China Methanol Production and Capacity Utilization Rate Weekly Data Analysis (20260807-0813)

1. Qualitative Analysis of Production and Capacity Utilization Trends

This week (August 7–13, 2026), China's methanol output was 1,943,715 tonnes, down 33,170 tonnes from the previous week; the plant capacity utilization rate was 86.03%, down 1.71 percentage points week on week.

Table 1 Weekly Comparison of China's Methanol Output and Capacity Utilization (Unit: tonnes, %)

Source: Chempricehub

This week, additional units entered maintenance, including Hualu Hengsheng, Sichuan Wanhua, Yantai Wanhua, and Zhongtian Hechuang. New production cuts were also implemented at some plants, such as Jinmei Huayu. Meanwhile, several units resumed operation after maintenance or production cuts, including Anhui Huayi, Yankuang Xinjiang, and one unit each in Heilongjiang and Shandong. As the total capacity lost during the period outweighed the capacity restored, the capacity utilization rate declined and output decreased.

2. Forecast Analysis of Production and Capacity Utilization Trends

Next week, China's weekly methanol output and capacity utilization rate are expected to be approximately 1.892 million tonnes and 83.74%, respectively, down from this period. The capacity scheduled to undergo maintenance or production cuts next week exceeds the capacity scheduled to resume operations, which will pull the capacity utilization rate down and reduce output.

3. Comparison of Capacity Utilization Rate and Price Trends

This week, China's methanol capacity utilization rate was 86.03%, down 1.71 percentage points week on week and up 4.33 percentage points year on year. The decline in the domestic methanol capacity utilization rate has significantly reduced market supply. Futures prices rose sharply, while inland olefin producers purchased actively and buying interest from other consumers increased. With trading sentiment improving and producers selling well, transaction prices in the major producing regions moved higher.

Sample description: Chempricehub's weekly data on China's methanol output and capacity utilization rate are first-hand statistics. The sample covers 180 domestic methanol producers, representing 100% sample coverage. The statistical period runs from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week, with data released at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).

Terminology: Output generally refers to the actual quantity of products meeting applicable standards that a producer manufactures within a given period (not a sales-volume concept, but the weight or volume of goods under a certain unit of measurement); that is, actual production.

Capacity utilization rate: the degree to which a producer's capacity is utilized, also known as operating load. It is generally calculated as the ratio of product output or feedstock throughput to effective capacity.

Statistical basis: Weekly output and capacity utilization data cover the period from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week and are released at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).