Methanol
The simplest aliphatic alcohol supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the versatile feedstock for formaldehyde, acetic acid and biodiesel manufacture, and a universal industrial solvent — exported from Indonesia in drums and ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Methanol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the simplest aliphatic alcohol, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Methanol is the simplest alcohol, a single methyl group carrying a hydroxyl. That small, highly polar structure makes it fully miscible with water and most organic solvents, and reactive enough to be readily oxidised to formaldehyde, carbonylated to acetic acid, or esterified directly with fatty acids — the three largest industrial transformations built on this one molecule.
At room temperature it is a colourless, highly flammable, volatile liquid with a mild alcoholic odour, essentially indistinguishable from ethanol by smell but acutely toxic if ingested or absorbed in quantity. It requires standard flammable-liquid storage with good ventilation and ignition-source control, and strict segregation from food-grade or beverage-alcohol handling given its toxicity.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Methanol's largest use is oxidation to formaldehyde, the basis of urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins used in adhesives and wood products. It is also carbonylated to acetic acid, esterified with fatty acids and oils to make biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester, FAME), and reacted with isobutylene or methanol-to-olefins catalysis in several other large-scale petrochemical routes. As a solvent, it is used across paints, coatings, antifreeze and fuel additive applications.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Methanol in Grade AA (99.85%+ assay, low water content) suitable for formaldehyde, acetic acid, biodiesel and general solvent applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Methanol is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Methanol is manufactured almost exclusively by the catalytic synthesis of synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, typically derived from steam reforming of natural gas) over a copper-zinc-alumina catalyst at moderate pressure and temperature: CO + 2 H₂ → CH₃OH. The crude methanol is then purified by distillation to remove water and trace by-products.
Why synthesis-gas conversion is universal
Converting synthesis gas directly to methanol over a selective copper-based catalyst gives a single, highly efficient catalytic step from natural gas or other synthesis-gas sources, which is why it has been the dominant commercial process since the low-pressure version of the process was commercialised and remains essentially the only route used at scale today.
Industries and processes that use it
Methanol is consumed across resin, acetic-acid, biodiesel and general solvent manufacture, where its small, reactive hydroxyl group is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Formaldehyde Manufacture
Catalytically oxidised to formaldehyde, the basis of urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins used in adhesives, wood products and moulding compounds.
Acetic Acid (Carbonylation)
Carbonylated with carbon monoxide under catalysis to make acetic acid, used in VAM, PTA and acetate-ester manufacture.
Biodiesel (FAME) Production
Esterified with vegetable oils or animal fats under catalysis to make fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biodiesel.
General Industrial Solvent
Used as a solvent in paints, coatings, antifreeze formulation, and as a feedstock for MTBE-type fuel additives and methanol-to-olefins processes.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The small, polar hydroxyl group governs almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Methanol is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Catalytic Oxidation (to Formaldehyde)
Oxidised over a silver or metal-oxide catalyst to formaldehyde, the single largest downstream use of methanol worldwide.
Carbonylation (to Acetic Acid)
Reacts with carbon monoxide under rhodium or iridium catalysis (the Cativa/Monsanto-type process) to form acetic acid.
Transesterification (to Biodiesel)
Reacts with triglycerides (vegetable oils or animal fats) under base catalysis to form fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerol.
Catalytic Synthesis-Gas Conversion (Upstream)
Synthesis gas (CO, CO2, H2) converts over a copper-based catalyst to form methanol itself, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
Methanol against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Methanol for resin, acetic-acid, biodiesel or solvent applications often need a related industrial solvent. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methanol | 67-56-1 | Simplest aliphatic alcohol | The product on this page — the feedstock for formaldehyde, acetic acid and biodiesel. |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | 67-63-0 | Secondary aliphatic alcohol / solvent | A related aliphatic alcohol solvent — see its product page. |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone | 78-93-3 | Ketone solvent | Another widely used industrial solvent in our range — see its product page. |
| Ethyl Acetate | 141-78-6 | Ester solvent | A related fast-evaporating ester solvent — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Methanol.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
Toxic if swallowed.
Toxic in contact with skin.
Toxic if inhaled.
Chemical-resistant gloves, splash goggles and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame; ground and bond containers during transfer given the low flash point.
Causes delayed, serious toxic effects, including risk of blindness, on ingestion; treat any significant exposure as a medical emergency.
Danger — GHS02 flammable and GHS06 toxic pictograms apply.
This compound is a highly flammable liquid that is toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled, with delayed and serious toxic effects including risk of blindness on ingestion. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof eye protection, and adequate ventilation or respiratory protection, by trained personnel following the precautions in the MSDS supplied with each shipment, which must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, sparks, open flame and strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging given its high volatility and flammability. Strict segregation from food-grade alcohol handling and clear labelling are essential given its toxicity. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and water content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Methanol leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Methanol shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Methanol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Methanol?+
03How is Methanol made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Methanol hazardous?+
06Can Methanol be confused with ethanol (drinking alcohol)?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Isopropyl Alcohol and Methyl Ethyl Ketone as well?+
Need Methanol on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.