NASDAQ: MEOH US $47.56
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Methanex Reports Stronger EBITDA In the Fourth Quarter

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA—(Marketwire – Jan. 30, 2013) – For the fourth quarter of 2012, Methanex (TSX:MX)(NASDAQ:MEOH)(SANTIAGO:Methanex) reported Adjusted EBITDAof $119 million and Adjusted net incomeof $61 million ($0.64 per share on a diluted basis1). This compares with Adjusted EBITDAof $104 million and Adjusted net incomeof $36 million ($0.38 per share on a diluted basis1) for the third quarter of 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Methanex reported Adjusted EBITDAof $429 million and Adjusted net incomeof $180 million ($1.90 per share on a diluted basis1). This compares with Adjusted EBITDAof $427 million and Adjusted net incomeof $182 million ($1.93 per share on a diluted basis1) for the year ended December 31, 2011.

As a result of continuing challenges related to securing a sustainable natural gas supply in Chile, Methanex recorded a non-cash before-tax $297 million asset impairment charge ($193 million after-tax) to write down the carrying value of its Chile assets. Including the asset impairment charge related to the carrying value of its Chile assets, Methanex reported a net loss attributable to Methanex shareholders for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $140 million ($1.49 loss per share on a diluted basis). For the year ended December 31, 2012, Methanex reported a net loss attributable to Methanex shareholders of $68 million ($0.73 loss per share on a diluted basis).

John Floren, President and CEO of Methanex commented, “Methanol prices increased during the fourth quarter and this led to higher Adjusted EBITDA compared to last quarter. Entering the first quarter, methanol demand has continued to be healthy and the pricing environment has been relatively stable. The longer term outlook for the industry looks very attractive with demand growth expected to significantly outpace new capacity additions over the next few years.”

Mr. Floren added, “A key area of focus for me as the new CEO will be the successful execution of our value-creating growth projects in Louisiana and New Zealand. While we are disappointed with our progress on securing natural gas in Chile, these new initiatives in Louisiana and New Zealand have the potential to add up to three million tonnes of capacity over the next few years which will enhance supply to our customers and significantly improve cash generation for shareholders.”

Mr. Floren concluded, “With over US$700 million of cash on hand, an undrawn credit facility, a robust balance sheet, and strong cash flow generation, we are well positioned to invest in the Louisiana project, New Zealand expansion plans and other strategic growth opportunities and continue to deliver on our commitment to return excess cash to shareholders.”

A conference call is scheduled for January 31, 2013 at 12:00 noon ET (9:00 am PT) to review these fourth quarter results. To access the call, dial the Conferencing operator ten minutes prior to the start of the call at (416) 340-8527, or toll free at (877) 240-9772. A playback version of the conference call will be available for three weeks at (905) 694-9451, or toll free at (800) 408-3053. The passcode for the playback version is 6328000. Presentation slides summarizing Q4-12 results and a simultaneous audio-only webcast of the conference call can be accessed from our website at www.methanex.com. The webcast will be available on the website for three weeks following the call.

Methanex is a Vancouver-based, publicly traded company and is the world’s largest supplier of methanol to major international markets. Methanex shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the trading symbol “MX”, on the NASDAQ Global Market in the United States under the trading symbol “MEOH”, and on the foreign securities market of the Santiago Stock Exchange in Chile under the trading symbol “Methanex”. Methanex can be visited online at www.methanex.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION WARNING

This Fourth Quarter 2012 press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to us and the chemical industry. Refer to Forward-Looking Information Warning in the attached Fourth Quarter 2012 Management’s Discussion and Analysis for more information.

(1) Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted diluted net income per common share are non-GAAP measures which do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. These measures represent the amounts that are attributable to Methanex Corporation shareholders and are calculated by excluding amounts associated with the 40% non-controlling interest in the methanol facility in Egypt, the mark-to-market impact of items which impact the comparability of our earnings from one period to another, which currently include only the mark-to-market impact of share-based compensation as a result of changes in our share price, Louisiana project relocation expenses and charges and asset impairment charges. Refer to the Additional Information – Supplemental Non-GAAP Measures section of the attached Interim Report for the three months ended December 31, 2012 for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.

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For further information, contact:

Sandra Daycock
Director, Investor Relations
Methanex Corporation
604-661-2600

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