The global methanol industry has performed well in recent years and continues to grow at or above GDP-type performance. This has sparked much interest in restarting idled capacity, relocating existing facilities to more abundant natural gas supplies, and/or building new methanol capacity to meet fuel demand and more.
But what risks are involved, and how will you know what to look out for now and in the future?
With more than 100 combined years of global chemical experience, including more than 50 years directly in the methanol consulting space, Argus’ experts will help you determine what trends to track and how to stay competitive in today’s ever-changing global markets.
Methanol insights around the globe
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Argus Global Methanol Demand
Argus’ comprehensive global methanol demand flow chart is your go-to resource to see how the market trended in 2018. -
Methanol as Fuel
Did you know almost 50pc of China's methanol demand goes into fuel applications? See a breakdown of its uses. -
Methanol to Olefins
Just how important is methanol-to-olefins (MTO/MTP)? Argus tracks weekly operating rates.
Featured services
ARGUS Methanol
Access leading methanol contract and spot benchmarks, global industry news, and analysis of key economic drivers on a weekly basis.
ARGUS Methanol Daily
The Argus Methanol Daily service provides robust daily price assessments for key global methanol spot markets. It helps you see changes to price spreads by region and/or related products with a global view of prices and market commentary every day.
ARGUS Methanol Outlook
Get a 24-month rolling price forecast and forward-looking analysis of global methanol supply and demand, trade flows, and inventory levels each month.
ARGUS Methanol Analytics
Take advantage of comprehensive methanol data from 2005-2026, including capacities, trade, and supply/demand balances, plus long-term analysis, regular access to expert analysts, and capacities updates.
ARGUS Methanol Consulting Services
Improve your understanding of the methanol market and devise strategies for success with tailor-made research performed by Argus’ in-house methanol experts. Read more below.
ARGUS Methanol Consulting Services
Improve your understanding of the methanol market and devise strategies for success with tailor-made research performed by Argus’ in-house methanol experts.
Key benefits
- Obtain independent insights: The Argus Consulting Services team builds from the latest market data to provide unique insight.
- Get local and global perspectives: We provide “boots on the ground” knowledge gathered through our extensive local and global network of more than 75 dedicated consultants with experience across multiple industry sectors.
- Utilise our end-to-end viewpoints: Our consultants track feedstocks (such as gas, naphtha) and all key derivative products so that you have a completely integrated view of how your business fits into the marketplace.
- Data you can trust: Our forecasts are based on our comprehensive database of historical and current information and our daily engagement in the market. We do not purchase data, so our short- to long-term forecasts are more solid and dependable and are essential for quantifying investment risk for you.
- See scenario-based forecasts: We present you with scenario-based forecasts for supply, demand and market prices so that investors can evaluate returns based on different potential future market directions. You also get to choose scenarios that you believe are most likely to occur.
- Find the answers you are looking for: Argus consultants advise you on how to formulate your strategies whenever and wherever you need it.
Key customisable features
- Market studies
- Price analysis and forecasting
- Supply, infrastructure and logistics strategy
- Investment and transaction support
- Policy and regulation
- Training
Global markets covered
- Methanol
- Formaldehyde
- MTBE/TAME
- Acetic acid
- Gasoline blending
- Biodiesel
- DMT
- Methyl methacrylate
- Methylamines
- Solvent applications
- DME
- MTO/MTP
Customers that benefit
- Corporations
- Government agencies/regulatory bodies
- Professional services
- Investors/private equity
- Trading organisations/financial services
Our methanol experts
Dave McCaskill
VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives
Tony Devlin
Methanol
Roel Salazar
Methanol and Derivatives Consultant
Mahua Chakravarty
Petrochemical Market Editor (Ethylene, Propylene, Polymers, Methanol), Asia
Dave McCaskill
VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives
Dave McCaskill is VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives, based in Houston. He manages Argus’ global methanol services with an individual emphasis on methanol and downstream derivative activities in the Americas. He provides support to the Argus MTBE and Fuel Service, and co-ordinates Argus’ methanol conferences and events around the world each year. Dave has more than 40 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, beginning his long career with Celanese Chemical Company as a chemical engineer. While there, he progressed steadily through a series of roles, including engineering, capital planning, hydrocarbon purchasing and operat...
Dave McCaskill is VP, Global Methanol and Derivatives, based in Houston. He manages Argus’ global methanol services with an individual emphasis on methanol and downstream derivative activities in the Americas. He provides support to the Argus MTBE and Fuel Service, and co-ordinates Argus’ methanol conferences and events around the world each year. Dave has more than 40 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, beginning his long career with Celanese Chemical Company as a chemical engineer. While there, he progressed steadily through a series of roles, including engineering, capital planning, hydrocarbon purchasing and operations planning/support, ending up in business management for the ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol product area and then the methanol and formaldehyde product line. He first entered the world of consulting with CMAI in 2000 as Global Director, Methanol and Derivative Services. He moved on to become VP Methanol and Derivatives at DeWitt in 2010, which was subsequently acquired by Argus. Dave holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Kansas.
Tony Devlin
Methanol
Tony Devlin brings with him 20 years of experience for Imperial Chemical (ICI) UK working in a variety of roles covering logistics, purchasing and sales management. He has acquired a decade of experience working with Methanex Corporation as Sales Manager, and latterly as Procurement Manager for Europe, responsible for sourcing up to 500 kmt of methanol per annum from the market to supplement production and fulfill sales commitments.
Tony Devlin brings with him 20 years of experience for Imperial Chemical (ICI) UK working in a variety of roles covering logistics, purchasing and sales management. He has acquired a decade of experience working with Methanex Corporation as Sales Manager, and latterly as Procurement Manager for Europe, responsible for sourcing up to 500 kmt of methanol per annum from the market to supplement production and fulfill sales commitments.
Roel Salazar
Methanol and Derivatives Consultant
Roel Salazar is the Methanol and Derivatives Consultant, based in Houston. He is responsible for covering the US and Latin American MTBE markets and the weekly Argus Fuels and Octane report, and is instrumental in preparing the global Argus Fuels and Oxygenates Annual. He has built relationships with key US MTBE consumers, producers and traders, while helping them analyse the global MTBE and octane markets. Roel joined Argus in 2005 as an olefins analyst supporting the ethylene, propylene and butadiene services, moving to the fuels and octane team in 2011. His previous experience includes managing system development projects in a num...
Roel Salazar is the Methanol and Derivatives Consultant, based in Houston. He is responsible for covering the US and Latin American MTBE markets and the weekly Argus Fuels and Octane report, and is instrumental in preparing the global Argus Fuels and Oxygenates Annual. He has built relationships with key US MTBE consumers, producers and traders, while helping them analyse the global MTBE and octane markets. Roel joined Argus in 2005 as an olefins analyst supporting the ethylene, propylene and butadiene services, moving to the fuels and octane team in 2011. His previous experience includes managing system development projects in a number of industries, while his petrochemical experience includes working at one of Mobil’s ethylene crackers in Houston. Roel holds an undergraduate degree in information systems from the University of Houston.
Mahua Chakravarty
Petrochemical Market Editor (Ethylene, Propylene, Polymers, Methanol), Asia
Mahua Chakravarty is the Petrochemical Market Editor, Asia, based in Singapore. She covers the olefins, polymers, and methanol markets in Asia.
Mahua has more than 18 years of experience as a journalist and editor with various publications in Singapore and India. She worked for HRM Asia and ICIS before joining Argus in 2013.
Mahua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Presidency College and a Master’s degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) from the University of Calcutta.
Mahua Chakravarty is the Petrochemical Market Editor, Asia, based in Singapore. She covers the olefins, polymers, and methanol markets in Asia.
Mahua has more than 18 years of experience as a journalist and editor with various publications in Singapore and India. She worked for HRM Asia and ICIS before joining Argus in 2013.
Mahua holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from Presidency College and a Master’s degree in English Literature (British and Commonwealth) from the University of Calcutta.
Learn more about Argus Consulting Services
Argus Consulting Services builds on our key strengths – commodity markets expertise, international networks and trusted data – to help our clients better realise opportunities. Learn more about what our global team can do to offer you the highest-quality analysis for whatever your business needs.