One molecule, many grades
Methanol (CH3OH, CAS 67-56-1) is one of the simplest molecules in industrial chemistry, yet the market around it is segmented by purity, distillation range, water content and packaging. Two lots that both say “methanol” can sit at very different price levels.
The grade ladder looks roughly like this:
| Grade | Typical purity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel methanol | ~99.8% | Blending, energy |
| Industrial grade | 99.85–99.9% | Formaldehyde, acetic acid, solvents, MTBE |
| Chemical grade / IMO | ~99.85% | Downstream chemical feedstocks |
| Electronic-grade (UPSSS) | 99.99%+ | Semiconductor cleaning, wafer processing |
The largest volume of methanol is consumed as a chemical feedstock (formaldehyde, acetic acid, olefins) — not as fuel. Buyers outside the energy segment usually need the industrial or chemical grade.
What the spec sheet actually controls
Purity and water content
Water is the most common impurity. Higher water content dilutes the active mass and matters in processes where water poisons a catalyst (e.g. methyl ester production). Purity of 99.9% is routine for industrial grade; electronic-grade material holds tighter limits on metals, ions and particles.
Distillation range
A narrow distillation range is an indicator of a cleaner product. Standard industrial methanol distills within a couple of tenths of a degree; electronic-grade material has a much tighter window plus strict limits on organics.
Packaging and supply chain
Methanol moves in bulk (ISO tanks, barges), in drums and in IBCs. Bulk is dramatically cheaper per tonne but requires receiving infrastructure. For project and laboratory buyers, drum and IBC supply with correct documentation matters more than the bulk price.
How premia form
Three levers create the price difference between grades:
- Specification tightness — electronic-grade production needs dedicated purification and clean handling; the cost floor is higher.
- Volumes and logistics — bulk versus packaged changes the delivered cost substantially, often more than the grade itself.
- Certification and paperwork — analysis certificates, origin documents and compliance with the destination market add to the cost of small lots.
Never compare “methanol” prices without the specification and the delivery basis. A bulk industrial-grade price per tonne is not a reference for 20 drums of electronic-grade methanol delivered to a lab.
What to specify in an enquiry
A complete enquiry should fix the following:
- Purity (minimum %, and which impurities are critical for your process)
- Water content (maximum, often 0.05–0.15% for industrial use)
- Distillation range if relevant
- Packaging (ISO tank, IBC, drum) and destination
- Documentation (CoA, origin, safety data sheet)
- Delivery term (ex-works, FOB, CIF) — this decides who eats the freight
The clearer the specification, the more comparable the offers you will receive — and the less often “low price” turns out to be a different product.
If you are buying methanol on a recurring basis, our team can quote against your exact specification across industrial and electronic grades.