Blueprint for a methanol society: Overview
— Industrialization pathways toward carbon neutrality and MESJ's activity plan —

Date and time: July 7, 2026 (Tuesday) 17:00–19:00 JST, 8:00–10:00 UTC , 9:00–11:00 BST,  10:00–12:00 CEST
Format: Online

Speaker: Junji Nakamura

Participation fee: Free

Language: English

Target audience: Companies, research institutions, government officials, and those interested in CO₂ utilization, methanol, and carbon-neutral fuels.

overview:
In the first session, we will introduce the overall picture of the book "Blueprint for a Methanol Society," and provide an integrated explanation of CO₂ capture, renewable energy, green hydrogen, methanol synthesis, fuel use, power generation use, and its application to the chemical industry. We will also introduce MESJ's activity plan, monthly seminars, partnership system, and future formation of corporate consortia.

program:

14:30-16:00
Lecture: "Blueprint for a Methanol Society: An Overview"

16:00-16:20
Introduction to MESJ's activity plan and partnership system

16:20-16:30
Question and Answer Session and Exchange of Opinions

How to apply:
Please apply by filling out your email address, name, and affiliation in the inquiry form .

The advantages of methanol as an energy carrier
—Considering hydrogen, ammonia, and batteries—

Date and Time: Scheduled for August 6th, 2026 (Thursday) 17:00–19:00 JST, 8:00–10:00 UTC , 9:00–11:00 BST,  10:00–12:00 CEST
Format: Online

Speaker: Junji Nakamura

Participation fee: Free

Language: English

Target audience: Companies, research institutions, government officials, energy carriers, CO₂ utilization, carbon-neutral fuels, and methanol utilization.

overview:
In the second session, we will discuss the characteristics and advantages of methanol, focusing on the selection of energy carriers in a carbon-neutral society. To introduce large-scale renewable energy, energy carriers capable of storing and transporting electricity, and utilizing it as fuel or chemical raw materials, are essential. This seminar will explore the potential of methanol as a liquid fuel, chemical raw material, and international energy transport medium, comparing it with options such as hydrogen, ammonia, and batteries.

Main points:

• Advantages and challenges of hydrogen, ammonia, and batteries.

• Ease of storage, transport, and handling of methanol

• Compatibility with existing infrastructure

• Uses as fuel, power generation, and chemical raw materials

• Potential as an international energy transport medium

• Challenges of corporate collaboration in a methanol society

 

CO₂ recovery and methanol synthesis
— Towards the implementation of carbon recycling —

Date and Time: Scheduled for early September 2026 Format: Online

Speaker: Junji Nakamura

Language used: English

Target audience: Companies, research institutions, government officials, and anyone interested in CO₂ capture, CCU, methanol synthesis, carbon recycling, and carbon-neutral fuels.

Overview:
The 3rd MESJ Monthly Seminar will focus on CO₂ recovery and methanol synthesis, which are central to the methanol society.

To achieve a carbon-neutral society, it is necessary not only to reduce CO₂ emissions but also to have a system in place to utilize captured CO₂ as a resource. This seminar will explain the capture of CO₂ emitted from power plants, steel, cement, and chemical industries, as well as the possibility of methanol synthesis using hydrogen derived from renewable energy.

Furthermore, we will position CO₂ not merely as waste, but as a carbon resource that can be converted into artificial fuels and chemical raw materials, and discuss the role that methanol synthesis plays in implementing carbon recycling.

Main points:

• The necessity and challenges of CO₂ capture

• CO₂ emissions from power generation, steel, cement, and chemical industries

• Methanol synthesis as a use for recovered CO₂

• Combination with hydrogen derived from renewable energy

• Methanol synthesis technology from CO₂

• Carbon recycling and methanol supply chain

• Potential for social implementation through inter-industry collaboration

 

Chemical uses of methanol
— Potential as a key raw material supporting the chemical industry —

Date and Time: Scheduled for early October 2026 Format: Online

Speaker: Junji Nakamura

Language used: English

Target audience: Companies, research institutions, government officials, the chemical industry, C1 chemistry, methanol chemistry, CO₂ utilization, carbon recycling, and those interested in carbon-neutral raw materials.

Overview:
The 4th MESJ Monthly Seminar will focus on the use of methanol as a chemical raw material.

Methanol is used not only as a fuel and energy carrier, but also as a starting material for a wide variety of chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetic acid, dimethyl ether, methyl methacrylate, olefins, and aromatic compounds. In a carbon-neutral society, utilizing methanol produced from CO₂ and renewable energy as a key raw material in the chemical industry could potentially shift chemical production from being dependent on fossil resources to a circular carbon utilization model.

This seminar will provide an overview of major chemical processes starting with methanol and discuss the role of methanol in decarbonization of the chemical industry, CO₂ recycling, and supply chain development.

Main points:

• The importance of methanol as a chemical raw material

• Basic chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, and DME

• Olefin and aromatic production using MTO, MTP, and MTA

• Carbon source conversion in the chemical industry

• Carbon recycling using CO₂-derived methanol

• Next-generation chemical supply chain