Comprised of four hydrogen atoms and an atom each of carbon and oxygen,methanol is a ubiquitous chemical compound used as a'building block'for thousands of products including plastics,wood products and paint.Made predominantly from natural gas,it accounts for around 26 Bcm/y of gas demand,a figure that can be expected to grow as major producers in China shift away from using coal as a feedstock.But petrochemical producers such as Switzerland-based Proman are eyeing further growth in the transport market and especially in shipping,where burning methanol in place of marine fuel oils can help reduce emissions-including harmful NOx and SOx.In pursuit of this goal,the company has signed agreements with shipping firm Stena to retrofit and supply methanol-fuelled ferries,and with the Port of Nigg in Scotland to produce'green'methanol from excess offshore wind production.Gas Matters speaks to Proman's CEO,David Cassidy,about the case for methanol as an engine fuel,the regulatory conditions necessary for success and where LNG fits into the marine fuel mix.
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