Platts to launch Brazil methanol spot assessment Nov. 3

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, will launch a new ex-tank Brazil methanol spot assessment to provide greater transparency to the South American market, effective Nov. 3.

Details for the proposed assessments are as follows:

This launch was first proposed in a subscriber note Sept. 14, available here.

The assessment will reflect product quality in line with the International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA) Reference Specification, with a maximum water content of 0.1% by weight. The referenced product specification will include a minimum purity of 99.85%, maximum water content of 0.1% by weight and maximum ethanol content of 50 mg/kg.

The assessment will reflect the spot value of the product already customs-cleared for domestic sale, excluding domestic taxes (ICMS, PIS/COFINS), and sold in the local currency, the Real. A $/metric tons automatic calculation would also be published.

The assessment will also reflect material that is available 30-60 days forward for the buyer's collection via truck from the seller's designated tank. Platts understands that industry participants commonly refer to materials with such delivery timing as "FOB Port."

Price information with specifications deviating from the listed specifications may be normalized for assessment purposes.

The daily Brazil spot assessments will be assessed at 1:30 pm US Central Standard Time and will follow the Brazil publishing schedule.

The assessments will appear in Europe and US Petrochemicalscan, Solventswire, on S&P Global Energy Core and in the Platts Price Point Database.

Please send all comments, feedback and questions to petchems@spglobal.com and 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 make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.