Platts proposes to discontinue industry-settled European methanol quarterly contract price

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, proposes to discontinue the publication of the industry-settled European methanol quarterly contract price, effective July 29, 2026.

The published number reflects industry-settled gross prices for long-term contract deliveries during the current quarter, before discounts. Platts requires confirmation that at least two independent buyers and at least two independent sellers had agreed on the same price before updating the price at the start of the settlement quarter. In cases of multiple price settlements, Platts publishes an average reflecting industry convention.

After careful review of market activity and stakeholder feedback, Platts has determined that the aforementioned contract structure no longer reflects market practices. Additionally, market feedback suggested that the year-over-year increases in rebates have reduced the transparency that the publication of a gross contract price provides.

The following symbols would be discontinued under this proposal:

Platts currently publishes a net monthly contract price that reflects net prices for long-term contract deliveries during the current month. The monthly contract price is published on the 1st of each month, and reflects the average of Platts' daily month-ahead FOB Rotterdam spot assessments, published during the preceding month (MEFRA01, MEFRA02).

Platts will continue to publish the net contract price assessments for methanol databased under the following symbols:

These assessments appear on S&P Global Energy Core, Platts Market Center, and Platts Chemical Alert (PCA) fixed pages PCA346 and PCA1160.

Please send all feedback, comments, and questions by May 18, 2026, to petchems@spglobal.com with a copy to pricegroup@spglobal.com. For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.

Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.