Wednesday 13 January 2021 The Caribbean Gas Chemical Limited (CGCL) plant located on the Union Industrial Estate, La Brea. PHOTO BY JEFF MAYERS - The Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd (CGCL) di-methyl ether (DME) plant in La Brea has started commercial operations. In a release Tuesday, CGCL said the plant was commissioned (handed over to operators) on December 18 and commercial operations began shortly after. “This landmark accomplishment confirms the company’s readiness to produce methanol, safely and reliably and maintain stable operations, having conducted the relevant testing to ensure the plant’s capability to function at its nameplate capacity of 1,000,000 tons per year,” the release said. DME is a diesel alternative and also used in the chemical industry as an aerosol propellant.