Methanex (NASDAQ:MEOH – Get Free Report) and Ecolab (NYSE:ECL – Get Free Report) are both materials companies, but which is the superior business? Methanex has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and Ecolab has raised its dividend for 33 consecutive years. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Methanex 2.07% 11.35% 4.34% Ecolab 12.57% 22.72% 8.71%Institutional & Insider Ownership73.5% of Methanex shares are owned by institutional investors. The company operates through three segments: Global Industrial; Global Institutional & Specialty; and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences. Its Global Institutional & Specialty segment provides specialized cleaning and sanitizing products to the foodservice, hospitality, lodging, government and education, and retail industries.