[Lead] During this period, the domestic market price of dimethyl carbonate has generally shown a weak and bearish trend, with market performance being relatively sluggish. From the perspective of market operations, neither supply nor demand has provided effective support, and market trading activity remains low, with an overall subdued atmosphere.

On the supply side, although some plants are under maintenance, leading to a slight reduction in regional market supply and theoretically offering some support to prices, the actual positive impact is very limited. On one hand, the production capacity involved in the current maintenance period is relatively small and has not substantially affected the overall supply structure. On the other hand, while the overall industry operating rate has declined, market circulation remains relatively abundant, with producers and traders still holding certain inventories, and social inventory levels have not shown significant reductions. Consequently, the positive effect from supply tightening has been diluted by ample existing stocks and has failed to effectively boost market prices.

From the demand side, the challenges facing the market are even more pronounced. Downstream industries generally show low operating enthusiasm this cycle, with procurement willingness for dimethyl carbonate being broadly subdued across not only the key electrolyte solvent sector but also traditional application segments such as polycarbonate, coatings, and adhesives. Downstream users mostly adopt a wait-and-see attitude, operate cautiously, and primarily follow a just-in-need small-volume procurement approach, lacking strong support from bulk transactions. Some downstream companies are themselves under pressure from poor cost pass-through and insufficient end-order demand, leading to low acceptance of rising raw material prices, further suppressing purchasing enthusiasm. The sustained weakness in demand has become the core factor constraining dimethyl carbonate price trends.

Under the pattern of weak supply and demand, overall market trading sentiment remains light. Active inquiries are rare, and real-order negotiations lack enthusiasm, with limited willingness for buyers and sellers to bargain. Although holders are inclined to support prices, the reality of insufficient demand has led to some flexibility in actual negotiations, with certain deals seeing slight concessions. Transaction paces are slow, and overall trading volumes are difficult to expand, resulting in a market stuck in a state of "slight supply reduction, weak demand, and stalemate in transactions."

In summary, the core contradiction currently facing the dimethyl carbonate market is that the positive effect from a slight supply contraction is offset by persistently weak demand, with the latter exerting a more significant influence on the market. Without effective demand-side coordination, supply-side adjustments alone cannot drive the market out of its weak pattern. In the short term, if downstream industry operating rates do not improve significantly, the just-in-need procurement model will persist, making it difficult for overall market transactions to see notable volume growth. Dimethyl carbonate prices will remain under pressure and are likely to continue oscillating weakly. Going forward, attention should be paid to the progress of maintenance unit restarts, the recovery of downstream demand, and the impact of raw material price fluctuations on market sentiment.