Tecnon (UK) Ltd. predicts world methanol supplies will meet demand through 2001 except for possible slight shortfalls in 1993 and 1994.
Results of a Tecnon study show that by 2001, methanol demand for methyl tertiary butyl ether and fuel uses will surpass demand for production of formaldehyde and other chemicals and solvents. Formaldehyde production is currently the largest consumer of methanol, followed by manufacture of chemicals and solvents.
Western Europe will continue to be the largest importer of methanol, followed by Japan and the U.S. The study predicts the region's methanol trade deficit will grow from 2.911 million metric tons/year in 1990 to 3.665 million in 2001.
During the same period, Japan's methanol trade deficit will grow from 1.654 million metric tons/year to 2.559 million, and the U.S.'s from 1.152 million metric tons/year to 2.328 million.
The Middle East/Africa region will continue to bolster its role as the largest methanol exporter. Exports from the region will increase from 2.053 million metric tons/year in 1990 to 4.430 million in 2001.
Canada's 1990 methanol exports of 1.489 million metric tons/year will grow to 1.836 million by 2001. And Central/South America, now a small methanol exporter at 700,000 metric tons in 1990, will become a major exporter by 2001. This region's methanol surplus will grow to 2.340 million metric tons/year during the period.
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