China Dimethyl Carbonate Prices Rise 12.03% in late August 2026

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) prices in China surged in August as upstream tightening and strategic buying ahead of the battery season shifted demand from muted domestic activity to stronger merchant interest. August trading was quiet, but activity intensified as a methanol squeeze constrained feedstock and electrolyte buyers stockpiled ahead of Sep–Oct. Exports faced headwinds from weak coatings and adhesives demand and freight surcharges, forcing suppliers to weigh higher landed costs against firmer spot demand from electrolyte makers and traders. Demand was bifurcated: the battery/electrolyte segment remained the principal anchor, with buyers accumulating feedstock. In contrast, coatings/adhesives demand stayed weak, dampening broader downstream uptake. Traders provided moderate support through orders, though freight surcharges trimmed export margins. Methanol supply tightness coexisted with softer methanol futures and rising coal-based production costs, underpinning price firmness despite subdued downstream pull. The near-term outlook for DMC remains stable to firm, with upside capped by freight costs and lagging non-battery demand, and potential volatility if feedstock or shipping conditions shift.