A POTENTIAL solution to the world's cleaner fuel demands is a step closer, thanks to Synetix.

The Teesside company has joined forces with Methanex in New Zealand to build a materials demonstration unit, which enables methanol to be produced from natural gas on a larger scale and cheaper.

The unit, in New Zealand, is expected to be operating by November.

It will be used by the world's car manufacturers as a way of developing new fuels for future zero emission vehicles.