The Pacífico Mexinol project celebrated the start of its pre-construction phase with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of one of the most significant global industrial investments in blue and ultra-low carbon methanol. The event brought together diplomats, government officials, and national and international business leaders, reflecting the strategic importance of the project for Mexico and its integration into the new low-carbon economy.
The ceremony was led by Rommel Gallo, CEO of Transition Industries, Mexinol’s parent company, accompanied by the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ron Johnson; the Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry of the Ministry of Economy, Dr. Vidal Llerenas; the Director General of International Affairs of the Ministry of Energy, Dr. Laila Porras; and the Director of CFEnergía, Eréndira Corral.
Also participating were multilateral organizations—including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group—international investors, representatives of development finance institutions and export credit agencies from the United States, Italy, Germany, and South Korea, federal officials, and executives from global companies involved in the project’s development. Messages were also received from the ambassadors of Japan and Italy, reflecting the broad international and financial support for this initiative.
In his keynote address during the ceremony, Rommel Gallo, CEO of Transition Industries, emphasized:
Mexinol is a strategic platform for North American competitiveness, generating economic value and quality jobs in Mexico and the United States. Equally important is its integration of global resources, infrastructure, and capital to create a world-class chemical facility. We are proud of the partnerships we have built to position Mexico as a key player in the new global chemical industry, strengthening its role in more sophisticated value chains and optimizing the use of resources, from wastewater to natural gas and green hydrogen.
Ron Johnson, United States Ambassador to Mexico:
Today we are not only laying the groundwork, we are building the future of our two countries and strengthening the kind of collaboration that delivers tangible results for our people. Today marks an important milestone, not only for the Mexinol project, but for the bilateral relationship. Beyond cross-border employment and development opportunities, today we are here to support a private investment model based on trust, transparency, fairness, and the rule of law.
Vidal Llerenas, Undersecretary of Commerce and Industry of the Ministry of Economy:
We recognize the Mexican government’s support for this strategic project for the industrial development of Sinaloa, which strengthens confidence and attracts investment. Beyond the numbers, Pacífico Mexinol will generate jobs, opportunities, and economic benefits for the region. It is an initiative aligned with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Plan México, which promotes more balanced and sustainable growth in the country.
Laila Porras, Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Energy:
Pacífico Mexinol demonstrates that strategic collaboration between the State and the private sector can boost Mexico as a reliable and competitive partner in the transition to cleaner energy, reinforcing its leadership and responsibility in the global climate agenda.
The world’s largest ultra-low carbon plant
Pacífico Mexinol is designed as a next-generation facility under a Net Zero model, with engineering aimed at virtually eliminating the carbon footprint of the process. With an investment exceeding $3.3 billion, the project seeks to transform methanol production—a key input for the global economy—through a sustainable and competitive approach.
Field engineering and site preparation work will begin next month, with full construction scheduled to start by the end of 2026. When it begins operations between the end of 2029 and early 2030, Mexinol is projected to be the world’s largest ultra-low carbon chemical facility, producing approximately 1.8 million tons of blue methanol and 350,000 tons of ultra-low carbon methanol annually.
Developed by Transition Industries, with participation from the IFC, the project incorporates international partnerships, including an ultra-low-emission methanol supply agreement with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical of Japan. It is also part of the Topolobampo Development Hub, positioning the region as a key center for industrial development in North America, generating more than 6,000 jobs during construction and at least 450 permanent direct and indirect jobs during operation.
A model of a good neighbor, local and global
Representatives from the main companies involved in the future construction and operation of the plant — such as SAMSUNG E&A (South Korea), Techint Engineering and Construction (Mexico), Grupo Maire / NextChem / KT Tech (Italy), Siemens Energy (Germany), Bonatti (Italy), SIAD Group (Italy), Emerson (United States), Veolia (France) and CFEnergía (Mexico) — participated in the event, along with investors and multilateral institutions.
Mexinol is committed to the highest environmental and sustainability standards, leveraging technology and innovation through the exclusive use of treated wastewater from the Municipality of Ahome; operating under a zero-discharge scheme into Ohuira Bay and local water bodies; utilizing existing port infrastructure; and creating a conservation zone to protect the region’s ecosystem.
The event was interrupted by a group of protesters who voiced their opinions. The company reiterated that Mexinol respects the right to peaceful freedom of expression and acknowledged that a project of this magnitude can generate differing opinions. Mexinol had already inaugurated the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony the previous day with a “Community Day” and committed to holding it annually on Earth Day. As part of its Good Neighbor Program, the company continues to formally recognize and value community participation in the project’s development through public dialogue, with the media, and always peacefully.
About Transition Industries LLC
Transition Industries LLC, headquartered in Houston, Texas, develops global, net-zero emissions methanol and hydrogen projects in North America to address climate change and promote environmental and social sustainability. For more information about Pacifico Mexinol or Transition Industries, please write to inquiries@transitionind.com
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