Johnson Matthey awarded Geismar 3 plant contract

Johnson Matthey (JM) has been awarded the methanol plant license for Methanex Corp.’s Geismar 3 plant, incorporating the world’s largest standalone autothermal reformer (ATR) in the methanol marketplace. In mid-July, the Methanex Board of Directors reached a final investment decision to construct a 1.8 million t methanol plant in Geismar, Louisiana adjacent to its existing Geismar 1 and Geismar 2 facilities. JM was awarded the contract to supply the licence for the ATR methanol technology flowsheet, including associated basic engineering, proprietary equipment and catalyst supply. Construction on the US$1.3 – 1.4 billion plant will begin later this year with operations targeted for the second half of 2022.

When Geismar 3 operations commence, this will become the eighth Methanex plant in operation to use JM-licensed methanol technology and the second to use a JM ATR, a testament to the operational reliability and flexibility of JM’s portfolio and ATR technology. JM’s world scale methanol generation technology has been licensed for more than four decades with over 90 plant licences granted in that time. JM’s syngas-generation technology options include steam methane reforming, combined reforming, ATR and gas-heated reforming, allowing for a tailored approach to each customer’s particular methanol project requirements.

“We are delighted to be selected as technology supplier by Methanex yet again, demonstrating our ability to deliver a bespoke flowsheet to suit our customers’ requirements. We look forward to closely supporting the project through the engineering, construction, commissioning and start-up phases and into ongoing operation,” said John Gordon, Managing Director, Johnson Matthey.