The unit will have a capacity of 7,200 t/d, making it the largest single train methanol plant in the world, Johnson Matthey said. The facility is bigger than Ningxia’s second plant of 6,600 t/d  that started up in May 2020, which followed  a 4,450 t/d methanol synthesis plant that was commissioned in 2014.

Under the terms of this latest agreement, Johnson Matthey will license technology and supply associated engineering, catalyst and equipment, provide technical review services as well as commissioning assistance.

The value of the contract was not disclosed.

First Russia license

The UK-based technology firm has also announced that its combined reforming methanol technology has been chosen by JSC Technoleasing for a 3,000 t/d plant in Skovorodino, Russia.

Johnson Matthey will supply a license for the plant, which will also include its new Advanced Series Loop technology that uses a synthesis loop arrangement together with existing reactor technology to significantly improve natural gas efficiency.

Pending a final investment decision by Technoleasing, Johnson Matthey said this will be its first licensed methanol plant in Russia using the combined reforming and Advanced Series Loop technology.