Market overview
The global methanol market is worth USD 36.4 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 53.9 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Natural gas is the largest by feedstock segment.
| Scope | Methanol produced from natural gas, coal and renewable routes, sold for formaldehyde, olefins, acetic acid, fuel blending and marine fuel use. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 35.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 36.4 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 53.9 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 103 million tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 141 million tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 353 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Methanol market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 36.4 bn |
| 2027 | USD 37.9 bn |
| 2028 | USD 39.4 bn |
| 2029 | USD 40.9 bn |
| 2030 | USD 42.6 bn |
| 2031 | USD 44.3 bn |
| 2032 | USD 46.1 bn |
| 2033 | USD 47.9 bn |
| 2034 | USD 49.8 bn |
| 2035 | USD 51.8 bn |
| 2036 | USD 53.9 bn |
Methanol market segmentation
By feedstock
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | 63.0% | 50.5% | USD 22.9 bn | 1.7% |
| Coal | 34.0% | 26.0% | USD 12.4 bn | 1.2% |
| Renewable and low-carbon | 3.0% | 23.5% | USD 1.1 bn | 27.8% |
By derivative
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 22.0% | 17.4% | USD 8.0 bn | 1.6% |
| Olefins (MTO) | 30.0% | 30.3% | USD 10.9 bn | 4.1% |
| Acetic acid | 9.0% | 7.5% | USD 3.3 bn | 2.1% |
| Fuel blending and DME | 14.0% | 12.2% | USD 5.1 bn | 2.6% |
| MTBE and biodiesel | 8.0% | 6.3% | USD 2.9 bn | 1.6% |
| Marine and other fuels | 5.0% | 16.2% | USD 1.8 bn | 17.0% |
| Other uses | 12.0% | 10.0% | USD 4.4 bn | 2.1% |
By grade
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel grade | 38.0% | 40.0% | USD 13.8 bn | 4.5% |
| Chemical grade | 52.0% | 48.0% | USD 18.9 bn | 3.2% |
| Ultra-pure and AA grade | 10.0% | 12.0% | USD 3.6 bn | 5.9% |
By sales model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term contracts | 46.0% | 44.0% | USD 16.7 bn | 3.5% |
| Spot | 26.0% | 28.0% | USD 9.5 bn | 4.8% |
| Captive derivative | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 10.2 bn | 4.0% |
By downstream industry
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building and wood products | 30.0% | 28.0% | USD 10.9 bn | 3.3% |
| Automotive and transport | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 6.6 bn | 5.1% |
| Energy and power | 22.0% | 24.0% | USD 8.0 bn | 4.9% |
| Electronics and consumer | 14.0% | 12.0% | USD 5.1 bn | 2.4% |
| Packaging and other | 16.0% | 16.0% | USD 5.8 bn | 4.0% |
Top 25 countries for methanol by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 84.2% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 96.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 20.0 bn | 55.0% | USD 30.2 bn | 4.2% |
| 2 | United States | USD 2.2 bn | 6.0% | USD 3.1 bn | 3.5% |
| 3 | India | USD 1.5 bn | 4.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 6.3% |
| 4 | South Korea | USD 1.3 bn | 3.5% | USD 1.8 bn | 3.4% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 1.1 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 1.7% |
| 6 | Netherlands | USD 1.1 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 2.5% |
| 7 | Japan | USD 1.1 bn | 3.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 1.3% |
| 8 | Iran | USD 910 mn | 2.5% | USD 1.3 bn | 3.6% |
| 9 | Taiwan | USD 801 mn | 2.2% | USD 1.1 bn | 3.0% |
| 10 | Malaysia | USD 728 mn | 2.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 3.5% |
| 11 | Russia | USD 477 mn | 1.3% | USD 706 mn | 4.0% |
| 12 | Saudi Arabia | USD 426 mn | 1.2% | USD 727 mn | 5.5% |
| 13 | Indonesia | USD 400 mn | 1.1% | USD 684 mn | 5.5% |
| 14 | Turkey | USD 379 mn | 1.0% | USD 560 mn | 4.0% |
| 15 | Brazil | USD 353 mn | 1.0% | USD 523 mn | 4.0% |
| 16 | Egypt | USD 328 mn | 0.9% | USD 555 mn | 5.4% |
| 17 | Canada | USD 302 mn | 0.8% | USD 447 mn | 4.0% |
| 18 | Thailand | USD 277 mn | 0.8% | USD 409 mn | 4.0% |
| 19 | United Kingdom | USD 251 mn | 0.7% | USD 372 mn | 4.0% |
| 20 | France | USD 226 mn | 0.6% | USD 334 mn | 4.0% |
| 21 | Italy | USD 226 mn | 0.6% | USD 334 mn | 4.0% |
| 22 | Vietnam | USD 200 mn | 0.6% | USD 339 mn | 5.4% |
| 23 | Belgium | USD 200 mn | 0.6% | USD 296 mn | 4.0% |
| 24 | Spain | USD 175 mn | 0.5% | USD 259 mn | 4.0% |
| 25 | Oman | USD 149 mn | 0.4% | USD 259 mn | 5.7% |
| Rest of world | USD 1.4 bn | 3.8% | USD 2.0 bn | 3.9% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Methanex
- Sabic
- Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
- Zagros Petrochemical
- OCI
- Celanese
- Koch Methanol
- Shenhua Ningxia Coal
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Proman
- Yankuang Energy
- Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum
- Petronas Chemicals
- BASF
- Methanol Holdings (Trinidad)
- QAFAC
- Sipchem
- Equinor
- Metafrax Chemicals
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Liquid Wind
- Carbon Recycling International
- HIF Global
- Enerkem
- Natgasoline
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the methanol market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by feedstock, by derivative, by grade, by sales model, by downstream industry. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the methanol market?
The global methanol market is estimated at USD 35.0 bn in 2025 and USD 36.4 bn in 2026.
How fast will the methanol market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 53.9 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 17.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for methanol?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 20.0 bn in 2026, 55.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 65.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 6.3% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which methanol segment is largest?
In the by feedstock split, Natural gas is the largest segment with 63.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading methanol companies?
Global leaders include Methanex, Sabic, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, Zagros Petrochemical.
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