Methanol Market in Asia - Key Insights

IndexBox has just published a new report, the Asia - Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the methanol market in Asia amounted to $8.7B in 2017, surging by 52% 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). The total market indicated a strong increase from 2007 to 2017: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017, with an increase of 52% y-o-y. The level of methanol consumption peaked at $8.8B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2017, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production in Asia

The methanol production stood at 21M tonnes in 2017, increasing by 3.2% against the previous year. The methanol production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2008, with an increase of 19% y-o-y. In that year, methanol production reached its peak volume of 27M tonnes. From 2009 to 2017, methanol production growth remained at a lower figure.

Methanol Exports

Exports in Asia

The exports amounted to 13M tonnes in 2017, coming down by -8.4% against the previous year. The methanol exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

In value terms, methanol exports amounted to $4.4B (IndexBox estimates) in 2017. The total exports indicated a strong increase from 2007 to 2017: its value decreased at an average annual rate of -0.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of exports peaked at $4.9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2017, exports failed to regain their momentum.

Exports by Country

Iran (4M tonnes) and Saudi Arabia (3.7M tonnes) represented the main exporters of methanol (methyl alcohol) in 2017, amounting to near 32% and 30% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Malaysia (1.8M tonnes), Oman (1.2M tonnes) and Qatar (698K tonnes), together committing 29% share of total exports. Brunei Darussalam (492K tonnes) and Bahrain (312K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Malaysia (+14.8% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Iran ($1.3B), Saudi Arabia ($1.3B) and Oman ($681M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2017, with a combined 74% share of total exports.

Export Prices by Country

The methanol export price in Asia stood at $351 per tonne in 2017, increasing by 61% against the previous year. The the methanol export price continues to indicate a prominent expansion.

Export prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest export price was Oman ($573 per tonne), while Brunei Darussalam ($283 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of export prices was attained by Iran (+12.2% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Methanol Imports

Imports in Asia

The imports stood at 17M tonnes in 2017, falling by -7.3% against the previous year. The total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2007 to 2017: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2017 figures, the methanol imports increased by +23.0% against 2011 indices.

In value terms, methanol imports totaled $5.9B (IndexBox estimates) in 2017. The total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2007 to 2017: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, methanol imports reached their maximum in 2017, and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2017, China (7.7M tonnes) was the major importer for methanol (methyl alcohol), making up 45% of total imports. Japan (1.8M tonnes) occupied a 10% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by South Korea (9.9%), India (9.9%) and Taiwan, Chinese (8%). The following importers - Singapore (629K tonnes) and Turkey (614K tonnes) each amounted to a 7.3% share of total imports.

China was also the fastest growing in terms of the methanol (methyl alcohol) imports, with a CAGR of +24.7% from 2007 to 2017. At the same time, India (+8.3%), Turkey (+6.2%), Taiwan, Chinese (+2.3%) and South Korea (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-1.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2017, the share of Japan increased by 1.7% percentage points, while Turkey (-1.6%), Taiwan, Chinese (-1.6%), India (-5.5%) and China (-40.1%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.6B) constitutes the largest market for imported methanol (methyl alcohol) in Asia, comprising 45% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($596M), with a 10% share of global imports. It was followed by India, with a 9.7% share.

Import Prices by Country

In 2017, the methanol import price in Asia amounted to $344 per tonne, going up by 44% against the previous year. The the methanol import price continues to indicate a slight shrinkage.

Average import prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2017, major importing countries recorded the following import prices: in China ($344 per tonne) and Singapore ($340 per tonne), while Taiwan, Chinese ($328 per tonne) and South Korea ($331 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2017, the most notable rate of growth in terms of import prices was attained by China (+1.1% per year), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform