The methylene dichloride price trend is a crucial topic for industries that rely on this widely used solvent—especially in pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint removers, aerosol formulations, and metal cleaning agents. Also known as dichloromethane (DCM), methylene dichloride is a colorless, volatile liquid with powerful solvent properties, making it essential across sectors like chemicals, construction, and automotive.
With volatile raw material prices, evolving environmental regulations, and shifting demand patterns in global markets, it’s more important than ever to understand what’s driving the price movements of methylene dichloride in 2025. In this article, we explore the latest price trends, quarterly data from 2024 and Q1 2025, market forecasts, supply-demand shifts, key influencing factors, and the leading global suppliers by region.
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Q1 2025 Methylene Dichloride Price Trend: A Cautious but Stable Quarter
In the first quarter of 2025, methylene dichloride prices remained relatively steady, showing only slight regional fluctuations due to feedstock cost movements and modest industrial demand.
In North America, prices ranged from $670 to $710 per metric ton, supported by steady demand in pharmaceuticals and adhesive manufacturing. The U.S. market remained balanced as local suppliers maintained moderate inventory levels, avoiding overstocking and large-scale price shifts.
Europe saw a price band of $720 to $760 per metric ton, influenced by higher energy costs and stricter environmental compliance. Several European producers slightly reduced production rates in early February due to rising input costs and mild winter slowdowns in construction-related demand. However, the demand from the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in Germany and France, provided price stability.
In Asia-Pacific, especially China and India, methylene dichloride prices ranged between $600 to $650 per metric ton. China experienced a softer demand curve in January after the Lunar New Year holiday but picked up in March due to increased activity in the electronics and paint sectors. India maintained stable consumption driven by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries, with prices seeing a slight rise toward the end of March due to limited imports and port delays.
The Middle East continued offering the most competitive prices, around $590 to $620 per metric ton, due to lower production costs and strong export-oriented manufacturing. However, minor delays in shipping logistics caused slight fluctuations in prices toward the end of the quarter.
Methylene Dichloride Quarterly Price Trends Recap – 2024
Q1 2024: Post-Pandemic Stability
Methylene dichloride prices in Q1 2024 were relatively stable across global markets. North America and Europe recorded prices between $680 and $730 per metric ton, supported by a rebound in manufacturing and automotive repair activity. Asia-Pacific, especially China and India, saw steady production rates, keeping prices between $600–$650 per metric ton. Demand was strong from cleaning, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries.
Q2 2024: Raw Material Disruptions
Q2 brought disruptions due to rising feedstock costs, especially chlorine and methane, the two key raw materials for DCM production. North American prices rose to $750/MT, while Europe climbed to $780/MT. In Asia, a brief shutdown of major production plants in China due to maintenance led to temporary price hikes to $680/MT, before leveling off by June.
Q3 2024: Demand-Driven Growth
With industries operating at near-full capacity, Q3 2024 saw an uptick in global DCM prices. In India and Southeast Asia, rising agrochemical demand and higher industrial coatings production lifted prices to $700–$730/MT. Europe continued to see upward momentum due to energy inflation and lower imports, peaking at $790/MT in September.
Q4 2024: Year-End Correction
By Q4, prices began correcting globally. North American prices dropped slightly to $710/MT, while European prices slipped to $740/MT due to stockpiling and reduced construction activity. In Asia, oversupply from restarted Chinese plants brought prices back down to $640/MT. Still, demand from pharmaceuticals helped cushion any steep declines.
Methylene Dichloride Market Forecast & CAGR Outlook
The global methylene dichloride market is expected to witness moderate growth with a CAGR of 3.9% from 2025 to 2030. Growth will be driven by expanding pharmaceutical production, increased use in aerosols and adhesives, and rising consumption in paint removers and metal degreasing applications.
However, environmental pressures and tightening health regulations (particularly in the EU and North America) could restrain market expansion. As stricter standards are enforced, manufacturers may shift towards cleaner alternatives, but the transition is expected to be gradual, leaving strong market demand for DCM in the medium term.
What’s Influencing the Methylene Dichloride Market in 2025?
Methylene Dichloride Key Demand Drivers:
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: As a solvent and intermediate, DCM remains crucial in drug formulation.
- Aerosol Propellants: Increased demand for spray paints, cleaning foams, and personal care aerosols.
- Paint and Coating Removers: Used extensively in automotive refinishing and construction maintenance.
Methylene Dichloride Supply-Side Factors:
- Feedstock Prices: Changes in chlorine and methane prices can significantly influence DCM costs.
- Environmental Regulations: Bans or restrictions on DCM use in consumer applications may impact regional demand, especially in North America and Europe.
- Production Capacity: New production facilities coming online in Asia-Pacific may push up supply, stabilizing or reducing prices in 2025.
Regional Market Dynamics: A Closer Look
North America
The U.S. remains a mature market, with demand primarily from pharma, construction, and adhesives. However, increasing regulatory pressure from agencies like the EPA has led to reduced consumer-grade applications. Industrial-grade usage still remains strong. Domestic supply is balanced, and prices are stable due to consistent plant operations.
Europe
Europe is seeing increasing environmental scrutiny, with some regions banning consumer use of DCM in paint strippers. However, industrial use is still allowed, especially in pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Demand is holding steady, and prices are slightly higher due to energy and environmental compliance costs.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing regional market for methylene dichloride. China and India are the top players in both production and consumption. Rising demand in pharmaceuticals, electronics, and flexible packaging continues to drive regional growth. China’s self-sufficiency and India’s imports keep the market competitive but dynamic.
Middle East & Africa
This region benefits from lower energy and feedstock costs, making it a low-cost production hub. Export opportunities are strong, particularly toward South Asia and Africa. DCM from the Middle East is often priced competitively, although shipping disruptions can affect availability.
Top 10 Global Suppliers of Methylene Dichloride
- Dow Chemical Company (USA) – Major global supplier with integrated production and wide applications in pharma and coatings.
- AkzoNobel (Netherlands) – Supplies across Europe with a strong focus on industrial-grade DCM.
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan) – Key player in East Asia with a strong presence in electronics and pharma.
- KEM ONE (France) – Leading European producer, especially active in the coatings sector.
- Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd (India) – Dominates the Indian market with growing export potential.
- Occidental Petroleum (OxyChem) (USA) – Supplies DCM across North America with reliability and scale.
- Tokuyama Corporation (Japan) – Focused on high-purity solvent markets, especially in electronics and pharma.
- SRF Limited (India) – Major player in fluorochemicals and solvents, with a strong DCM footprint.
- Jiangsu Meilan Chemical Co., Ltd. (China) – Large-scale DCM production for industrial and pharma uses.
- Henan Zhongyuan Dahua Group Co., Ltd. (China) – Known for strong supply to domestic and Southeast Asian markets.
The methylene dichloride market in 2025 is poised for cautious but consistent growth. Prices are expected to remain stable with mild upward pressure in some regions due to raw material and energy costs. Regulatory changes will continue shaping the market, especially in Europe and North America, while Asia-Pacific will remain the growth engine thanks to its strong demand base and expanding industrial capabilities.
Whether you’re a manufacturer, buyer, or distributor, staying updated on price trends, supplier movements, and regulatory shifts is essential to managing costs and supply chains effectively. As DCM continues to serve as a key industrial solvent, understanding its market behavior in 2025 will help you plan smarter and stay competitive.
Also Read: Methyl Chloride Price Trend: 2025 Market Forecast, Key Drivers, and Top Suppliers