Weekly Analysis of China's Methanol Production and Capacity Utilization (June 26–July 2, 2026)

1. Qualitative analysis of production and capacity utilization trends

In the week from June 26 to July 2, 2026, China’s methanol production stood at 2,031,115 tonnes, down 10,730 tonnes week on week; the capacity utilization rate was 90.19%, down 0.58% compared with the previous week.

Table 1 China methanol production and capacity utilization weekly comparison (unit: tonne; %)

Source: Chempricehub Information

During the reporting period, new units were brought on stream, raising total capacity to 107.275 million tonnes/year. Some units newly entered maintenance, such as Shaanxi Yulin Coal Chemical; some newly reduced output, such as Jinmei Huayu; and units that resumed operation after maintenance or output cuts included Shandong Mingshui, Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical, Gansu Liuhua and Jiutai New Materials, as well as one unit in Heilongjiang and two units in Inner Mongolia. Because total capacity losses outweighed restorations during the period, production decreased and the capacity utilization rate fell.

2. Forecast analysis of production and capacity utilization trends

Next week, China’s methanol production is projected at around 2.033 million tonnes, with the capacity utilization rate at about 90.17%, slightly lower than the current week. The capacity scheduled to resume operation next week is larger than that scheduled for maintenance or output reduction, which points to higher production; however, because total capacity is increasing, the capacity utilization rate is expected to decline.

3. Comparison of capacity utilization and price trends

This week, China’s methanol capacity utilization rate was 90.19%, down 0.58% week on week and up 2.26% year on year. The decline in domestic methanol capacity utilization reduced actual output. During the period, the futures market continued to fall; downstream buying was mainly for rigid demand, and market transaction prices kept trending down.

Sample description: Chempricehub’s weekly China methanol production and capacity utilization data are first-hand statistics covering 178 domestic methanol producers, with a sample coverage rate of 100%. The statistical period runs from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week, and the data are released at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).

Terminology: Production generally refers to the quantity of products meeting relevant standards that a producer actually produces in a given period (i.e., actual output, expressed as the weight or volume of products under a defined measurement system, rather than marketable/sales volume). Capacity utilization rate refers to the extent to which an enterprise’s capacity is utilized, also known as operating load. It is generally calculated as the ratio of product output or raw material throughput to effective capacity.

Statistical scope: The weekly production and capacity utilization statistics cover the period from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week. The data are released at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).