Industry: Methanol & ammonia

In the January 2025 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we covered activities in the energy and chemical sectors, which include Toray starting CO3 membrane production in Japan, Vitol acquiring a stake in Waste Plastic Recycling, and BASF selling its Styrodur business. There were also feedstock deals involving green methanol supply to Hapag-Lloyd and Avantium.

The global transition towards sustainable energy has placed green fuels at the forefront of efforts to decarbonize aviation, maritime, and heavy industries. These green fuels — renewable diesel (RD), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol — promise a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels. However, mainstream adoption requires overcoming significant barriers, including scalability, infrastructure […]

Selecting the site for a new hydrogen project, chemicals plant, or renewable energy facility can be a long and rigorous process. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is driving investment into new energy transition projects, but location is often a critical factor in a project’s success. Whether it’s the company’s first, second, or hundredth facility, finding […]

In the 2024 October edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, the chemical industry is saw substantial developments, with significant investments in new plants for ammonia, polyethylene, and specialty chemicals, alongside a growing focus on sustainable practices like green ammonia production and advanced recycling. Legal challenges, such as California’s suit against ExxonMobil, highlighted increasing scrutiny of […]

Renewable electricity is becoming increasingly accessible for companies striving to meet their sustainability goals. They can either generate it themselves or procure it from third-party providers. There are seven options a chemical company can use to obtain renewable electricity, such as owned on-site generation, owned off-site generation, on-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) / operating leases, […]

In the September 2024 edition of the ADI chemicals newsletter, we covered on how the chemical and energy sectors are increasingly focused on sustainability. This was evidenced by strategic acquisitions like LyondellBasell’s purchase of APK for advanced recycling and new plant launches dedicated to green hydrogen and waste-to-ethanol production. Major companies, including Nouryon and Evonik, […]

As the world moves towards a more sustainable energy future, ethanol and methanol could play a key role in powering not just vehicles but also airplanes. With mandates in place in the U.S. and EU for the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and initiatives by organizations such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) […]

Ammonia plays a crucial role in fertilizer production, with 70% of the global demand for ammonia attributed to fertilizer production. Traditionally, ammonia is produced via a carbon-intensive process known as the Haber-Bosch process using hydrogen which is produced via an energy-intensive process, contributing to CO2 emissions via fossil fuel use. The Haber-Bosch process results in […]

Natural gas prices are hitting rock bottom, with Henry Hub averaging a mere $1.49 in March 2024, the lowest monthly average since 1997. Shale operators are responding by curtailing production. Chesapeake, a leading producer, started the trend with cuts announced in early March. Other companies like Coterra Energy, Comstock Resources, EQT, and CNX Resources have followed suit, reducing drilling activity or implementing production curtailments. ADI anticipates […]

While conventional chemical uses of methanol persist, its burgeoning application as a low-carbon marine fuel, driven by the global energy transition and the IMO’s decarbonization targets, is projected to be the primary catalyst for future methanol demand growth.

Ammonia is mainly used in fertilizer production which represents ~70% of global ammonia demand. A rising population is expected to support consistent ammonia-based fertilizer demand growth in the medium term. Traditionally, ammonia has been produced via steam methane reforming (SMR) or auto-thermal refining (ATR) of methane gas which can emit 1.9 to 2.6 tons of […]

At the 2024 ADI Forum, Jim Simon, CEO, Braven Environmental, presented the afternoon keynote address on chemicals day. This was followed by a fireside chat with Uday Turaga, CEO, ADI Analytics. Key topics included industry challenges like feedstock sourcing and regulatory hurdles, highlighting Braven’s technological solutions. It also covered investor interest, the use of pyrolysis […]