It is a plausible scenario to assign methanol (CH_₃OH) a central role in supplying the chemical industry of the future. Already today, methanol plays an important role in the chemical industry, being one of the most established commodities.

CCU-based process route for production of methanol includes production of hydrogen via electrolysis, CO_₂ capture from the atmosphere or from industrial point sources, and the hydrogenation reaction. Electricity demand for these processes is represented by red arrows. Above the arrow, the specific energy demand is stated, below, the contribution of the process to the total electricity demand of 1 t of methanol is stated. Purification and compression of hydrogen are neglected. For CO_₂ hydrogenation, a complete reaction is assumed.

When fossil feedstock is used, the fossil-based embedded carbon contained in chemicals and materials is emitted to the atmosphere at their end of life, assuming complete oxidation (e.g. through combustion or (bio)degradation).

When using CCU-based feedstock to replace the fossil feedstock, at the end of life, no additional carbon (or CO₂, respectively) is emitted to the air because it was captured from the air (or from point sources) before through carbon capture. Only the electricity demand for CCU-based feedstock production causes CO₂ emissions.