Singapore-based Methanol Institute (MI) said methanol use in the Philippines can benefit consumers through development of higher-quality, lower-cost and environmentally beneficial fuel solutions.
This, after the Department of Energy-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-IMB) conducted inspections of liquid petroleum products in gasoline stations and retail outlets nationwide to test the presence of methanol and to ensure compliance with Philippine National Standards for fuels. It was discovered that methanol was being added illegally to gasoline—in concentrations ranging from 1 percent to 14 percent—while gasoline was being transported to individual filling stations.
According to MI, methanol is a liquid chemical that can be derived from natural gas, coal, sustainable biomass, municipal solid waste and captured carbon dioxide.
Global methanol demand in 2016 is forecast to reach approximately 80 million metric ton, of which, 7 million tons is used for blending into gasoline. Direct methanol fuel blending has increased at an annual growth rate of 23 percent between 2009 and 2015.
Like all fuels, methanol must be used and handled with care, according to MI.
Methanol is used safely as a transportation fuel in a number of countries, where stakeholders develop methanol-gasoline blends under approved government standards.
MI and its members commit significant resources to ensuring methanol safe handling and use throughout the supply chain. They work closely with their customers and government partners to monitor, track, and ensure proper distribution and use of methanol throughout the supply chain.
MI said methanol’s success in transportation fuels has been due to its economically competitive costs, octane-enhancing properties and environmental benefits.
In China, it added, millions of drivers fuel their cars with M15 fuel, a blend of 15- percent methanol and 85-percent gasoline with cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors. These M15 blends are sold at the pump as regular gasoline for use in the existing fleets of passenger cars.
MI also said use of methanol fuels and development of methanol vehicles are also growing outside of China. Israel will introduce an M15 car in 2017 and an M85 car in two years. The European Union allows for up to 3-percent methanol in gasoline, and it is being blended in the UK and the Netherlands fuel pools.
“Development, therefore, of Philippine government-approved fuel standards and related policies will also be vital for the safe and effective use of methanol in gasoline blends,” according to statement from MI.
The Philippines currently imports approximately 130,000 tons of methanol annually for use primarily in the production of biodiesel fuel of which methanol typically accounts for 10 percent to 15 percent of biodiesel content.
Nonetheless, MI expressed support to the efforts to ensure high-quality, safe petroleum products for consumers and their vehicles in the Philippines.
“MI and the methanol industry look forward to working with DOE-OIMB and related stakeholders, to develop opportunities for the local production of renewable methanol, and for methanol to be used safely and effectively in transportation fuels and related chemical and energy applications throughout the Philippines,” it said.