industry pivots toward a more sustainable value chain.

For years, Europe remained a premium methanol market while steadily losing competitiveness against Asia. However, since the Middle East conflict began at the end of February, the market dynamic has changed dramatically. Supply disruptions, halted imports and the resilience of the quarterly pricing system unexpectedly strengthened Europe’s position.
Despite continued pressure from high utility and feedstock costs, Q2 created a rare opportunity for the European chemical industry. This presentation will examine how the Middle East conflict and global trade disruptions reshaped the European methanol market and assess whether this could become a breakthrough period for the industry or only a temporary shift before a return to pre-conflict conditions.