The 4th Annual Foro Mar de Cortés “Cities with a Future” Summit concluded on November 15, 2024, bringing together over 400 leaders, experts, business executives, and philanthropists to explore solutions to the environmental and social challenges facing urban areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly those along the Gulf of California.
Rommel Gallo, CEO of Transition Industries LLC, was invited to present the environmental and biodiversity benefits of the Pacifico Mexinol project—a world-scale ultra-low carbon methanol production facility located near Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico. The facility, which is set to begin operations in 2028, will be the largest single ultra-low carbon chemical plant globally, producing approximately 350,000 metric tons of green methanol and 1.8 million metric tons of blue methanol annually.
During a panel on transformative projects that benefit both communities and the environment, Mr. Gallo shared, “With an investment exceeding US $2.5 billion, Pacifico Mexinol will be a global leader in producing both blue and green methanol at scale, utilizing green hydrogen and carbon capture technologies to support the transition to net-zero emissions. Our green hydrogen production plant will be among the largest globally.”
In addition to its Net Zero design, the Pacifico Mexinol project features an innovative water strategy aimed at being the largest industrial application of water reuse from municipal effluent in the world. Rather than using seawater or natural sources, the facility will treat and recycle municipal wastewater, returning it to the local facility in a closed-loop system. This will prevent more than 12 million tons of wastewater per year from being discharged into the Bay of Ohuira, which flows into the Gulf of California.
Transition Industries is also collaborating with academics, NGOs, and local civil society organizations in Sinaloa to sponsor studies on ecosystem services and social structures that connect communities in the project area.
The Pacifico Mexinol project is being developed in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.
