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Several new features of the global methanol market Time: April 14, 2009, 14:33 Author: jmmhg A notable feature of the current global methanol market is the increasing consolidation in its production and consumption sectors. The stagnant growth in methanol consumption in the fuel market, coupled with increased production capacity, has exerted significant downward pressure on methanol prices. Acetic acid production remains a significant area for methanol consumption. With further development of direct methanol fuel cells expected (as shown by the new methanol-powered device demonstrated by Toshiba at CeBIT in 2007), this year there may be debate surrounding methanol as a fuel. According to Avicenne Development, the global market for replacement cartridges used in fuel cell rechargeable batteries is expected to grow to $1 billion per year by 2010. However, due to aircraft transportation regulations, the potential of methanol for use in micro fuel cells for mobile devices will be limited in the coming years. Perhaps the introduction of new technologies for producing gasoline and polymers from methanol has stimulated an increase in methanol production. Overall, in the coming years, global methanol production is expected to grow at an average rate of 2% per year, with growth possibly slowing down thereafter. Developed countries are the main regions for methanol consumption. In Russia, methanol is mainly used in the production of formaldehyde and synthetic rubber, accounting for 60%-70% of its usage. Methanol is a colorless, toxic, and flammable liquid used as an antifreeze, a general solvent, and a denaturant for ethanol. Large amounts of methanol are used to produce formaldehyde, which is then used to manufacture plastics, urotropin, and urea-formaldehyde resins. Methanol is also used to produce methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). In the future, methanol is likely to serve as an alternative fuel to provide hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles.