Methanol
Methanol is not only considered an important basic chemical but is also used in the production of a wide range of chemical and petrochemical products, which is why it is regarded as one of the three most significant products in the global chemical industry.
The production process begins with the generation of synthesis gas (syngas), a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The primary method for this is steam methane reforming (SMR), where methane from natural gas reacts with steam over a nickel-based catalyst. While this text focuses on natural gas, it is important to note that syngas can also be produced from various other feedstocks, including coal, naphtha, heavy petroleum residues, and biomass.