Mexico approves environmental permits for US$2.2bn green methanol plant

Planning for the US$2.2bn Pacífico Mexinol facility that will produce net-zero emissions methanol in Topolobampo, in Mexico’s Sinaloa state, is advancing faster than expected.

After US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar disclosed the US investment last weekend, environmental ministry Semarnat just approved construction of the country’s first green methanol project under one condition, Forbes México reported, citing official documents.

Under the condition, US firm Transition Industries, which is in charge of construction, must ensure to reduce negative environmental impacts to a minimum. Semarnat determined “that the [green methanol plant] is environmentally viable, therefore it has been decided to authorize conditionally,” according to the report.

Among other requirements are submitting an environmental educational program and a waste control program for protecting the environment and maintaining the area’s flora and fauna. 

Topolobampo is a coastal area in Ahome municipality. The company will build storage facilities for exporting the molecule to Asia and docks for receiving vessels, in addition to ducts for transporting green methanol, according to the report.