Pandemic forces Methanex to extend shutdown of plant in Trinidad indefinitely
By Medicine Hat News on January 8, 2021.
Methanex has extended a shutdown of its methanol plant in Trinidad indefinitely as it seeks to secure a new natural gas supply contract, the global producer that has major operations in Medicine Hat announced on Thursday. The plant was initially idled last March as the company managed curbed production levels in light of a global slowdown in manufacturing as an effect of the coronavirus. This week Methanex said the facility will remain closed as it attempts to secure a new long-term gas supplier. About 60 positions are affected. “We believe that we will be able to secure an economic longer-term natural gas agreement for Titan in the coming years,” said CEO John Floren in a release. Methanex also holds near two-thirds ownership share in the Atlas methanol plant in Trinidad. That facility has a separate gas supply contract in place until 2024. The company reported in its late October financial report that it saw increased demand for the industrial chemical that is used in manufacturing and as fuel. The Titan facility has an annual capacity of 875,000 tonnes, compared to the Medicine Hat plant’s rating of about 600,000. 8-7
