Egypt produces around 1.1 million tonnes of methanol annually, meeting domestic industrial demand while exporting surplus to global markets, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi said. Badawi spoke at the general assembly meeting of Methanex Egypt to approve its 2025 financial results, highlighting the company’s role in supporting local industries.
Minister Badawi highlighted Methanex Egypt’s strategic role in supporting local industries and strengthening Egypt’s export capacity. He called for assessing potential expansion plans to capitalize on growing international demand.
Managing Director Mohamed Shindy said the company is Egypt’s sole methanol producer, operating as a joint venture between Methanex Corporation and state-linked entities including Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company, Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, Gasco, and Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation. The partnership, spanning more than 15 years, has maximized the value of natural gas resources.
Shindy noted that Methanex Corporation is the largest Canadian investor in Egypt, with around $1bn invested in its Damietta industrial complex. Domestic methanol supplies have risen from 20,000 tonnes annually at startup to nearly 200,000 tonnes today, with downstream industries generating up to three times the base value.
A nearby methanol derivatives plant in Suez is expected to begin operations soon, supported by a new pipeline supplying an additional 58,000 tonnes to the domestic market. The company has exported over 12 million tonnes to European and Asian markets since operations began, achieving 100% operational reliability, 1.1 million tonnes production, and 1.5 million safe working hours in 2025.
Methanex Egypt has advanced process safety management in Egypt since 2018, launching the country’s first professional diploma in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and The American University in Cairo. The first cohort graduated in February, and a new agreement supports a third phase of capacity-building programs.