Methanol (CH3OH) is a simple one-carbon alcohol that is a colourless and tasteless liquid with a faint odour. Other names are Methyl-alcohol and Wood-alcohol. It is most commonly produced from natural gas but can also be derived from renewable bio-feedstocks and from coal through gazification.

Methanol is a basic building bloc and a raw material for many derivatives in the chemical industry. It is used to produce formaldehyde, acetic acid and a variety of other chemical intermediates. These derivatives are ultimately used in the manufacture of countless products that we find in our everyday lives, including: resins, adhesives, paints, inks, foams, silicones, plastic bottles, polyester, solvents and windshield washer fluid. A significant amount of methanol is also used to make MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), an additive used in cleaner burning gasoline.  In the latter years DME (di methyl ether) has emerged as an alternative clean burning fuel.   Methanol is also widely considered to be a potential hydrogen carrier for many future fuel cell applications.

Worldwide consumption of methanol has passed 40  million tons annually which ranks it among the top 4 globally used chemicals.