China Methanol Production and Capacity Utilization Rate Weekly Data Analysis (August 14-20, 2026)

I. Qualitative Analysis of Production and Capacity Utilization Trends

This week (August 14–20, 2026), China's methanol production totaled 1,852,945 metric tons, a decrease of 77,520 metric tons from the previous week. The plant capacity utilization rate stood at 82.02%, down 4.01 percentage points week-over-week.

[Image omitted: Figure 1 — China methanol production and capacity utilization weekly trend chart]

Table 1: China methanol production and capacity utilization weekly comparison (Unit: metric tons, %)

Source: Chempricehub Information

New maintenance shutdowns were seen this week at plants including Jineng Technology, Xinjiang Tianye, Xindongheng, Chongqing Wansheng, Xinjiang Zhongtai, Shaanxi Changqing, and Jinkong Yanhua, along with one plant each in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Guizhou, and Hebei. One plant in Ningxia initiated new production cuts during the period. Meanwhile, maintenance and reduced-operating units that resumed operations this week include Zhejiang Petrochemical, Zhongyuan Dahua, and one plant in Inner Mongolia. As total losses from shutdowns and cuts outweighed restored capacity during the period, the capacity utilization rate declined and production decreased.

II. Forecast Analysis of Production and Capacity Utilization Trends

Next week, China's methanol production and capacity utilization are projected as follows: production of approximately 1,884,300 metric tons and a capacity utilization rate of around 83.41%, both higher than the current period. The capacity slated to resume operations next week exceeds the capacity affected by maintenance shutdowns and production cuts, which is expected to drive the utilization rate higher and increase output.

III. Comparison of Capacity Utilization and Price Trends

This week, China's methanol capacity utilization rate was 82.02%, down 4.01 percentage points week-over-week and 2.15 percentage points year-over-year. The sharp decline in domestic methanol capacity utilization reduced market supply, while a significant rally in futures boosted downstream buying sentiment. With supportive supply-demand fundamentals, ex-plant prices in major producing regions rose substantially.

[Image omitted: Figure 2 — China methanol weekly capacity utilization vs. average weekly price trend chart]

(Note: As some historical data have been revised, figures for the current week are subject to the latest release.)

Sample description: Chempricehub Information's China methanol weekly production and capacity utilization data are primary statistics covering 180 domestic methanol producers, representing 100% of the sample universe. The statistical period runs from Friday of the preceding week through Thursday of the current week, with data published at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).

Terminology: Production refers to the actual quantity of goods meeting relevant quality standards produced by a manufacturer during a given period (a measure of commodity weight or volume under standard units, rather than a commercial sales volume concept). Capacity utilization, also referred to as operating load, measures the extent to which production capacity is utilized, calculated as the ratio of product output or feedstock throughput to effective capacity.

Statistical caliber: The weekly production and capacity utilization statistics cover the period from Friday of the preceding week to Thursday of the current week, with data published at 14:30 every Thursday (working day).