Restart of Celanese/Mitsui Methanol Plant in Texas Hits Snag

The restart of the 1.3 million mt/year Celanese/Mitsui methanol plant in Clear Lake, Texas, after a turnaround hit a snag that led to a shutdown, according to a weekend filing to state regulators.

"The affected equipment is being cooled down to permit an inspection to take place," Celanese said in the filing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "Following the inspection, a plan will be developed to address any identified deficiency prior to restart."

The filing said that the restart would begin on or after Sunday, May 7, and outlined a potential window for related emissions ending May 17.

The company declined to comment when reached by S&P Global Platts.

The plant went into the planned turnaround March 31 and by April 28 was in the process of restarting, according to an earlier TCEQ filing that said that restart was expected to last up to 10 days.

The turnaround affected the methanol unit as well as all downstream acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer units at the site, according to sources.

Platts last assessed US spot methanol Monday at 90.75-91.25 and 90.75-91.25 cents/gal FOB USG for May and June, respectively.