Policy issues regarding coal-to-methanol
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Coal-to-methanol production at a capacity of less than 1 million tons per year is strictly prohibited under the \"Guidelines for Industrial Structure Adjustment.\" So, if methanol is to be produced as a by-product in a coal-to-ethylene glycol project with a capacity of 300,000 tons per year, how can this approach be designed to help avoid compliance issues with relevant policies?
It is strictly prohibited to build new methanol plants with a production capacity of less than 1 million tons; co-production or technical upgrades are permitted. This is a regulation set by the National Development and Reform Commission, which provides reasonable explanations and guidelines for this rule
According to Order No. 21 issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2013, regarding the amendment of certain provisions in the \"Guidance Catalogue for Industrial Structure Adjustment (2011 version)\\", coal-to-methanol projects with a capacity of less than 1 million tons fall under the category of projects subject to restrictions; the wording used does not imply a complete ban. At the same time, the original document states that comprehensive utilization is not considered within the scope of restrictions. Currently, out of the 10 companies that produce ethylene glycol, seven have the capability to produce methanol or synthetic ammonia, so it’s no longer a cause for concern for you. Go ahead and do it; is there anything that state-owned enterprises can’t accomplish here? However, whether ethylene glycol will improve your profitability is another matter.