PETRONAS is embarking on a development of a new world scale methanol plant adjacent to its existing methanol plant in Labuan. The new plant will utilise Lurgi’s Mega Methanol technology and is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2007.
The new plant will have a production capacity of 1.7 million tonnes per annum or 5,000 tonnes per day. Feedstock of about 150 million standard cubic feet per day of gas will be supplied from the gas fields offshore Sabah. The development of the plant will also provide job and business opportunities especially for Sabahans.
Methanol produced from the new plant will be supplied to the domestic market as well the growing markets in Southeast Asia, North East Asia and India.
Methanol is a chemical building block used to produce formaldehyde, acetic acid and a variety of other chemical intermediates. Methanol is also used to make methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenate used in cleaner burning gasoline. Other uses of methanol form the basis for many products including silicones, refrigerants, adhesives, specialty plastics and coatings, textiles and water treatment chemicals.
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Media Relations and Information Department
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