Methanex starts production at Louisiana methanol plant

VANCOUVER—Methanex Corp. has produced its first methanol from a new one million-tonne plant in Geismar, La. The plant was relocated from a Methanex production site in Punta Arenas, Chile.

“We expect the plant to ramp up to full production rates over the coming weeks. This accomplishment marks another key milestone in our 2013 commitment to grow our operating capacity by approximately three million tonnes over three years, and it will support our continued growth and strategic focus on global methanol leadership,” said John Floren, president and CEO of Methanex.

The Geismar 1 plant was completed over two and a half years. Total completion costs for this and a planned second plant at the same location will reach approximately $1.4 billion.

Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company and is the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol to major international markets.