1. Qualitative Analysis of Output and Capacity Utilization Trends
In the current week (May 22–28, 2026), China's methanol output totaled 2,049,285 tonnes, up 40,390 tonnes from the previous week. The plant capacity utilization rate was 91.13%, up 2.02% week on week.
Table 1 Comparison of Weekly Methanol Output and Capacity Utilization in China (Tonnes, %)
| Item | Current Week | Previous Week | WoW % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | 2,049,285 | 2,008,895 | 2.01% |
| Capacity utilization | 91.13% | 89.33% | 2.02% |
During the current period, new maintenance shutdowns were seen at some plants, including Shandong Mingshui and one unit in Jiangsu, while new production cuts were also put in place, such as at Jiutai New Materials. Over the same period, several units resumed operation after maintenance or production cuts, including Xindongheng, Hebi Coal Chemical, Yulin Yankuang, Shaanxi Jingyi Chemical, and one unit in Jiangsu. Since the overall volume restored during the period exceeded the volume lost, output increased and the capacity utilization rate rose.
2. Forecast Analysis of Output and Capacity Utilization Trends
Next week, China's methanol output is projected at approximately 2.1139 million tonnes and the capacity utilization rate at around 94.01%, both higher than the current period. The capacity scheduled to resume operations next week exceeds the capacity scheduled for maintenance or production cuts, which is likely to push capacity utilization and output higher.
3. Comparison of Capacity Utilization Rate and Price Trends
This week, China's methanol capacity utilization rate was 91.13%, up 2.02% week on week and up 4.41% year on year. Domestic methanol capacity utilization rose notably during the week, leading to higher actual output. As futures prices moved lower and downstream buying enthusiasm weakened, the negotiation price center in the major producing areas shifted downward.
(Note: Since some historical data have been revised, the latest weekly data shall prevail.)
Sample description: Chempricehub's weekly China methanol output and capacity utilization data are first-hand statistics, covering a sample of 178 domestic methanol producers, with 100% sample coverage. The statistical period runs from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week, and the data are released every Thursday at 14:30 on working days.
Term explanation: Output generally refers to the actual quantity of products meeting relevant standards produced by a manufacturer over a certain period (not in the sense of commercialized volume, but the weight or volume of products under a given measurement system), i.e., actual output.
Capacity utilization rate: the extent to which an enterprise's production capacity is utilized, also called operating load, generally calculated as the ratio of product output or raw material throughput to effective capacity.
Statistical scope: The weekly output and capacity utilization statistics cover the period from Friday of the previous week to Thursday of the current week, and are released every Thursday at 14:30 on working days.
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