U.S. chemical producer Celanese has announced plans to build a second 1.3 million t/y methanol plant at its Bishop, Texas site, using low-cost natural gas from the U.S. Gulf Coast region as a feedstock.

No planned start-up date was given.

The company said it will consider operating the plant as a joint venture similar to the arrangement it has with Japan's Mitsui for the same-sized methanol unit due to go on stream in the third quarter of 2015. Ground breaking ceremonies were held in January.

Celanese said the Bishop plant will profit from back integration, good infrastructure and economies of scale. The site manufactures specialty chemicals, engineered materials and pharmaceutical products.