China approves methanol fuel standard

China’s Standardization Administration has approved the country’s standard for methanol automotive fuels. Effective November 1, 2009, the standard outlines technical requirements, testing methods, identification rules and the marking, packing, shipping, storage and safety guidelines for methanol fuels. Officials said they believe implementation of the standard will help promote the use of such fuels in China. It will also ease methanol manufacturers’ production pains by increasing market demand, as the usage of methanol fuel is expected to grow steadily. The National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner, has identified methanol as a good alternate fuel to use in the coming 20 to 30 years. Methanol price in China has been falling amid the global financial crisis and plunging oil prices since September 2008. (June 2, 2009)