For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Methylene Dichloride Price Index in North America fell by 4.7% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weaker market fundamentals through Q2 2025.
• Supply remained stable, with consistent production across domestic facilities. However, excess inventory buildup due to subdued exports and steady output created oversupply conditions.
• The Methylene Dichloride Demand Outlook was mixed. Pharmaceutical sector demand remained steady, but consumption from paints, coatings, and construction sectors was restrained due to economic uncertainty and soft consumer sentiment.
• Export activity to Latin America and Europe remained low, limiting inventory drawdowns. Cost-side pressures were modest, with fluctuations in feedstock methanol prices failing to meaningfully shift overall pricing.
• Overall, the Methylene Dichloride Price Index showed a mild downward trend throughout Q2, driven by supply-demand imbalance and limited international demand.
Why did the Methylene Dichloride Price change in July 2025 in North America?
• Methylene Dichloride prices in North America remained stable to slightly declining during July 2025.
• Ample inventory levels and steady domestic production limited any upward price movement.
• Subdued demand from downstream sectors such as coatings and construction continued to weigh on the market.
Europe
• The Methylene Dichloride Price Index in Europe registered a quarter-over-quarter decline of 1.1%, with varied market activity across the region.
• Supply and production levels remained steady, supported by consistent methanol availability and stable plant operations in Germany and surrounding countries.
• The Methylene Dichloride Demand Outlook stayed soft, with only moderate activity from the pharmaceutical and coatings sectors. Construction sector weakness and cautious automotive output weighed on overall procurement sentiment.
• Export demand across intra-European markets was restrained due to regional economic concerns and high inventory levels. Although geopolitical tensions impacted methanol logistics at times, strategic early procurement helped avoid significant supply shocks.
• The Price Index trended mostly stable with occasional cost-push inflation, especially during late June due to a surge in methanol prices and lower inventory levels.
Why did the Methylene Dichloride Price change in July 2025 in Europe?
• In Europe, Methylene Dichloride prices trended downward in July 2025.
• The decline was driven by a drop in methanol feedstock prices, which eased production costs for local manufacturers.
• Demand from coatings and pharmaceutical sectors remained moderate, failing to support prices.
• Stable supply conditions and high inventory levels across the region further contributed to the bearish pressure.
• Consequently, the Methylene Dichloride Price Index declined, indicating a cost-led correction amid flat market activity.
Asia Pacific (APAC)
• The Methylene Dichloride Price Index in APAC (particularly China) saw a sharp 12.7% quarter-over-quarter decline, indicating substantial bearish pressure.
• Supply remained ample, with industry operating rates around 75–80%. Some units in China reduced loads, but high inventory levels persisted due to weak demand.
• The Methylene Dichloride Demand Outlook was fragile. While seasonal refrigerant demand (R32) offered momentary support, core sectors like coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals showed minimal improvement due to economic sluggishness and the off-season in construction.
• Although export demand rose slightly, especially from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, it failed to meaningfully offset domestic oversupply. Cost trends remained volatile, with declining methanol and liquid chlorine prices influencing short-term production economics.
• Overall, the Price Index trended downward throughout Q2, with temporary rebounds in late May failing to sustain due to fragile fundamentals and market uncertainty.
Why did the Methylene Dichloride Price change in July 2025 in APAC?
• Methylene Dichloride prices in China increased during July 2025.
• The uptick was supported by rising demand from the refrigerators sector, particularly for R32 during its seasonal peak.
• Operating rates at some plants remained limited due to ongoing maintenance, tightening supply conditions.
• Export demand from Southeast Asia and the Middle East picked up, reducing domestic inventories.
• As a result, the Methylene Dichloride Price Index rose, driven by both supply constraints and seasonal demand growth.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American Methylene Dichloride (MDC) market recorded a marginal price decline of 0.06% compared to the previous quarter. The overall market remained largely stable, with steady supply levels and moderate demand from key downstream sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and coatings.
Early in the quarter, balanced supply-demand dynamics and resilient performance in the construction and automotive sectors supported price stability. However, as the quarter progressed, weakening demand in the construction and polyurethane segments, coupled with declining feedstock costs, particularly methanol, applied downward pressure on the Methylene Dichloride market. Manufacturing activity operated at reduced rates, but consistent inventory and restocking behavior helped avoid supply shortages.
Despite lackluster demand in the coatings industry and cautious procurement patterns, demand from the pharma and agrochemical sectors provided some support. The overall market sentiment remained subdued, with buyers concentrating on short-term needs amid ongoing economic uncertainty. The quarter closed with stable, yet soft market conditions, driven by cost dynamics and moderate end-use consumption.
APAC
During Q1 2025, the APAC Methylene Dichloride (MDC) market witnessed a net price decline of 13.8% compared to the previous quarter. The quarter began with a modest price uptick driven by elevated freight costs and robust demand from China’s polyurethane, paints, and coatings sectors. However, this bullish sentiment was short-lived. By late January, MDC prices plunged due to declining feedstock costs, ample supply, and weakened demand ahead of the Lunar New Year. February saw a brief price stabilization, supported by post-holiday restocking and supply disruptions from maintenance shutdowns. Nevertheless, oversupply and subdued downstream activity exerted bearish pressure, prompting producers to cut prices. March displayed volatility—prices first declined due to high inventories, then surged mid-month on maintenance news and recovering refrigerant sector demand, before softening again by month-end amid cautious procurement. Overall, the quarter was characterized by fluctuating market fundamentals, with supply-demand imbalances and external pressures such as geopolitical tensions and seasonal demand shifts shaping the pricing trajectory.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European Methylene Dichloride (MDC) market witnessed a price increase of 4.34% compared to the previous quarter, driven by a mix of stable supply and shifting demand dynamics. Early in the quarter, prices fluctuated slightly due to steady feedstock methanol costs and persistent logistical disruptions at key ports like Hamburg and Rotterdam. Despite challenges, manufacturers maintained consistent output, supported by ample inventories and stable raw material availability. The paints and coatings sector provided steady demand, while the polyurethane and construction sectors showed weakness due to declining new orders and prolonged destocking. Mid-quarter, logistical pressures and rising methanol costs briefly pushed prices higher, though balanced market fundamentals kept volatility in check. Toward the end of the quarter, demand from the pharmaceutical and agrochemical sectors remained resilient, helping stabilize prices despite subdued activity in automotive and coatings. Overall, the market was shaped by stable supply, resilient end-use demand, and cautious buying behavior, contributing to a modest upward price trajectory.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
Methylene Dichloride prices in the U.S. market displayed a dynamic trend during the final quarter of 2024, marked by fluctuations influenced by both stable feedstock costs and shifts in demand. In October, prices declined due to limited downstream demand, particularly from sectors such as pharmaceuticals and paints and coatings. This was further supported by consistent feedstock costs, as Methanol prices remained steady in response to balanced natural gas and coal markets globally.
However, in November, the market sentiment turned cautiously optimistic, driven by a slight increase in domestic demand from the paints and coatings industry. External factors, such as political developments, also fostered a more restrained approach among market participants.
By December, the market experienced a notable surge in prices, fuelled by strong industrial activity and heightened seasonal demand across key sectors like adhesives, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Supply chain challenges and potential labour disruptions further amplified the upward trend, creating a favourable market environment for producers. This evolving landscape highlights the interplay of demand, supply, and external market conditions shaping Methylene Dichloride pricing.
APAC
In Q4 2024, Methylene Dichloride prices in the Chinese market reflected a mix of trends, showcasing both surges and declines driven by shifting market dynamics, however, the prices showcased significant rise when compared to the Q3 2024. In October, prices rose due to increasing feedstock costs, including Methanol and liquid chlorine, alongside reduced operating rates of production units. By November, prices surged as demand from sectors like paints and coatings gained momentum, bolstered by improved market performance and external influences such as cautious sentiment surrounding international events. However, as the year-end approached, the market faced a weakened trading atmosphere, with imbalanced supply-demand dynamics leading to a decline in prices. While some producers reduced equipment loads to manage inventory, others restored capacity, resulting in stable overall operations. The refrigerant market, particularly in the air conditioning sector, experienced robust demand supported by national subsidies, while other applications leveraged competitive pricing for restocking. These factors collectively shaped the quarter’s dynamic pricing trends for Methylene Dichloride.
Europe
Methylene Dichloride prices in the European market displayed mixed trends in Q4 2024, influenced by stable feedstock costs, fluctuating demand, and evolving global market dynamics. In October, prices declined due to consistent feedstock costs, particularly Methanol, and subdued demand from downstream industries such as pharmaceuticals and paints and coatings. This stability in raw material pricing helped maintain steady production costs but limited market activity. By November, a seasonal increase in demand from the paints and coatings sector drove prices upward, supported by supply chain challenges that constrained feedstock availability. Despite this, the market exhibited stability in mid-November, as external factors like the U.S. election introduced caution into trading activities. However, December brought a sharp rise in Methylene Dichloride prices, driven by significant supply disruptions in the Methanol market across the U.S. and Europe. These disruptions tightened feedstock availability and elevated production costs, amplifying market pressures. The combination of constrained supply, robust seasonal demand, and heightened production costs shaped a volatile yet upward trend for Methylene Dichloride prices toward the end of the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North American market for Methylene Dichloride displayed an overall upward movement in pricing, primarily driven by robust demand across key sectors. Industries such as the solvent sector have shown heightened demand for Methylene Dichloride, which significantly influenced the pricing dynamics in the region. This consistent demand strength offset the relatively stable feedstock costs, contributing to a bullish market sentiment and resulting in incremental price increases throughout the quarter.
Focusing specifically on the USA, this region recorded the most pronounced price changes within North America. Despite a generally negative comparison with prices from both the same quarter last year and the preceding quarter, the USA market saw gradual price increases in the second half of Q3. This trend was influenced by a variety of external factors, including supply chain disruptions and potential labour actions, which added complexity to the market landscape and indirectly impacted Methylene Dichloride prices.
By the quarter’s end, Methylene Dichloride reached USD 545/MT FOB Louisiana in the USA, marking a slight yet steady positive trend. The progressive increase across July, August, and September illustrates a stable pricing environment with an underlying bullish sentiment driven by robust demand and logistical challenges. Overall, the quarter ended on a cautiously optimistic note for the Methylene Dichloride market in North America.
APAC
Throughout Q3 2024, the Methylene Dichloride market in the APAC region experienced an upward trend in prices, driven by various market dynamics. Demand surged across industries such as paints, coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals, fuelled by increased industrial activities and anticipation of higher seasonal demand due to upcoming festive periods. Stable feedstock costs, coupled with improvements in manufacturing output, further reinforced the positive pricing environment, indicating healthy market conditions. In China specifically, the market displayed the most substantial price fluctuations within the region. The continuous upward trend in prices was attributed to strong market sentiments and consistent demand from industrial sectors. Seasonal factors contributed to steady price increments throughout the quarter. Compared to the same quarter in the previous year, prices remained lower, yet a noticeable increase was observed from the previous quarter in 2024, highlighting a positive quarterly growth trajectory. The quarter concluded with Methylene Dichloride priced at USD 330/MT on an EXW Qingdao basis in China, reflecting an optimistic pricing landscape driven by sustained demand and robust industry activity.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Methylene Dichloride market in Europe exhibited stable pricing trends, with Germany experiencing minor fluctuations. This stability was largely attributed to balanced demand from industries such as pharmaceuticals and coatings, which supported steady consumption levels. Feedstock Methanol prices remained relatively consistent, helping to maintain this price stability despite minor fluctuations in energy and freight costs throughout the quarter. The overall market sentiment in Europe reflected cautious purchasing behaviour, with buyers aligning orders closely with demand forecasts to avoid excess stock. Germany, known for typically significant price shifts, witnessed a more tempered pricing environment this quarter. The minimal price changes reflect a balanced market, where both supply and demand levels aligned, contributing to the overall steady trend in Methylene Dichloride pricing. Seasonal demand patterns had limited impact on the pricing, further underscoring the stable nature of the market during this period. By the end of Q3, Methylene Dichloride prices stood at USD 698/MT FOB Hamburg. This closing price underscores the consistency seen across the quarter, marking a period of minimal volatility in the European market. The consistent pricing environment highlights the resilience of the Methylene Dichloride market in Europe amid stable supply and demand dynamics.
FAQs
Q1. What is the current price of Methylene Dichloride?
As of July 2025, the assessed Methylene Dichloride prices were:
• North America: USD 510/MT FOB Louisiana
• Europe: USD 790/MT FOB Hamburg
• China (APAC): USD 294/MT FOB Qingdao
Q2. Who are the top Methylene Dichloride producers in the United States?
Major producers include Olin Corporation, Dow Chemical, and Occidental Chemical Corporation, contributing significantly to North America’s Methylene Dichloride supply.
Q3. What is the Methylene Dichloride Production Cost Trend in Q2 2025?
The production cost trend showed mild fluctuation, influenced by feedstock methanol prices. Costs rose sharply in late June across regions, particularly in Europe, due to methanol tightness, but otherwise remained manageable.
Q4. What is the Methylene Dichloride Price Forecast for Q3 2025?
The price forecast suggests continued volatility, with North America expected to maintain stable-to-mild gains, Europe seeing cost-push inflation, and APAC potentially recovering if refrigerant and export demand strengthens.
