NEXTCHEM (MAIRE) awarded €210 million contract for ultra-low carbon methanol project in Mexico

This ultra-low carbon methanol production facility will be located in Sinaloa, Mexico, and will have a capacity of 2.1 million tpy, out of which around 15% will be eligible under the ISCC-EU¹ renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) criteria for green fuels. The agreement has been signed by NEXTCHEM’s subsidiary KT Tech with Samsung E&A Co., Ltd as the EPC contractor for the project.

The Pacifico Mexinol project, worth over US$3.3 billion, is being jointly developed by Transition Industries and the International Finance Corp. (IFC), part of the World Bank, and will be executed by a consortium composed of third parties.

Once operational in 2029, it is poised to be the largest single ultra-low carbon methanol facility in the world – producing approximately 350 000 tpy of RFNBO methanol and 1.8 million tpy of low carbon methanol from natural gas with carbon capture.

The contract, subject to final investment decision (FID), which is expected in 4Q25, includes basic engineering and critical proprietary equipment supply based on the proprietary NX AdWinMethanol^® Zero technology, as well as site assistance services, support for commissioning, start up, and operations.

The NX AdWinMethanol Zero technology developed by NEXTCHEM integrates its proprietary processes including its CO₂ capture technologies. This solution further minimises carbon emissions to nearly zero by converting captured CO₂ and green hydrogen into ultra-low-carbon methanol eligible as RFNBO. This technological approach increases the sustainability of the methanol production process, in line with Pacifico Mexinol’s commitment to addressing climate change.

Ultra-low carbon methanol supports the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate fuels and chemicals sectors. The methanol produced by Pacifico Mexinol will facilitate the decarbonisation of hundreds of downstream everyday products, such as fuels, plastics, paints, car parts, and construction materials.

Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NEXTCHEM, commented: “This landmark achievement, being the largest single award ever granted to NEXTCHEM, plays a pivotal role in our business trajectory and confirms the reliability of our sustainable technology solutions portfolio. We are honoured to support this strategic initiative which is set to change the Mexican domestic economy, as well as for the energy transition arena globally.”

References

1. European Union’s International Sustainability & Carbon Certification.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/01072025/nextchem-maire-awarded-210-million-contract-for-ultra-low-carbon-methanol-project-in-mexico/