Methanol (methyl alcohol) is a pure, colorless, quickly evaporating, flammable liquid with the formula CH3OH, miscible with water in any proportion, with an odor similar to that of ethyl alcohol. It is considered the most demanded raw material in many areas of the chemical industry. Methanol is used to prevent the formation of crystal hydrates (inhibitor) during the extraction, preparation, transportation of oil and gas, in wells, pipelines and underground gas reservoirs, as well as in the production of such products as acetic acid, plastic materials, synthetic fibers, household paints, adhesives, etc. In addition, methanol can be used as a high-octane additive to gasoline, as well as a fuel for internal combustion engines.
The Methanol Plant, located in the Garadagh district of Baku, was commissioned in 2013 and became the first production facility operating in the gas and chemical sector in the country. The low-pressure methanol production technology of the British company ICI was used during the construction of the plant. In November 2016, the plant was transferred to the ownership of SOCAR Methanol LLC, a subsidiary of SOCAR, and since October 2018, it has been included in the structure of SOCAR.
The annual production capacity of the plant is 561 thousand tons, the total area is 36.5 hectares. The production process of the plant includes the preparation of a raw material-gas mixture, the production of high-pressure steam, reforming of raw materials with the participation of steam, the synthesis of methanol based on reforming gas, and the enrichment of crude methanol.
The plant produces technical methanol of grade "A" with a purity of 99.9% and is considered pure methanol according to international standards. The product has an international certificate "REACH", which ensures constant and stable sales dynamics of the product in European markets.
The quality of methanol is regularly checked by the Central Laboratory of the plant accredited in accordance with the requirements of the standard "AZS ISO / IES-17025: 2020" and an international quality control company. The methanol plant is certified according to international standards ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 50001:2018.
The produced methanol is sold by the Marketing and Economic Operations Department of SOCAR. More than 97% of total sales are exported, and in 2023 this figure was 97%.
The location of the plant plays an important role in the efficient transportation of manufactured products to foreign markets. The exported product is sent from the Garadagh station of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC to the Parto-Tskali station of the Georgian Railway Administration, and from there to the Kulevi seaport located in Georgia. Transportation is carried out by 252 tank cars owned by the plant. In order to fulfill obligations on time and qualitative manner, there are 2 reservoirs with a total capacity of 48 thousand tons for storage of finished products in the territory of the plant.
When sold on the domestic market, the product is sent in tank cars from Garadag station to Sangachal station, and from there to PO Azneft. It is also transported in special tank trucks provided by customers.
The plant constantly monitors the environmental friendliness of production and the reduction of harmful impact on the environment.
Safe management of the business process, asset integrity, environmental protection, safe and high-quality performance of all work and operations are the most important tasks at the Methanol plant.