Dichloromethane Market

The global dichloromethane market is expected to experience an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in market volume to 822K tons and market value to $733M by the end of 2030. Consumption, production, import, and export data from 2012 to 2022 is analyzed, revealing trends in major consuming and producing countries such as China, the United States, and Germany. The report also highlights average annual growth rates, import and export prices, and key players in the market.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for dichloromethane worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 822K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $733M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

In 2022, approx. 798K tons of dichloromethane (methylene chloride) were consumed worldwide; with a decrease of -3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the consumption volume increased by 1.8% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 1.3M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global dichloromethane market size totaled $649M in 2022, rising by 4.6% against 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). In general, consumption showed a perceptible curtailment. Global consumption peaked at $943M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (225K tons) remains the largest dichloromethane consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, dichloromethane consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (90K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Japan (42K tons), with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to -3.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-7.2% per year) and Japan (-5.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($121M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($55M). It was followed by Turkey.

In China, the dichloromethane market decreased by an average annual rate of -3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (-8.4% per year) and Turkey (+5.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of dichloromethane per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (488 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (467 kg per 1000 persons) and Turkey (363 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +17.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded decline in production of dichloromethane (methylene chloride), which decreased by -3.1% to 819K tons in 2022. Overall, production showed a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 2.2% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 1.2M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, dichloromethane production dropped modestly to $551M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 21%. Global production peaked at $856M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of dichloromethane production was China (382K tons), comprising approx. 47% of total volume. Moreover, dichloromethane production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (121K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (71K tons), with an 8.7% share.

In China, dichloromethane production increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-6.3% per year) and Germany (-5.7% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

In 2022, global dichloromethane imports reduced to 371K tons, falling by -14.3% against the year before. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 14%. Global imports peaked at 433K tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, dichloromethane imports reached $379M in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 +56.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 49%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

India (34K tons) and Turkey (32K tons) represented roughly 18% of total imports in 2022. Canada (18K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 4.9% share, followed by Brazil (4.6%). The following importers - South Korea (15K tons), Indonesia (14K tons), the United Arab Emirates (13K tons), Italy (12K tons), Nigeria (12K tons), Spain (11K tons), Vietnam (11K tons), Thailand (11K tons) and the UK (10K tons) - together made up 30% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +18.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest dichloromethane importing markets worldwide were Turkey ($30M), India ($26M) and Brazil ($23M), with a combined 21% share of global imports. Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria, Thailand, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Among the main importing countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +15.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 dichloromethane import price amounted to $1,022 per ton, picking up by 23% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, dichloromethane import price increased by +80.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain 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 Brazil ($1,317 per ton), while Canada ($250 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+8.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride)

Global dichloromethane exports contracted to 392K tons in 2022, waning by -13.2% compared with 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at 452K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, dichloromethane exports rose modestly to $349M in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +64.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 59%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China represented the key exporter of dichloromethane (methylene chloride) in the world, with the volume of exports resulting at 157K tons, which was near 40% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (62K tons), the United States (39K tons), France (32K tons) and South Korea (19K tons), together making up a 39% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (14K tons), India (14K tons), Japan (12K tons) and Russia (10K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dichloromethane (methylene chloride) exports, with a CAGR of +17.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, India (+5.8%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.2%) and South Korea (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Japan and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-2.7%), Germany (-4.5%) and Russia (-7.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+30 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Russia (-4 p.p.), the United States (-5.7 p.p.) and Germany (-14.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest dichloromethane supplying countries worldwide were China ($111M), Germany ($67M) and France ($39M), together accounting for 62% of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +19.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average dichloromethane export price stood at $892 per ton in 2022, surging by 20% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, dichloromethane export price increased by +79.7% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 50% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($1,220 per ton), while Japan ($705 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+5.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform