Electricity-Based Methanol: Status and Prospects of Methanol as a Power-To-Liquid Product

Methanol is one of the most widely used basic chemicals, with increasing demand driven by olefin production, especially in Asia. Traditionally produced from fossil fuels, particularly natural gas and coal, methanol production contributes significantly to global CO₂ emissions. Transitioning to renewable feedstocks, such as electricity-based methanol (e-methanol) via power-to-methanol (PtM) pathways, is critical for achieving carbon neutrality. This chapter explores current market developments, technical state-of-the-art, as well as technological and economic implications of a transition toward power-based methanol production. Despite mainly economic challenges, PtM offers a pathway to defossilize the chemical industry and transport sector, potentially increasing methanol demand in the future.