Trade body says the new identity reflects methanol's spread across sectors. Image Credit: MI

• Methanol Institute becomes MI, The Global Methanol Alliance
• Body cites methanol-capable fleet of over 150 vessels, with 290-plus on order
• Renewable methanol capacity seen growing from 0.9 million to 6-12 million mt by end-2031
• New website launched as methanol data and market intelligence hub

The Methanol Institute has rebranded as MI, The Global Methanol Alliance, saying the new name reflects what the trade body has grown into as methanol spreads beyond its chemical roots.

The organisation says methanol is now a well-established marine fuel, counting more than 150 methanol-capable vessels in operation and over 290 on order, alongside growing applications in aviation, road transport, power generation, and as a hydrogen carrier.

It puts renewable methanol production capacity at 0.9 million mt today across 47 operational or in-development projects, and expects that capacity to reach 6 million to 12 million mt by the end of 2031.

"The methanol industry has changed, and we have changed with it," said Ben Iosefa, chair of MI's board of directors, in a statement on Tuesday.

"Over the past six years, we have seen methanol move into new markets and our membership expand across sectors and the value chain."

The body says it increasingly operates where those sectors intersect, connecting industry with policymakers and working across the value chain on the standards, safety frameworks, and regulations needed for methanol markets to scale.

"The Global Methanol Alliance reflects who we are today: a place where the industry comes together, connects across markets and sectors, and works collectively on the issues that will shape methanol's next phase of growth," said CEO Alexander Doll.

Alongside the new identity, the alliance has launched a new website intended as a source for methanol data, market insights, and resources covering the fuel's markets, safety, policy, and regulation.

The organisation operates from offices in Washington DC, Brussels, Beijing, Delhi, and Singapore.