Chloromethane And Chloroethane Market

The article provides an in-depth analysis of the global chloromethane and chloroethane market, predicting an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecasted to expand with a CAGR of +2.0% in volume and +3.4% in value from 2022 to 2030, reaching 20M tons and $63.8B respectively by the end of 2030. Consumption and production trends, key importing and exporting countries, and price variations are discussed in detail, highlighting growth rates and fluctuations observed over the years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 20M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $63.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) And Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride)

In 2022, consumption of chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride) decreased by -0.1% to 17M tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the consumption volume increased by 6.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 17M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global chloromethane and chloroethane market size shrank to $48.8B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $49.4B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (4.1M tons), the United States (2.3M tons) and India (1.7M tons), with a combined 48% share of global consumption. Russia, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, the UK, France, Japan, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chloromethane and chloroethane markets worldwide were Italy ($5.9B), Thailand ($4.3B) and India ($4.3B), together comprising 30% of the global market. South Korea, China, Japan, Turkey, Russia, the UK, Spain, the United States, France and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 46%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +9.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of chloromethane and chloroethane per capita consumption in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (8.6 kg per person), South Korea (8.6 kg per person) and Italy (8.5 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +7.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) And Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride)

Global chloromethane and chloroethane production reached 17M tons in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 6.7%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 17M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chloromethane and chloroethane production dropped modestly to $48.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $58.6B. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (4.1M tons), the United States (2.3M tons) and India (1.7M tons), with a combined 48% share of global production. Russia, Turkey, Italy, South Korea, the UK, France, Japan, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) And Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride)

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride), when their volume decreased by -5.7% to 110K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 117K tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, chloromethane and chloroethane imports rose significantly to $125M in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +31.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the three major importers of chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride), namely France, the UK and Belgium, represented more than half of total import. Italy (9K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with an 8.2% share, followed by Sweden (6.9%), the United States (6.3%) and Germany (5.1%).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +82.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest chloromethane and chloroethane importing markets worldwide were France ($30M), the UK ($20M) and Belgium ($16M), with a combined 54% share of global imports. Italy, Sweden, the United States and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

The United States, with a CAGR of +81.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chloromethane and chloroethane import price amounted to $1,130 per ton, surging by 18% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($1,239 per ton), while Germany ($777 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) And Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride)

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride), which increased by 4.5% to 126K tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 22%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, chloromethane and chloroethane exports skyrocketed to $131M in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +50.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (88K tons) was the largest exporter of chloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride), achieving 70% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the United States (18K tons), France (9.4K tons) and China (7.8K tons), together creating a 28% share of total exports.

Exports from Germany increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, China (+20.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, China emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +20.8% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-4.5%) and the United States (-4.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Germany (+26 p.p.) and China (+4.9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of France (-9.4 p.p.) and the United States (-19 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Germany ($102M) remains the largest chloromethane and chloroethane supplier worldwide, comprising 78% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($9.1M), with a 7% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 6.9% share.

In Germany, chloromethane and chloroethane exports expanded at an average annual rate of +10.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-7.4% per year) and France (-4.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chloromethane and chloroethane export price amounted to $1,046 per ton, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($1,155 per ton), while the United States ($510 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+2.9%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform