Ethyl methacrylate

Methyl Methacrylate Ethyl Ester: Recent Commodity Market Intelligence Report

I. Price Trends
1. Benchmark Price:
- As of June 23, 2026, the ChemNet (Shengyishe) benchmark price stood at RMB 32,040.00 per metric ton, unchanged from the beginning of the month and at its annual low (annual minimum: RMB 32,040/ton; maximum: RMB 34,550/ton; median: RMB 33,295/ton).
- The benchmark price remained unchanged at RMB 32,040.00/ton on June 22, 2026, marking two consecutive days of stability. The market average price has exhibited only minor fluctuations compared to earlier dates (e.g., June 18).

2. Market Quotations:
- Shandong Zhihengda Import & Export Co., Ltd. quoted RMB 23,500/ton (purity ≥99.5%) on June 22, 2026—approximately 26.6% below the benchmark price—possibly reflecting regional pricing or brand-specific differentials.
- According to Caide Chemical Network, the market average price on June 18, 2026, was RMB 30,386/ton, about 5.2% lower than the June 22 benchmark price, indicating short-term price volatility.

II. Supply-Demand Dynamics
1. Supply Side:
- The sustained low benchmark price triggers cautionary signals labeled “overly depressed for 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years”, suggesting prolonged supply-demand imbalance or eased cost pressures.
- Active quotations from enterprises such as Shandong Zhihengda reflect market segmentation, with significant price disparities observed across product grades (e.g., high-purity vs. standard-grade products).

2. Demand Side:
- Robust demand for methacrylate esters is emerging in the Indian market, driven by rapid growth in its textile and coatings industries. India’s coatings market reached USD 12.12 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 8.2% during 2025–2030, thereby boosting import demand.
- As a key supplier to India, China holds considerable export potential; however, evolving trade policies warrant close monitoring.

3. Impact of Related Products:
- Methyl acryloxyethyl carbamate (a related compound) is experiencing downward price pressure: mainstream quotations stood at RMB 15,500–16,000/ton on June 10, 2026. Weakness in upstream raw materials—acrylic acid and methacrylic acid—is dampening overall market sentiment.

III. Industry Developments
1. Market Scale & Competition:
- The Chinese market size for 2-(tert-Butylamino)ethyl methacrylate (a specialty derivative) reached RMB 0.66 million in 2025, with a global market size of USD 25.5 million. The global market is forecast to expand to USD 31.9 million by 2032, representing a CAGR of 3.25%.
- Leading global players include BASF, DAYANGCHEM, and Haihang Industry. Chinese enterprises are progressively increasing their global market share.

2. Regional Markets:
- East China and North China serve as primary production and consumption hubs for ethyl methacrylate, hosting dense concentrations of manufacturers—especially in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces—where active price quoting is observed.

IV. Analysis & Outlook
1. Short-Term Price Outlook:
- With the benchmark price holding steady for two consecutive days and narrowing average price fluctuations, short-term prices are likely to remain range-bound at low levels. Close attention should be paid to price trends of upstream raw materials—acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
- Significant regional quotation differentials (e.g., Shandong Zhihengda’s RMB 23,500/ton) highlight supply-demand fragmentation; high-purity products may retain pricing resilience due to inelastic demand.

2. Medium-to-Long-Term Trend:
- Rising demand from emerging markets such as India, combined with steady growth in niche segments (e.g., 2-(tert-Butylamino)ethyl methacrylate, CAGR 3.25%), may drive modest medium-to-long-term price appreciation.
- Persistent domestic overcapacity remains a structural constraint; price recovery will likely be moderate and contingent upon export expansion or industrial upgrading to absorb inventory.

V. Forecast
1. Price Range:
- The benchmark price for Q3 2026 is expected to range between RMB 32,000–33,500/ton. A breakout above the annual median (RMB 33,295/ton) is possible if raw material costs rise significantly or demand exceeds expectations.

2. Market Opportunities:
- Export-oriented enterprises should prioritize emerging markets—including India and Southeast Asia—and enhance value-added positioning via differentiated offerings (e.g., high-purity grades or specialized specifications).
- Niche derivatives—such as 2-(tert-Butylamino)ethyl methacrylate—present new growth avenues, fueled by expanding applications in adhesives, paints, and coatings.

3. Risk Warnings:
- Escalating global trade frictions could impede export channels; developments in U.S.-China and China-India trade policies must be closely tracked.
- Substantial volatility in raw material prices or tightening environmental regulations may compress profit margins; enterprises should strengthen cost control and supply chain management.