US Methanol broke ground for its new methanol production facility in Institute in Kanawha County today. The Liberty One plant will convert natural gas into methanol. The West Virginia plant is US Methanol’s first in the United States.

“Ultimately, the plant will create around 50 permanent, good-paying jobs,” said Governor Jim Justice. “Our state has been home to leaders in the chemical industry for years. West Virginia workers provide a knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated labor pool that the chemical industry can count on. We welcome US Methanol to our business community and look forward to having them succeed and grow with us.”

“Today’s groundbreaking makes it clear that West Virginia is a great place for the petrochemical industry to do business,” said West Virginia Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher. “Our state offers abundant natural gas, attractive sites, co-location opportunities, great chemical talent and the drive to move projects ahead.”

US Methanol is leasing 11 acres from Dow Chemical Company at the Institute site. The company will disassemble the chemical plant in Brazil and reassemble it as Liberty One in West Virginia.

Liberty One is expected to produce approximately 200,000 metric tons of methanol a year. US Methanol plans to supply high quality, made-in-the USA methanol to industrial customers. High-grade methanol is valuable as a feedstock for resin and as material in the production of a wide range of products such as carpeting and plastic water bottles.

Headquartered in Charleston, US Methanol plans to supply high quality, made-in-the USA methanol to industrial customers by barge, rail and truck.