Europe: Methanol Market 2024

Methanol Market Size in Europe

In 2022, the Europe methanol market increased by 2.1% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Methanol Production in Europe

In value terms, methanol production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +13.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 61% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Methanol Exports

Exports in Europe

For the third year in a row, Europe recorded decline in shipments abroad of methanol (methyl alcohol), which decreased by -1.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, methanol exports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +42.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Russia (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the major exporters of methanol (methyl alcohol) in Europe, together generating 59% of total exports. Norway (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (7.3%) and Belgium (5.8%). The following exporters - Germany (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) - each recorded a 6.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +24.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest methanol supplying countries in Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Russia ($X) and Norway ($X), with a combined 68% share of total exports. Poland, Belgium, Germany and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +25.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the export price increased by 55% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was 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 Europe

In 2022, the amount of methanol (methyl alcohol) imported in Europe contracted modestly to X tons, shrinking by -3.4% on 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 throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, methanol imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, imports increased by +91.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 81%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual 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 key importers of methanol (methyl alcohol), together comprising 81% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest methanol importing markets in Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Belgium ($X), with a combined 51% share of total imports. Poland, Spain, France and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

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

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 54% against the previous year. The level of import peaked 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