Bankable · Methanol economics
Open the input bill.
An illustrative screen for one tonne of CO₂-derived methanol. Change the assumptions; keep the omitted costs visible. All prices below use USD.
Input subtotal · not total production cost
$708/t
Purchased hydrogen + CO₂ inputs only
| Purchased H₂ | $570/t |
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| CO₂ input | $138/t |
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| H₂ electricity quantity | Not calculated in purchased mode |
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| Total delivered cost | Not calculated |
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| Lifecycle CI / qualification | Not calculated |
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The chosen prices are illustrations, not market quotes. A low subtotal does not establish a profitable or qualifying fuel project.
What this screen leaves out
Actual conversion losses and input overconsumption; auxiliary power and heat; CO₂ preparation not included in the quote; equipment, fixed operating cost, financing, storage, logistics, tax and margin. In onsite mode, electrolyser capital and non-electric costs also remain outside the subtotal. No credit is assumed for oxygen, heat or policy revenue.
Five evidence files before a decision
| Gate | Evidence to request |
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| Inputs | Quality, quantity, timing, origin and binding supply terms |
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| Operation | Integrated accepted output, utilities, interruptions and residues |
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| Carbon | Relevant lifecycle method, traceability and buyer/program acceptance |
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| Delivered economics | Complete cost stack on the same product and delivery basis |
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| Buyer | Specification, price mechanism, volume, term and qualification-risk allocation |
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Method and source
Rounded inputs: 190 kg H₂ and 1.38 t CO₂ per tonne of methanol, following IRENA / Methanol Institute (2021), printed page 44. Approximate normalized inputs do not guarantee actual plant yield. Purchased mode: 190 × H₂ price + 1.38 × CO₂ price. Onsite mode: (190 × kWh/kg ÷ 1,000) × power price + 1.38 × CO₂ price. The two hydrogen modes are alternatives.