Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend and Forecast

Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Dimethyl Carbonate in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend for the Q1 of 2024

Asia

Following the global trends, the Asian dimethyl carbonate market was also influenced by its feedstock methanol. In China, a marginal improvement in the in-house demand for dimethyl carbonate was well reflected in the modest increase compared to the previous quarters. The limited influx of raw materials in the region, particularly from the US, limited the operational rates of the products and thus created a gap between demand and supply of the commodity.

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The uptick can also be attributed to a slight improvement in the overall cost of production, influenced by the hike in the prices of crude oil and feedstock chemicals. The market outlook, thus, throughout the quarter, remained positive, with a mild trading atmosphere and favorable operator sentiment. The sentiments of the market further improved by the increasing trading activities in between the Asian countries as they looked forward to revamping their industrial growth.

Europe

In Europe, the disruption of the Red Sea and Suez Canal routes posed challenges like those faced in other regions. However, disruptions in these trading channels not only limited the region's imports but also restricted the market's trading potential.

Due to these challenges, European traders looked forward to the producers in the Atlantic Basin, mitigating potential shortages. Additionally, due to these challenges, the cost of transportation increased by several folds, adhering to a significant impact on the pricing trajectory of dimethyl carbonate. Further, the domestic demand outlook for the chemical maintained its stagnant stance and helped in stabilizing its price trajectory during the first quarter of 2024.

North America

In North America, the Panama Canal's reduced capacity of export and import due to record low water levels has disrupted overall trade flows of feedstock methanol, which created ripples in the pricing patterns of dimethyl carbonate. Initially, authorities imposed a 50% reduction in vessel allowance, later scaled back to 33% below normal levels despite water conservation efforts.

The major effect of this was seen in the shipments leaving the ports for Asian countries. Further, the interest of the domestic downstream industries also remained lukewarm throughout the quarter, offering only limited support to the dimethyl carbonate market. A buildup in inventories further prompted the traders to opt for destocking activities, hampering the overall dynamics of the dimethyl carbonate price trend.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Dimethyl Carbonate is estimated to swindle with the fluctuating prices of feedstock methanol and rising disruptions in the trading routes due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend for October-December of 2023

Asia

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Asian price trend for dimethyl carbonate, particularly in China, witnessed a pattern of fluctuating prices with an overall downward trajectory. The quarter started with a factory price of 4,333 RMB/ton in October, reflecting a weak market volatility and a declining trend due to subdued downstream demand and cooling trading activities. Following the Double Festival, the market saw a decrease in price to around 4,100-4,300 RMB/ton by mid-October, with further dips to approximately 3,950-4,000 RMB/ton.

Despite a brief recovery in late October and November, with prices marginally increasing to 4,233 RMB/ton, the market could not sustain this uptrend. The recovery was halted by limited downstream demand and an oversupply, leading to a stabilization and then a decline in prices.

By the end of December, the factory price reference fell to 4,066 RMB/ton, with market prices ranging between 3,800-4,150 RMB/ton, indicating a continued weak demand and an oversupplied market. This period in the Asian dimethyl carbonate market was characterized by a struggle to balance supply with hesitant demand amidst broader economic uncertainties.

Europe

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Europe's dimethyl carbonate price trend continued to face challenges, mirroring the bearish sentiment observed in the previous quarter. The market was primarily characterized by sluggish demand from key downstream sectors like electrolyte solvents and other end-use industries. The economic backdrop of high inflation and rising interest rates further exacerbated the situation, leading to cautious purchasing behavior among consumers. The eurozone economy's contraction and a decline in consumer spending due to higher borrowing costs and inflation pressures continued to dampen business sentiments.

Additionally, manufacturing activities in both the services and manufacturing sectors showed signs of contraction, reflecting in the subdued demand for dimethyl carbonate. The electric car sector and the global electric vehicle battery market remained sluggish, contributing to the overall bearish market trend. By the end of the quarter, the dimethyl carbonate market in Europe was marked by continued low demand and cautious market movements.

North America

The North American dimethyl carbonate price trend in the fourth quarter of 2023 exhibited a mixed pricing trend, continuing from the patterns observed in the third quarter. The market saw moderate demand with consumers focusing on long-term orders amidst a cautious economic environment. Early in the quarter, material availability was sufficient, but the market dynamics shifted as the economy showed signs of improvement, as indicated by the rise in industrial manufacturing output to its highest level in months.

However, the battery manufacturing sector remained lackluster, reflecting the broader challenges in the electric vehicle market. The global electric vehicle battery market also continued to experience tepid demand, impacting the overall market sentiments for dimethyl carbonate in North America. The quarter ended with mixed signals, combining cautious optimism in some sectors with persistent challenges in others.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the global price trend for dimethyl carbonate is forecasted to exhibit the mixed trend in 2024. The major reasons for the same will be seen in the complicated demand dynamics from the downstream industries.

Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend for the July- September of 2023

Asia

The dimethyl carbonate price trend adopted a bearish trend in the third quarter of 2023 as the market fought with fluctuations in the cost of production, rising levels of inventories, and dropping demand from the downstream industries.

Additionally, the traders noticed a shift in consumer preferences as they moved towards the alternatives of dimethyl carbonate available in the market. On the other hand, the influx of higher supply volumes from both domestic and overseas industries prompted the trading sector to take on destocking activities, which lowered the inclination of the dimethyl carbonate price graph.

Europe

In Europe, the dimethyl carbonate market experienced sluggish demand as the rate of inquiries and number of offtakes from the downstream solvent and batteries industries in both in-house and international markets declined. Additionally, the manufacturing industries seem to be losing in the battle with escalating energy prices and fluctuating costs of raw materials. The direct consumers of dimethyl carbonate also lowered their appetite as their spending budgets were challenged by the rising pressure of inflation and soaring rates of interest charged by the banking sector.

North America

The trajectory of dimethyl carbonate price trend in the third quarter of 2023 remained uncertain as the oscillations in the key driver segment of the market led to fluctuations in the prices. Since the advent of the quarter, the traders noticed the reluctance of consumers to place bulk and long-term orders. Along with this, the investors in the region were also skeptical of the changing dynamics of the market under the influence of rising inflation.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price trend of Dimethyl Carbonate are estimated to showcase limited movement in the upcoming quarters due to the wavering trend adopted by the downstream industries in terms of demand and rising inflationary pressure.

Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Asia

The Dimethyl Carbonate prices remained on the declining trajectory for most of the first half of 2023. The primary reason was the decline in cost support from feedstock materials and other upstream sectors. The upstream costs decreased, and the downstream demands also remained dull, causing the Dimethyl Carbonate prices to plunge throughout the said period. Overall, bearish market sentiments were observed.

Europe

The European Dimethyl Carbonate market witnessed mixed price trend during the said period. As the European markets were still struggling with high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, the automotive sector was almost in a slump from the past year. Because of the decreased demands from the downstream sectors, the Dimethyl Carbonate prices declined throughout the first quarter. But as the quarters shifted, the market sentiment took a 180-degree turn; since the inflation effects started subsiding and the markets started recovering, a sharp incline in downstream demands from EV and other automotive sectors was witnessed. This pushed the price sentiments up, and an incline in Dimethyl Carbonate prices was observed in the second quarter.

North America

The North American Dimethyl Carbonate market mimicked the trend as observed in its European counterpart. Prices fluctuated upwards in the first quarter and shifted south in the second quarter. The market was driven by downstream demands from battery, EV, and other automotive sectors. Overall, fluctuating price patterns were observed.

Analyst insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Dimethyl Carbonate market is expected to continue fluctuating given the uncertainties in the downstream demand and global economic condition.

Dimethyl Carbonate Price Trend for the Second Half of 2022

Asia

The price trend for dimethyl carbonate showcased an uneven trend as the market activities remained weak in the third and fourth quarters of 2022. The prices of dimethyl carbonate suffered from the high inflation rates and power rationing in the domestic market. In addition to this, in the fourth quarter, the declining sales trend in the electric vehicle market and further cancellation of EV subsidies caused the battery manufacturers to refrain from buying excess stocks. The price trend of dimethyl carbonate, affected by all the aforementioned conditions, declined in the Asia-Pacific region.

Europe

The market for dimethyl carbonate declined in the European region as the holiday season decreased the economic and commercial activities in the region. The market also witnessed high inflation rates and suppressed demand from the end-user industries. With rising inflation rates, the operational and energy production costs also inclined, which negatively impacted the market dynamics.

North America

The North American region was stagnant in terms of dimethyl carbonate prices. The traders restocked the product to avoid any disruptions due to hurricanes. The production costs, upstream demand, and Russian crude oil supplies were uncertain along with the slowdown in the EV sector. The competition from the European market also played a huge role in keeping the price trend of dimethyl carbonate on the negative side.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the prices of Dimethyl carbonate are expected to decline in the upcoming quarter. The low demand from the EV sector and the wait-and-see approach followed by consumers in the middle of rising inflation will affect the price trend for dimethyl carbonate negatively.

For the Second Quarter of 2022

Asia

The Chinese domestic dimethyl carbonate market displayed a negative trend in April 2022. After the removal of covid restrictions, the domestic market was organised and put into operation and the market gained slightly in May.

However, due to the weak downstream demand and high-cost inflation, the market declined marginally. Dimethyl carbonate's factory pricing during the second quarter was roughly 5000-5300 RMB/MT. In June, the market was cautious, there were few transactions, and the downstream demand for dimethyl carbonate was still low.

For the First Quarter of 2022

Asia

During the first quarter of 2022, dimethyl carbonate prices varied in the Asian market due to changing feedstock methanol prices. Due to China's zero-covid policy, dimethyl carbonate prices in the Chinese market fell, while demand from the automotive sector remained stable.

However, prices grew in India due to rising demand for electric vehicles in the automotive industry, particularly in the second quarter. Supply chain disruptions and rising crude oil prices had a greater impact on raw material supplies and dimethyl carbonate manufacturing costs in the region.

Europe

Dimethyl carbonate prices rose in the European market because of rising demand for downstream electric vehicles, which raised demand for Di-Methyl Carbonate in these industries, affecting prices in the first quarter of 2022.

The region's production rates were hampered by high energy prices during the quarter. Methanol feedstock prices, on the other hand, remained constant in the market. As a result of the uncertainty in product supply to the market, prices in Q1 increased. In addition, disruptions in the supply chain, particularly in March following the war in the East-European area, increased the value of the chemical in the local market.

North America

In the first quarter of 2022, dimethyl carbonate prices in the North American market continued to rise. During Q1, the price of the feedstock Methanol rose in the domestic market, raising the cost of Di-Methyl Carbonate’s manufacturing. In Q1 2022, the cleaning agent industries' demand remained stable.

Cleaner energy efforts raised demand for EV vehicles after the July 26 Glassgow meeting, which increased the chemical’s demand in the US market. After inflation in crude oil prices, which was influenced by the war between Russia and Ukraine, the values grew even more in the second part of the quarter.

For the Fourth Quarter of 2021

Asia

Due to China's tight enforcement of environmental protection policies, hefty rates, and restricted availability of freight boats in the area, DMC attitudes in the Asia Pacific market have been mixed. The operational rates at Chinese manufacturing facilities declined dramatically in the first half owing to the simultaneous restriction on energy usage and power rationing, resulting in a supply surplus and increased raw material costs.

In the second half, after the power rationing, dimethyl carbonate prices diverged from its reliance on raw material costs, with offers in the domestic market plummeting. The bids fell as a result, and FOB Shenzhen negotiations for DMC resolved at 1570 USD/MT towards the end of the quarter.

Europe

The DMC market in the European domestic market saw conflicting feelings throughout the fourth quarter of 2021. Due to high freight prices and restricted availability of freight vessels, the offers dwindled after reaching an all-time high. Domestic operational loads were reduced as a result of Europe's prolonged energy crisis. Demand remained strong, especially following the COP 26 summit, when players scrambled to secure long-term supply of electrolytes for electric vehicle batteries.

North America

Despite the fact that emotions in the US domestic market were strong throughout the quarter, the DMC market had a mixed trend in the fourth quarter of 2021. Since the COP 26 Glasgow meeting, demand has risen dramatically as players have engaged in the EV sector's greener energy projects. As a result, the demand forecast exceeds the domestic supply potential. The shortfall was closed once Chinese deliveries were restarted, despite the high freight costs providing enough cost support for imported materials. In the US domestic market, however, bids for the chemical remained buoyant due to strong demand.

Methyl Carbonate For First, Second and Third Quarters of 2021

Asia

Raw material methanol prices rose in the Asia Pacific region during the third quarter, followed by stable offtakes from downstream sectors despite tight supply conditions. Methanol's increasing momentum in Asia reached a new peak in the latter week of September, with China and India leading the way. Furthermore, because methanol is mostly produced in China via the coal route, steady increases in coal costs since the beginning of Q3 have put upward pressure on its fundamentals in the regional market.

Participants procured methanol cargoes from the Middle East during the regional scarcity, resulting in a large price increase in the nation. Dimethyl carbonate prices in India continued to rise in Q3 due to restricted availability of the commodity in the local market, primarily in Northeast Asia. Methanol prices in India increased little in the third quarter, rising from 422 USD/MT to 449 USD/MT.

Europe

Methanol demand remained high in Q3 of 2021, owing to a scarcity of raw materials and restricted local output. Imports from the United States were limited since a key plant, YCI, did not begin manufacturing methanol until the third quarter. Furthermore, OCIS's facility in the Netherlands was operating at full capacity.

In September, dimethyl carbonate prices rose to 475 USD/MT CFR Hamburg. Methanol price is likely to climb further in Q4 as a result of restricted international imports and growing demand. Several participants, however, believe that rising imports from the United States will help to stabilise supplies.

North America

During Q3 2021, the general pricing estimate for methanol, the raw material for dimethyl carbonate, increased significantly in the North American area. Hurricane Ida, which made landfall on August 29th in Louisiana, caused the shutdown of leading industrial plants including Methanex's Geismar plants with a capacity of 1 million MT/year and YCI's St. James Methanol facility with a capacity of 1.7 million MT/year.

Methanex's Geismar facility was shut down for the most of September, resulting in a tight supply for the quarter. Methanol spot prices in the first week of October were 610 USD/MT Ex-Works Louisiana, up 12.5 percent from the end of August.

For the Year 2020

Asia

The Asian methanol market remained clouded by uncertainty, despite lowering Middle Eastern supplies. Despite the lifting of lockdown restrictions in various economies at the end of Q2 2020, export volumes to Southeast Asia remained to be affected by the pandemic. Slowing demand from the downstream formaldehyde and solvent industries, which account for the majority of regional demand, resulted in rising stockpiles at Indian, Thai, and Singapore ports.

Methanol spot prices in China hit new lows in June, owing to a surge in import cargoes that pushed margins further lower. Although the country appears to be recovering from the effects of the pandemic, downstream demand has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.

Europe

The second wave of COVID-19 infections in Europe interrupted the supply of various industrial and imported chemicals, resulting in a feedstock chemical scarcity, which drove up the price of Ethylene Carbonate, another important feedstock of dimethyl carbonate. In October, Exxonmobil's Ethylene producing operation in Scotland caught fire, forcing it to shut down for several days.

This resulted in a greater scarcity of upstream ethylene, which is needed to make downstream ethylene oxide and carbonate. Meanwhile, the European Commission said that it has invested heavily in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries in Europe. By 2024, this investment is expected to propel Europe to second place in battery manufacture. Because EC is mostly utilised in Li-ion batteries, demand is expected to increase.

North America

Coronavirus harmed the North American methanol industry's Q2 demand outlook, owing to unfavourable dynamics in the US market. Dimethyl carbonate prices on the US Gulf Coast fell to nearly four-year lows as the US continued to dominate the globe in terms of infection rates.

While downstream demand remained basically unchanged from April, reduced gasoline blending owing to weaker demand fundamentals worsened the price decline. Several US companies, like as Celanese and LyondellBasell, lowered their annual capex estimates and postponed potential facility expansions due to the impact of chronic Methanol market dullness.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Dimethyl Carbonate. Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.