EU: Methanol Market 2024

Methanol Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU methanol market increased by 4.5% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total consumption indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +57.4% against 2020 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Methanol Production in the EU

In value terms, methanol production expanded remarkably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 63%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Methanol Exports

Exports in the EU

Methanol exports reduced to X tons in 2022, waning by -5.4% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, methanol exports totaled $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the largest exporter of methanol (methyl alcohol) in the European Union, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 52% of total exports in 2022. Poland (X tons) held a 15% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Belgium (12%), Germany (7%) and Slovenia (5.4%). Finland (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

Exports from the Netherlands decreased at an average annual rate of -3.4% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+24.1%), Belgium (+6.8%) and Slovenia (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +24.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-2.2%) and Finland (-9.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Poland, Belgium and Slovenia increased by +13, +6.3 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest methanol supplier in the European Union, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 11% share.

In the Netherlands, methanol exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Poland (+25.2% per year) and Belgium (+7.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 15% against the previous year. Export price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, methanol export price increased by +67.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the export price increased by 46% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while Slovenia ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Methanol Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, the amount of methanol (methyl alcohol) imported in the European Union reduced slightly to X tons, declining by -4.5% compared with 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 28%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, methanol imports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +97.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 88%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons), France (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons) represented the major importers of methanol (methyl alcohol), together making up 83% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Belgium ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 53% of total imports. Poland, Spain, France and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +10.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 10% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Spain ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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