European Commission clears acquisition of OCI methanol business by Methanex

The European Commission on Wednesday (14 May) said it has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of the global methanol business of Netherlands-based OCI Global by Canada’s Methanex Corporation.

EC said the transaction relates primarily to the market for the production and supply of methanol.

“The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active,” it said.

“In particular, the Commission examined the effects of the transaction on the supply of methanol in the European Economic Area (EEA).”

The EC found that the transaction does not raise concerns given the fragmented nature of this market in the EEA, and the existence of several alternative providers to which customers could switch following the transaction. 

“The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure,” it added. 

Manifold Times previously reported Methanex entering a definitive agreement to acquire OCI’s international methanol business for USD 2.05 billion.

The transaction includes OCI’s interest in two world-scale methanol facilities in Beaumont, Texas, one of which also produces ammonia. The transaction also includes a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol facility in the Netherlands.

In 2023, Maersk signed a deal with OCI on the delivery of green bio-methanol for the maiden journey of its first methanol-enabled container vessel.

Note: More information is available on the EC’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11812.

Related: Methanex to acquire OCI Global international methanol business
Related: OCI Global to deliver green methanol bunker fuel for Maersk boxship on maiden voyage

Photo credit: OCI Global
Published: 16 May, 2025