The 4th Annual Foro Mar de Cortés “Cities with a Future” Summit, held on November 15, 2024, brought together over 400 leaders, experts, business executives, and philanthropists to address the pressing environmental and social challenges facing urban areas across Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Gulf of California region.
Among the highlights of the summit was a presentation by Rommel Gallo, CEO of Transition Industries LLC, who showcased the transformative potential of the Pacifico Mexinol project. This ultra-low carbon methanol production facility, located near Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico, is set to begin operations in 2028 and will be the largest of its kind globally. Once operational, it will produce approximately 350,000 metric tons of green methanol and 1.8 million metric tons of blue methanol annually.
Driving Sustainability with Innovation
Speaking on a panel about projects that positively impact communities and the environment, Gallo emphasized the groundbreaking technologies underpinning Pacifico Mexinol.
“With an investment exceeding $2.5 billion, Pacifico Mexinol will be a global pioneer in blue and green methanol production at scale,” Gallo stated. “By utilizing green hydrogen and carbon capture technologies, we are advancing a sustainable transition toward net-zero carbon emissions. Our green hydrogen plant will rank among the largest in the world.”
Water Reuse for Environmental Protection
A key feature of the project is its purpose-driven water strategy, which represents the world’s largest industrial application of municipal effluent reuse. Rather than relying on natural water sources or seawater, Pacifico Mexinol will treat and recycle municipal wastewater in a closed-loop system, significantly reducing environmental impact. This innovative approach will prevent more than 12 million tons of wastewater annually from being discharged into the Bay of Ohuira, helping to protect the Gulf of California’s ecosystem.
Community Collaboration
Transition Industries is actively collaborating with local academic institutions, NGOs, and civil society organizations in Sinaloa to conduct studies on ecosystem services and community dynamics in the project’s vicinity. These partnerships aim to foster social and environmental sustainability throughout the project lifecycle.
A Collaborative Effort
The Pacifico Mexinol project is being developed in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, further underscoring its global significance and commitment to sustainability.
About Transition Industries
Based in Houston, Texas, Transition Industries LLC develops large-scale net-zero carbon methanol and hydrogen projects across North America, focusing on addressing climate change while promoting environmental and social sustainability. For more information, email [email protected] or visit their website.
