November 21, 2023
Congratulations to USM employee, Jesse Harper, who recently celebrated his 5-year service anniversary with US Methanol. On behalf of US Methanol, a service award was presented by Kevin Biehle, COO and Chase Tarpy, Maintenance Manager, to express deepest thanks and appreciation for Mr. Harper’s continuous efforts and contributions to the Company.
August 18, 2023
Notice of full repayment of CZK 2.1 billion Czech bonds
Liberty One Methanol LLC, part of KKCG, announces that it has repaid in full its bonds to the value of CZK 2,100,000,000 on 3 August 2023, prior to reaching full maturity on 23 October 2023.
The bonds were issued on 23 October 2018, secured by a financial guarantee issued by KKCG, to fund the construction of US Methanol, a facility in Institute, West Virginia which opened earlier this year and is expected to produce 200,000 metric tons of high-quality methanol annually.
The bonds were refinanced by a loan from WhiteHorse Capital, a US-based institution, and reflect the successful transition of the US Methanol plant in Dunbar from construction to operations.
About Liberty One Methanol LLC
Liberty One Methanol LLC was founded by KKCG in 2016 with the mission to reliably produce and deliver the highest quality methanol to industrial consumers based in the United States. The company is headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, US. The company is committed to gold-standard operations to produce its product in a manner that protects its employees, the community, and the environment.
April 25, 2023
KKCG and US Methanol Celebrate the First Methanol Manufacturing Facility in West Virginia
KKCG and US Methanol LLC co-hosted an event to mark the completion and successful opening of West Virginia’s first methanol production facility, located in the Institute Industrial Complex, located in the Kanawha Valley.
The manufacturing facility is expected to produce 200,000 metric tons of high-quality methanol annually to customers in West Virginia and the surrounding states. Methanol is a key component used to manufacture various consumer products, including electronics and medicine. With an investment of more than $250 million, the facility creates more than 50 new, high-quality industrial jobs in West Virginia.
US Methanol was founded by KKCG in 2016, recognizing West Virginia’s strong credentials as a competitive manufacturing location, underpinned by abundant natural resources, pre-existing infrastructure, a pro-business environment, and local know-how.
The opening of this facility signals KKCG’s commitment to providing investment into the region and supporting the local communities in which it operates.
Celebrating Success
To celebrate this milestone, KKCG and US Methanol hosted an event at West Virginia State University. The event featured keynote remarks and a panel discussion with relevant business leaders, elected officials, and academics to explore ways to achieve lasting and sustainable economic growth in West Virginia.
Event speakers and panelists included:
Governor Jim Justice, West Virginia
Senator Joe Manchin
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Congresswoman Carol Miller
Karel Komárek, KKCG, Founder & Chairman
Katarina Kohlmayer, KKCG, Chief Financial Officer
Michael L. Walsh, US Methanol, Chief Executive Officer
Ericke Cage, President of West Virginia State University
W. Kent Carper, President of the Kanawha County Commission
Rebecca McPhail, President of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association
Karel Komárek, Founder & Chairman of KKCG, commented:
“Our investment in US Methanol is a testament to our belief in the potential of West Virginia's economy. We trust that the plant will benefit the local community and state, creating new jobs and opportunities for growth.”
Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator from West Virginia, commented:
“I want to thank KKCG, Karel [Komárek], and his entire team for their commitment and investment, and the opportunity that he has given us to show what a good partner the state of West Virginia will be.”
Media Contacts:
Jonathan Hoffmann
Group Corporate Communications Director, Spokesperson of KKCG
M: +420 602 633 105
E: jonathan.hoffmann@kkcg.com
August 1, 2023
Congratulations to USM employee, Chase Tarpy who recently celebrated his 5-year service anniversary with US Methanol. On behalf of US Methanol, a service award was presented by Mike Walsh, CEO and Kevin Biehle, COO to express deepest thanks and appreciation for Mr. Tarpy’s continuous efforts and contributions to the Company.
January 5, 2023
Congratulations to USM employee, Roberto Bueno who recently celebrated his 5-year service anniversary with US Methanol. On behalf of US Methanol, a service award was presented by Mike Walsh, CEO and Kevin Biehle, COO to express deepest thanks and appreciation for Mr. Bueno’s continuous efforts and contributions to the Company.
May 13, 2021
Congratulations to USM employees, Angi Hyre and Sandy Hess, who recently celebrated 5-year service anniversaries with US Methanol. On behalf of US Methanol, service awards were presented by Mike Walsh, CEO and Mark Joensen, CFO to express deepest thanks and appreciation for their continuous efforts and contributions to the Company.
October 9, 2020
US Methanol LLC will restart construction to complete the Liberty One Methanol Project
US Methanol is pleased to announce full construction activities will restart in October to complete this exciting project.
In March, reduced construction efforts of the Liberty One Methanol project near Charleston, WV, were implemented in response to the Covid-19 situation. Investor KKCG remained very supportive during this period by providing all essential staffing and funds needed to maintain progress toward a successful project completion and commercial operation.
During the scaled-back construction time, US Methanol continued essential work to prepare the site and equipment for a safe restart of full construction and operational activities. Some major pieces of equipment, that had been purchased or upgraded, were installed.
The remaining work includes installation of additional equipment, piping, electrical, and instrument components.
US Methanol’s commitment to safe operations, protection of the environmental and quality service and product will be achieved by operating a facility that will meet -- or exceed -- all required standards.
US Methanol will hire additional permanent staff this year. Training will be conducted to prepare staff to operate and maintain the new plant.
Throughout the project, US Methanol has maintained ongoing communications with neighbors, community leaders and elected officials. The company will continue to do this as work progresses and is pleased with the support it has received. US Methanol looks forward to becoming a producer of methanol in West Virginia.
Deconstruction, Reconstruction and the Future of Regional Methanol Production
In early 2016, US Methanol LLC, a privately funded company with corporate offices in the capital city of Charleston, West Virginia, chose the Dow Industrial Park in the neighboring community of Institute as its location to build a modern methanol production facility. After a positive and welcome reception from area businesses, citizens, state, city and county officials, Liberty One officially broke ground in September 2017. But before construction began, a deconstruction of sorts had to occur.
us methanol first groundbreaking
Congratulations to US Methanol on its groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s methanol production plant: Liberty One in Institute.
The company will begin construction this fall. The Liberty One is being relocated from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The plant will produce approximately 200,000 metric tons of methanol per year and create approximately 50 permanent jobs.
Planned West Virginia Methanol Plant Gets EDA Loan
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Economic Development Authority has approved a $10 million loan to help develop a methanol production facility west of Charleston.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly/2qCnxMi ) reports the state development authority gave preliminary approval for the loan to US Methanol to purchase machinery and equipment for the planned Liberty One Methanol plant.
US Methanol Chief Commercial Officer Brad Gunn says the plant is expected to create about 350 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent jobs. It is the first developed by the California-based startup.
Howard Swint: US Methanol can lead state’s new chemical age
U.S. Methanol’s decision to relocate a methanol production plant from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Institute underscores West Virginia’s ability to compete in the global chemical industry.
Its decision making process for site selection could serve as a textbook example of how our area’s natural gas feedstock creates competitive advantage.
Chemical Plant Expected to Bring 60 Jobs to Kanawha County
A chemical manufacturing startup is planning to build a methanol production facility in Kanawha County next year. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced Tuesday that California-based US Methanol will move a production facility to Institute and create more than 60 permanent positions.