The new technology of formic acid production from methanol is developed. Methanol oxidation into formaldehyde in a tubular reactor with iron-molybdenum catalyst is carried out at the first stage similarly to existing technology of formalin production, Formaldehyde is oxidized into formic acid in a tubular reactor with an appropriate vanadia-titania catalyst at the second stage. Mathematical modeling of the process second stage is performed on basis of the detailed kinetic model. Design parameters and performance of large-scale multitubular reactors were determined and reproduced in the constructed pilot plant with a capacity of 2-3 kg of formic acid per hour. Process feasibility was confirmed by operation of the pilot plant. Formic acid yield at the second stage was shown to be 87-88%. The technology is ready for further scaling up to industrial level. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.