Methanol Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2021 - 2026)

Market Overview

The global methanol market size was estimated at 83.8 million metric ton in 2020, and the market is projected to register a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period (2021-2026).

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the global economy. Owing to the several unknown elements pertaining to the outbreak and as the situation is continuing to disclose, it became a challenging factor to evaluate the future. It has exposed several challenges for various industries. As most of the oil-producing countries were locked down to halt the COVID-19 spread, many uncertainties and constraints have hindered the petrochemical markets. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, and various other major oil producers were highly impacted. Since the petrochemical industry plays a key role in the manufacture of numerous products, the production of methol is also a part of it. However, due to the shutdown of these industries. The market for methanol was also highly impacted.

• Over the short term, one of the major factors driving the market studied is the increasing demand for methanol-based fuel. In reducing carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbon emission, methanol tends to be more preferable compared to conventional fuel gasoline. Due to this, methanol is now getting used as an alternative to conventional in major economic countries of North America and Europe.
• On the flipside, hazardous impacts on health as a result of exposure to methanol are expected to hinder the growth of the market.
• Formaldehyde dominated the market and is expected to grow at a healthy rate during the forecast period, owing to the increasing applications in the construction, automotive, and personal care industries.
• Asia-Pacific dominated the market across the world, with the largest consumption from countries such as China and India.

Scope of the Report

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, wood spirit, or wood alcohol, is the simplest form of long series of organic compounds called alcohols. Today, methanol is prepared by directly combining carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. Conventionally, it was produced by the destructive distillation of wood. The market is segmented on the basis of derivatives, end-user industry, and geography. By derivatives, the market is segmented into formaldehyde, methanol-to-olefins/methanol-to-propylene, methyl tert-butyl ether/tertiary amyl methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate, acetic acid, dimethyl ether, methyl methacrylate, methylamines, and other derivatives. By end-user industry, the market is segmented into direct and indirect. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the methanol market in 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done on the basis of volume (million metric ton).

Report scope can be customized per your requirements. Click here.

Key Market Trends

Formaldehyde is Dominating the Overall Methanol Market by Derivatives

• The manufacturing of formaldehyde is the largest application of methanol. Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde and the most commercially important one. It is commonly known as ‘methanal’ (CH2O).
• Formaldehyde includes a wide range of applications in varied sectors. The combination of formaldehyde with different compounds results in varied products, such as urea, phenol, and melamine-formaldehyde resins (UF, PF, and MF resins), polyacetal resins, pentaerythritol, methylenebis(4-phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA).
• These are used in the manufacture of different products applicable in various industries, such as construction (adhesives, paints and coatings, carpet underlay, wood and ply adhesives, wood panels, etc.), automotive (under bonnet components, antifreeze, fuel system, components, brake pads, etc.), consumer products (paper towels, cosmetics, carpeting, furniture, cabinets, solvents, etc.), and healthcare applications (vaccine manufacturing, hard gel capsule manufacturing, pharmaceutical research, etc.).
• The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 60% of the total global consumption of formaldehyde, with China being the leader, by consuming the major proportion of the production. Additionally, the construction industry contributes to over 50% of the total consumption globally.
• However, the presence of formaldehyde in the air, at levels higher than 0.1 parts per million (ppm), may lead to health issues to humans, such as watery eyes, burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, skin irritation, etc. Additionally, higher levels of exposure to formaldehyde concentration may lead to serious diseases like cancer.
• As a result of the aforementioned factors, methanol-based fuel has been driving the methanol market globally, and the market studied is estimated to grow during the forecast period.
• Even though formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing of pressed-wood products, fiberboard, plywood, glues and adhesives, etc., the production of these products has been highly reduced due to the shutdown of manufacturing facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced the consumption on the industrial side.
• However, the consumption trend can be seen as vice versa in the medical industry, as formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing of disinfectants. Due to this reason, the demand for formaldehyde can be seen on the positive side, which somehow tried to balance the growth line of formaldehyde globally.

To understand key trends, Download Sample Report