Methanol is a common chemical found in hundreds of everyday products. Due to the simple nature of its molecular structure, it has become widely used in modern manufacturing and chemical processing plants.

Methanol is everywhere in our daily lives, even if we don’t realize it. Here are some of the most important industrial applications for methanol.

Automotive Fuel

Methanol has been used as a biofuel additive in the automotive industry since it offers more power than gasoline, costs less, and contains less oil. It’s often used in racing due to its high-octane rating, although it’s no longer widespread.

Today, ethanol has become a sustainable alternative to methanol since it’s chemically derived from plant sources, burns cleaner, and is more efficient.

Industrial Solvent

One of the most common uses of methanol is as a liquid solution to dissolve other materials. Depending on the manufacturing process, the end product can be a gas, liquid, or solid.

Working with methanol can be dangerous if you don’t have the required training and PPE to deal with it properly. Here are a few expert tips for handling methanol safely in case you find yourself in a hazardous situation.

Plastics

Methanol is necessary for creating many different types of plastics. It’s used to derive methanal, which is a base component of polymers such as Bakelite. Businesses prefer it because it can be derived from a variety of different sources, making it a secure investment.

Because it isn’t as flammable as similar chemical compounds, methanol is safer for manufacturing carbon-based products. You can find it in synthetic clothing like polyester, adhesives, and medicines.

Building the Modern World

Companies rely on methanol to produce many things. Without it, life would look very different.

Some of the most important industrial applications for methanol are to create products you use every day. This ubiquity makes it one of the most important chemicals for manufacturing in the modern world.