Weekly Analysis of China's Methanol Production and Capacity Utilization Rate (July 17–23, 2026)

I. Qualitative Analysis of Output and Capacity Utilization Trends

During this week (July 17–23, 2026), China's methanol output totaled 1,923,055 tons, an increase of 14,210 tons from the previous week. The capacity utilization rate was 85.28%, up 0.74 percentage points week-on-week.

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

Source: Chempricehub Information

During this period, units that newly entered maintenance include Zhejiang Petrochemical, Gansu Huating, and one unit in Inner Mongolia. Two units in Inner Mongolia reduced output. Meanwhile, units that resumed operation after maintenance or output reduction include Sinopec Changcheng, Shanxi Linxin, and one unit each in Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. As the resumed capacity outweighed the lost capacity, the capacity utilization rate and output increased.

II. Trend Forecast for Output and Capacity Utilization

Next week, China's methanol weekly output is expected to be approximately 1.9947 million tons, with a capacity utilization rate of about 88.46%, both higher than the current period. The capacity involved in planned restarts next week is greater than that involved in maintenance and output reduction, leading to higher capacity utilization and increased output.

III. Comparison of Capacity Utilization and Price Trends

This week, China's methanol capacity utilization rate was 85.28%, up 0.74 percentage points week-on-week and up 1.54 percentage points year-on-year. Domestic methanol capacity utilization rose slightly this week, and actual output increased. Futures fluctuated while buying sentiment remained active. Inland olefin plants continued purchasing, and supply-demand fundamentals stayed sound, supporting continued price increases in major production areas.

(Note: Due to revisions in some historical data, the latest data for this week should prevail.)

Sample Description: Chempricehub Information's weekly China methanol output and capacity utilization data are first-hand statistics covering 179 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, with data released at 14:30 every Thursday on working days.

Term Definitions:

• Output: Generally refers to the quantity of goods actually produced by a manufacturer within a certain period that meets relevant standards (not in terms of commercial volume, but in terms of weight, volume, etc. under a given measurement system), namely actual output.
• Capacity utilization: Refers to the degree to which production capacity is utilized, also known as operating load, generally calculated as the ratio of product output or raw material processing volume to effective capacity.

Statistical Caliber: The weekly output and capacity utilization statistics cover the period from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week, with data released at 14:30 every Thursday on working days.