Report Overview

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2027

The global dimethyl carbonate market reached USD 796.8 Million in 2020, and is further projected to reach USD 1,198.6 Million by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period. The increasing usage of dimethyl carbonate in paints and coatings, plastic, and pharmaceuticals industry has propelled the growth of the global dimethyl carbonate market worldwide. The market demand for dimethyl carbonate has been spurred by properties such as strength, transparency, chemical, and heat resistance. Furthermore, the dimethyl carbonate market is likely to be driven by the rising demand for polycarbonates and lithium-ion batteries. According to research conducted by BlueWeave Consulting, the electric vehicle market is expected to reach USD 121.8 Million in 2020. Thus, the adoption of lithium-ion batteries in EVs has propelled the growth of the dimethyl carbonate market.

Source: BlueWeave Consulting

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Overview:

Dimethyl carbonate is a non-toxic inorganic compound with the chemical formula OC (OCH₃)₂. It exists as a colorless liquid form. Dimethyl carbonate is flammable and can be classified as a carbonate ester. Being an organic compound, it can easily mix with almost all organic solvents, including alcohols, ketones, and others, among others. Due to properties like less toxic and unique molecular structure, it is well suited in diverse industries, namely, paints and coatings, plastic, and pharmaceuticals. It is used as a methylating agent in the production of analgesics, anti-infective, and antipyretic drugs.

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Forecast and Trend

Growth Drivers

Rise in Demand for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electronic devices like smartphones, electronic cars, power banks, and headphones. The properties of dimethyl carbonate, like strength, transparency, chemical, and heat resistance, are best suited for electronics and automotive and are likely to propel the global dimethyl carbonate market growth. Since new players are entering the market, the demand for lithium batteries to power the electronic devices has increased rapidly, which in turn drives the growth of dimethyl carbonate in the global market. According to Mercom Capital Corp, battery energy storage companies received USD 536 million in VC funding in the first half of 2020. To date, the majority of funding has gone to lithium-ion technologies. As a result, increased capital investment in lithium-ion batteries has fueled the dimethyl carbonate market's rise.

Growing Demand in Paints and Coatings Industry

Because it has no environmental impact and emits no volatile organic compounds, dimethyl carbonate is regarded a preferable alternative to solvents used in paints and coatings. Dimethyl carbonate is widely utilised in the creation of water-based eco-friendly paints and coatings, generating a profitable market opportunity. It has a similar solubility to naphtha light aromatics naphtha, making it one of the best solvents for paints, propelling the dimethyl carbonate industry forward. The paint sector in India is predicted to reach USD 700 million by 2021-2022, according to the Indian Paints Association.

Restraints

Use of Highly Toxic Raw Material for Dimethyl Carbonate Synthesis

The raw material used for the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate is highly toxic. Dimethyl carbonate is a green solvent, but the process used for manufacturing dimethyl carbonate is highly toxic. It involves toxic gases like phosgene and carbon monoxide, which are considered harmful for the environment. Traditionally all the manufacturers use the same method where phosgene is used; phosgene is harmful even at low concentrations. It can cause severe health problems or even death to people hindering the growth of the market. Moreover, several dimethyl carbonate production methods produce sodium bicarbonate as a by-product, which is also a very harmful element for the environment, limiting the dimethyl carbonate market's growth.

Impact of COVID-19 in the industry

COVID-19 has negatively impacted the dimethyl carbonate market as due to lockdown and trade restrictions.The global demand for dimethyl carbonate witnessed a sharp decline  as there was less demand from the end-user industry during the global health crisis. The automotive, paints and coating industry and batteries industry has seen a downfall in volume sales. The key industry players of automotive and paints and coating companies have registered less revenue in the financial year 2020, which hindered the growth of the dimethyl carbonate market. The shutdown of operations in China and other Asia Pacific countries has had a significant impact on battery makers in the United States, Germany, and Australia.

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: By Grade

The global dimethyl carbonate market is segmented into industrial, pharmaceutical, and battery-grade based on grades. The battery-grade (>99%) accounts for the largest share in the market due to the ease in application in the automotive and electronic industry and other factors driving the market growth. The battery segment is likely to dominate the market as they are in high demand due to lightweight and the need for Li-Io batteries worldwide. The use in smartphones, electric vehicles, solar panels, power banks, and the wide use of polycarbonate in paints and coatings as a solvent is influencing the growth of the dimethyl carbonate market.

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: By Application

Based on applications, the dimethyl carbonate market is categorized into polycarbonate, battery electrolyte, solvents, and others. Among these, the polycarbonate synthesis segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020 as dimethyl carbonate is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of polycarbonates driving the growth polycarbonate in the application sector. Polycarbonate is employed as a plastic engineering material with exceptional physical features in a variety of end-use sectors, including automotive and electrical and electronics, which is crucial for the growth of the polycarbonate market.

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: By End-Industry Users

The dimethyl carbonate market is fragmented into paints and coating, plastic, batteries, agrochemical, pharmaceuticals, and others on the basis of end-industry users. The plastic sector in the end industry use segment is likely to power the market during the forecast period. The rise in demand for lightweight material across the electronic and automobile industry, which utilizes polycarbonate as base material, further fuels the growth of the segment. In addition, dimethyl carbonate is chemically stable, heat-stable, and provides the strength needed in the automotive industry, further driving the growth of the dimethyl carbonate market.

Source: BlueWeave Consulting

Global Dimethyl Carbonate Market: Regional insights

The dimethyl carbonate market is segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa, wherein the Asia-Pacific accounts for the highest share. Among these regions, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing market. Increasing preference for superior and top-quality paints is driving the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific. The market growth of dimethyl carbonate can be attributed to the high consumption of dimethyl carbonate in electronics, automotive, and paints and coatings industries. In addition, a large consumer base and rising disposable income are propelling the regional market. Moreover, leading players operating in the Asia-Pacific region are driving the growth of the dimethyl carbonate market.

Source: BlueWeave Consulting

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the dimethyl carbonate market are Alfa Aesar, Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Ube Industries Ltd. (Japan), Merck KGaA (Germany), Shandong Shida Shenghua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (China), HaiKe Chemical Group Ltd. (China), Arrow Chemical Group Corp. (China), Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Japan), Tongling Jintai Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. (China), Tangshan Chaoyang Chemical Co., Ltd., (China), and Kowa India Pvt. Ltd. (India). The market players compete on the basis of the given product quality and the new and cost-effective manufacturing process, which can give them better yield and optimize the process for more and better production.

Recent Developments

• In June 2021, Huntsnman Corporation announced that it has increased the production capacity in the Texas plants used in manufacturing of EV batteries. In recent years, Huntsman has seen strong growth in ULTRAPURE Ethylene Carbonate.

• In March 2020, UBE Industries, Conclusion of a joint venture agreement between Ube Industries and Mitsubishi chemical and joint incorporation-type company split of Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery.

Scope of the Report:

Scope of the Report

By Grade

• Industry
• Pharmaceutical
• Battery

By Applications

• Polycarbonate
• Battery Electrolyte
• Solvents
• Others

By End-User Industry

• Paints and Coatings
• Plastic
• Pharmaceuticals
• Batteries
• Agrochemicals
• Others

By Region

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Europe
• Middle East & Africa
• Latin America