Coal India (CIL) is planning to set up a Coal based methanol plant in West Bengal. The company intends to diversify into new ‘Coal to Chemical business’ domain by converting the high calorific value, low ash thermal coal into chemical.

In order to implement the new strategy, premises of its existing Dankuni Coal Complex in West Bengal has been identified as the location for setting up a coal to methanol complex by using the good quality coal from Raniganj coalfield. The methanol plant would be set up through coal gasification route.

Coal India is the world’s largest coal mining company. It also produces non-coking coal and coking coal of various grades for diverse applications.