Methanol Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Report Covers Global Methanol Market Demand & Forecast and is Segmented by Application (Traditional Chemical (Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid, Solvent, Methylamine, Other Traditional Chemicals), Energy Related (Methanol-To-Olefin (MTO), Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), Gasoline Blending, Dimethyl Ether (DME), Biodiesel), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa). The Report Offers Market Sizes and Forecasts in Terms of Volume in Kilo Tons for all the Above Segments.

Methanol Market Size

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Methanol Market Summary
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Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
CAGR (2024 - 2029) > 3.50 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific
Largest Market Asia Pacific
Market Concentration Low

Major Players

Methanol Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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Methanol Market Analysis

The Methanol Market is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 3.5% during the forecast period.

The methanol market is estimated to reach over 92,700 kilo tons by the end of the current year.

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically curtailed industrial activities due to imposed government bans and restrictions in 2020 and the first half of 2021, limiting the growth of the methanol market. The chemical industry was paralyzed due to scarce raw material supply, limited working hours/labor strength, reduced demand, and constrained financials. However, the chemical and petrochemical industries have been on track for recovery since the retraction of the pandemic in mid-2021. The exponential rise in demand for chemicals in end-user sectors continues to exert pressure, which is expected to contribute to the growth of the methanol market.

  • Over the medium term, the expanding petrochemical sector in China, the United States, and other Asia-Pacific countries and the rising demand for methanol-based fuels are the major driving factors augmenting the growth of the market studied. Furthermore, the growing utilization of methanol in producing olefins using MTO propels increased offtakes in the chemical industries.
  • On the other side, the higher preference for ethanol fuel or bioethanol over methanol and the health hazardous impacts associated with it are anticipated to restrain the growth of the target industry over the forecast period.
  • Nevertheless, the use of methanol in new and expanding fuel applications and the growing industrial inclination toward renewable methanol are likely to create lucrative growth opportunities for the market soon.
  • The Asia-Pacific emerged as the largest market for methanol. It is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The dominance of the Asia-Pacific is attributed to the high demand for methanol in China, Japan, and other Southeast Asian countries, expanding chemical and other application sectors.

Methanol Market Trends

Energy-related Applications to Dominate the Market

  • The use of methanol in energy-related applications increased significantly in the past few years. Methanol is widely used in methanol-to-olefins (MTO) transformation reactions, which provides a chance to produce basic petrochemicals (such as ethene, propene, butene, and butadiene) from non-oil resources like coal and natural gas.
  • Methanol is a precursor for producing methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), which is added to gasoline to enhance the octane number by increasing the oxygen content. MTBE leads to the complete combustion of gasoline and, thus, lowers the exhaust of harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, and other emissions from vehicles, reducing air pollution.
  • Methanol has been successfully used to extend gasoline supplies in many gasoline markets worldwide. Adding methanol to the gasoline supply provides non-petroleum alternative energy and a clean-burning, high-octane fuel. According to the Methanol Institute, unlike other alcohols, methanol blending in gasoline has been economical without government subsidies or fuel-blending mandates.
  • Methanol is also used to produce dimethyl ether, which registers significant usage as a fuel substitute, due to its good ignition quality and high cetane number. DME in diesel engines burns very cleanly with no soot. It can be used in diesel engines as a substitute for conventional diesel fuel.
  • Methanol is a crucial starting material for the production of biodiesel, which is viewed as an alternative renewable fuel for crude oil-derived diesel. Methanol is preferred over ethanol for the transesterification reaction due to its superior reactivity with triglycerides and high alkaline dissolution properties.
  • Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel that increases energy security and leads to a lower carbon footprint. It exhibits a higher flash point (100°C minimum) and can be blended with diesel fuel at any proportion; both fuels can be mixed during the fuel supply to vehicles. The environmental benefits of biodiesel had spurred the continued increase in biodiesel production in the historical years, except for 2020, when the pandemic was at large. According to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2022, the production of biodiesel in 2021 recovered, reaching 734 thousand barrels per day (higher than pre-pandemic levels) after showing a slight decrement in 2020. The increasing production trend is likely to increase the share of methanol consumption in biodiesel production during the forecast period.
  • Considering all the abovementioned factors, the use and demand of methanol for energy-related applications are expected to grow in the forecast period.
Biodiesel Production, in thousand barrels per day, Global, 2017-2021

Asia-Pacific Region to Dominate the Market

  • The Asia-Pacific dominated the worldwide market with a significant market share. It is projected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. China alone is the largest producer and consumer of over 60% of the world's methanol, making the country the worldwide leader. In Anyang, Henan Province, China, a 'cutting-edge' carbon dioxide-to-methanol plant has begun production, becoming the world's first commercial-scale facility to manufacture methanol from captured waste carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases.
  • According to the Methanol Institute, methanol powers up to 7 million automobiles in China, contributing to more than 5% of the country's fuel pool. Methanol emits 26% less carbon dioxide than conventional gasoline-powered automobiles, even when generated primarily using coal-based techniques. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced plans to "increase the popularity of methanol automobiles" and study the 'green methanol + methanol cars' concept.
  • In India, NITI Aaayog has designed a strategy to replace 10% of crude imports with methanol alone by 2030. This takes about 30 MT of methanol. Methanol and DME are significantly less expensive than petrol and diesel; India expects to lower its fuel expense by 30% by 2030.
  • Japan is home to some major automotive producers, including Kawasaki, Yamaha, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Suzuki, who are planning to develop vehicles that use methanol as fuel. The National Energy Strategy of Japan focuses on reducing petrol dependency from 50% to 40% by 2030, improving energy efficiency by 30%, and replacing 20% of transport fuel with an alternative fuel, such as methanol, enhancing the demand for the market studied.
  • Singapore is the most recent country to join the ongoing efforts to establish a worldwide infrastructure for producing and distributing methanol as a marine fuel. Singapore, which is already recognized as the world's largest bunkering center for the shipping sector, is set to become the first green e-methanol facility in Southeast Asia, a collaboration between the shipping and fuel industries.
  • All abovementioned factors are likely to fuel the growth of the methanol market in the Asia-Pacific over the forecast period.
Methanol Market - Growth Rate by Region, 2022-2027

Methanol Industry Overview

The methanol market is fragmented, with top players holding insignificant shares to affect market demand individually. Some major players in the market (in no particular order) include SABIC, Proman, Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co. Ltd, Methanex Corporation, and ZPCIR.

Methanol Market Leaders

  1. SABIC

  2. Proman

  3. Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd.

  4. Methanex Corporation

  5. ZPCIR

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Global Methanol Market - Market Concentration.png
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Methanol Market News

  • November 2022: Petronas moved forward with the construction of a new methanol facility, which is slated to add 1.75 million tons of production capacity to the company's already operational 2.4 million tons of methanol production capacity. The project, which is set to complete in March 2023, is located in Bintulu Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • February 2022: Linde announced the expansion of its existing agreement with Celanese Corporation to supply carbon dioxide and hydrogen to the Celanese manufacturing facility in Clear Lake, Texas, to produce methanol. This agreement will help the company to reduce its carbon footprint during its operation, which will contribute to the preservation of the environment, helping the company strengthen its business portfolio.

Methanol Market Report - Table of Contents

  1. 1. INTRODUCTION

    1. 1.1 Study Assumptions

    2. 1.2 Scope of the Study

  2. 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

  3. 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  4. 4. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 4.1 Drivers

      1. 4.1.1 Expanding Petrochemical Sector in China, the United States, and Other Asia-Pacific Countries

      2. 4.1.2 Rising Demand for Methanol-based Fuel

      3. 4.1.3 Increasing Utilization of Methanol in the Production of Olefins Using MTO

    2. 4.2 Restraints

      1. 4.2.1 Usage of Ethanol Fuel or Bioethanol in Comparison to Methanol

      2. 4.2.2 Hazardous Impacts on Health

    3. 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis

    4. 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services

      5. 4.4.5 Degree of Competition

    5. 4.5 Global Methanol Production Capacity by Key Feedstock

    6. 4.6 Technological Snapshot

    7. 4.7 Trade Analysis

    8. 4.8 Price Trends

  5. 5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Volume)

    1. 5.1 By Application

      1. 5.1.1 Traditional Chemical

        1. 5.1.1.1 Formaldehyde

        2. 5.1.1.2 Acetic Acid

        3. 5.1.1.3 Solvent

        4. 5.1.1.4 Methylamine

        5. 5.1.1.5 Other Traditional Chemicals

      2. 5.1.2 Energy Related

        1. 5.1.2.1 Methanol-to-olefin (MTO)

        2. 5.1.2.2 Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE)

        3. 5.1.2.3 Gasoline Blending

        4. 5.1.2.4 Dimethyl Ether (DME)

        5. 5.1.2.5 Biodiesel

    2. 5.2 By Geography

      1. 5.2.1 Asia-Pacific

        1. 5.2.1.1 China

        2. 5.2.1.2 India

        3. 5.2.1.3 Japan

        4. 5.2.1.4 South Korea

        5. 5.2.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific

      2. 5.2.2 North America

        1. 5.2.2.1 United States

        2. 5.2.2.2 Canada

        3. 5.2.2.3 Mexico

      3. 5.2.3 Europe

        1. 5.2.3.1 Germany

        2. 5.2.3.2 United Kingdom

        3. 5.2.3.3 Italy

        4. 5.2.3.4 France

        5. 5.2.3.5 Rest of Europe

      4. 5.2.4 South America

        1. 5.2.4.1 Brazil

        2. 5.2.4.2 Argentina

        3. 5.2.4.3 Rest of South America

      5. 5.2.5 Middle East and Africa

        1. 5.2.5.1 Saudi Arabia

        2. 5.2.5.2 South Africa

        3. 5.2.5.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa

  6. 6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

    1. 6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements

    2. 6.2 Market Share (%) Analysis

    3. 6.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players

    4. 6.4 Company Profiles

      1. 6.4.1 Atlantic Methanol

      2. 6.4.2 BASF SE

      3. 6.4.3 Celanese Corporation

      4. 6.4.4 Coogee

      5. 6.4.5 Enerkem

      6. 6.4.6 Eni SPA

      7. 6.4.7 Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)

      8. 6.4.8 Ineos

      9. 6.4.9 Kingboard Holdings Limited

      10. 6.4.10 Lyondellbasell Industries Holdings BV

      11. 6.4.11 Methanex Corporation

      12. 6.4.12 Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc.

      13. 6.4.13 Mitsui & Co. Ltd

      14. 6.4.14 Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co. Ltd

      15. 6.4.15 OCI NV

      16. 6.4.16 Petroliam Nasional Berhad

      17. 6.4.17 Proman

      18. 6.4.18 Sabic

      19. 6.4.19 ZPCIR

    5. *List Not Exhaustive
  7. 7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

    1. 7.1 Use of Methanol in New and Expanding Fuel Applications

    2. 7.2 Growing Trends Toward Renewable Methanol

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Methanol Industry Segmentation

Methanol is a clear liquid chemical used in thousands of everyday products, including plastics, paints, cosmetics, and fuels. Methanol is also an energy resource used in the marine, automotive, and electricity sectors and an emerging renewable energy resource. Increasingly, methanol's environmental and economic advantages make it an attractive alternative fuel for powering vehicles and ships, cooking food, and heating homes.

The methanol market is segmented by Application (Traditional Chemical (Formaldehyde, Acetic Acid, Solvent, Methylamine, Other Traditional Chemicals), Energy Related (Methanol-to-Olefin (MTO), Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE), Gasoline Blending, Dimethyl Ether (DME), Biodiesel), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa). The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the methanol market in 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done in terms of volume in kilo tons.

By Application
Traditional Chemical
Formaldehyde
Acetic Acid
Solvent
Methylamine
Other Traditional Chemicals
Energy Related
Methanol-to-olefin (MTO)
Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE)
Gasoline Blending
Dimethyl Ether (DME)
Biodiesel
By Geography
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America
United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
United Kingdom
Italy
France
Rest of Europe
South America
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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Methanol Market Research FAQs

The Methanol Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 3.5% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

SABIC, Proman, Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group Co., Ltd., Methanex Corporation and ZPCIR are the major companies operating in the Methanol Market.

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).

In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Methanol Market.

The report covers the Methanol Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Methanol Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The long-term growth prospects for the Methanol Market are a) Growth is expected in energy-related applications like biofuels and clean transportation b) Stringent environmental regulations could favor methanol over traditional fuels c) Technological advancements might increase production efficiency and cost-effectiveness

The major investment trends in the Methanol Market are a) Investments in renewable methanol production facilities b) Research and development on methanol-powered vehicles and ships c) Expansion of methanol refueling infrastructure

Methanol Industry Report

The global methanol market is projected to experience significant growth, primarily driven by the rising demand for methanol in automotive applications across various countries. Influenced by government regulations on fuel standards and emissions, and the availability of methanol refuelling infrastructure, the demand for methanol in the automotive industry is increasing. The methanol market is also witnessing growth due to the increasing demand from the automotive and construction industries, with methanol demonstrating similar efficiency when used in vehicle and aircraft engines compared to other fuels. However, the methanol industry faces challenges from the use of fuel-grade ethanol, which offers various advantages such as low toxicity and a higher octane number. Opportunities for the methanol market lie in the use of methanol as an alternative fuel in marine and manufacturing industries, due to its non-cryogenic nature and lower emissions. The methanol industry is also influenced by the capital-intensive nature of methanol production, with political and environmental challenges posing obstacles to market growth. The Asia-Pacific region dominates the methanol market due to the rapidly increasing consumption of methanol in the construction, automotive, and electronics industries. This market analysis, including methanol market share, size, and revenue growth rate, is provided by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. The methanol analysis includes a market forecast outlook and a historical overview. A sample of this industry analysis is available as a free report PDF download.

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Methanol Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)