The National Automobile Union has urged the government to end the ban on methyl antifreeze production for vehicles. A letter from NAS President Anton Shaparin to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin notes that methanol based antifreeze remains in use and remains accessible to marginalized buyers, underscoring ongoing activity in the market.
The appeal also calls for support for methanol producers by legalizing cleaners that use methyl alcohol, arguing that legalization would boost demand and expand the market for cleaner products.
Izvestia quotes the letter, saying that current export channels for Russian methanol are nearly blocked by limited domestic throughput. Producers are forced to offer products to Asian markets at minimal prices to keep plants running, the report states.
It is recalled that methanol based windshield washer fluid was banned on July 1, 2000 following Decree No. 4 issued by Chief Physician Gennady Onishchenko in May of that year, due to concerns about safety of methanol based cleaners for the general public. The justification cited concerns about public hygiene and the growing number of socially vulnerable individuals without stable housing, which contributed to the decision to prohibit the production and sale of methanol containing windshield washer fluids from that date.
On the practical side, methanol is valued for its low cost, ability to resist freezing in very cold temperatures, and minimal odor. This contrasts with isopropyl alcohol, which is more expensive, tends to thicken around minus five degrees Celsius, and carries a stronger odor.
Za Rulem, a highly respected automotive publication in Russia, has expressed support for lifting the ban on methanol based windshield cleaners. The publication argues that such fluids can provide drivers with clear visibility in cold weather while keeping costs low for motorists.