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Methanex, Mitsubishi, Mitsui Join to Promote Methanol for Fuel Cell Vehicles

December 19, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

Methanex Corp. (Canada), Mitsubishi Corp. (Japan) and Mitsui &and Co. Ltd. (Japan) have entered into a strategic alliance aimed to promote the merits of methanol in Japan as the fuel of choice for fuel cell vehicle applications.

The parties will work with governmental and nongovernmental agencies to address any potential regulatory hurdles and encourage the initiation of methanol-based fuel cell vehicle demonstration programs to enhance public awareness of methanol. The parties will also work with the Japanese automotive industry to ensure a common fuel specification and provide assurance that methanol of a suitable quality and quantity will be available at retail stations. In addition, the parties will cooperate with potential Japanese methanol retailers to plan for commercialization and to work toward cost-effective retail introduction of methanol fuel in Japan.

Toshihiko Sasahira, director and COO of the petrochemicals and polymers group of Mitsui, commented, “We are delighted to take this step forward in trying to promote methanol as the fuel of choice for fuel cell vehicles. We believe that the long and world-wide relationship we have enjoyed with Methanex and Mitsubishi, and the existing know-how we have developed over the past 20 years, may contribute to the smooth introduction of this technology for cleaner air."