What is Methyl Methacrylate
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
33.4%
Neutral
33.3%
Bearish
33.3%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Neutral
No significant supply disruptions or capacity changes were reported for methyl methacrylate this past week.
Demand conditions remained steady without notable shifts in end-use sectors during the first week of June.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Neutral
Pricing for methyl methacrylate is expected to remain balanced as no new market catalysts have emerged for the week ahead.
Market participants will monitor feedstock availability and downstream demand signals for any directional clues.
An unexpected crude oil price spike could tighten margins and shift the current outlook bearish.
Key Market Impact
Current methyl methacrylate levels reflect a market in equilibrium with no dominant force driving prices or utilization.
Traders and processors are likely maintaining positions, awaiting clearer supply or demand developments before adjusting strategies.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2026–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Single data point (2026): Price at $2304.13 USD/ton on May 27, 2026; no recorded influencing factors or events documented in the available influence log for this period.
Supply-side factors
Demand-side factors
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Butyl Acrylate (BA) | In acrylic emulsion coatings, adhesives, and sealants, butyl acrylate can partially or fully replace MMA as a comonomer to adjust glass transition temperature (Tg) and flexibility. BA-rich formulations are used where lower hardness and higher elongation are desired. Requires reformulation of monomer ratios; not a drop-in replacement for PMMA sheet applications. |
| Ethyl Acrylate (EA) | Used as a comonomer substitute for MMA in latex paints, textile coatings, and paper coatings where a softer, more flexible film is acceptable. EA lowers Tg compared to MMA. Substitution requires adjustment of polymer composition and is application-specific; not suitable for optical or rigid PMMA applications. |
| Styrene | In general-purpose transparent or translucent plastics (e.g., GPPS or SAN copolymers), polystyrene can substitute for PMMA in applications where optical clarity requirements are moderate and cost is a primary driver. Styrene-based polymers are cheaper but have lower UV resistance and weatherability than PMMA. Used as a partial substitute in lighting diffusers, display cases, and packaging. |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | In glazing, safety shields, automotive lighting lenses, and optical applications, polycarbonate can replace PMMA where higher impact resistance is required. PC offers superior toughness but is heavier, more expensive, and less scratch-resistant than PMMA. Substitution is common in demanding structural or safety-critical transparent parts. |
| Methacrylic Acid (MAA) esters (e.g., Ethyl Methacrylate, Butyl Methacrylate) | Higher alkyl methacrylate esters can substitute for MMA in specialty coatings, dental materials, and adhesive formulations where modified flexibility, adhesion, or solubility profiles are needed. These are close chemical analogs and often require only minor reformulation. They are more expensive than MMA and used in niche applications rather than bulk replacement. |
| Acrylic Acid / Acrylate Esters | In water-based architectural coatings and pressure-sensitive adhesives, acrylate ester monomers (methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate) can replace MMA as the hard monomer component in copolymer systems, though they impart lower hardness and UV resistance. Substitution requires reformulation and is partial; MMA is often preferred for exterior durability. |
| Cyclopentyl Methacrylate / Isobornyl Methacrylate (IBOMA) | In high-performance UV-curable coatings, dental resins, and optical adhesives, specialty methacrylate monomers such as IBOMA can replace MMA to achieve higher Tg, lower shrinkage, or improved adhesion. These are specialty substitutes used in premium formulations and are significantly more expensive than MMA. |
Regulatory Status
Key Influence Events
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a colorless, volatile liquid organic compound with the molecular formula C5H8O2 and CAS number 80-62-6. It is the methyl ester of methacrylic acid and belongs to the family of acrylic monomers. MMA is primarily used as a monomer to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a transparent thermoplastic widely known under trade names such as Plexiglas, Lucite, and Perspex. It is also a key comonomer in acrylic emulsions, surface coatings, adhesives, and specialty polymers. MMA is a reactive monomer that polymerizes readily under heat, light, or free-radical initiators, and it is handled with inhibitors (typically hydroquinone monomethyl ether) to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transport. It has a boiling point of approximately 100.5°C, a density of about 0.94 g/cm³, and is slightly soluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Methyl Methacrylate
Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a colorless, volatile liquid organic compound with the molecular formula C5H8O2 and CAS number 80-62-6. It is the methyl ester of methacrylic acid and belongs to the family of acrylic monomers. MMA is primarily used as a monomer to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a transparent thermoplastic widely known under trade names such as Plexiglas, Lucite, and Perspex. It is also a key comonomer in acrylic emulsions, surface coatings, adhesives, and specialty polymers. MMA is a reactive monomer that polymerizes readily under heat, light, or free-radical initiators, and it is handled with inhibitors (typically hydroquinone monomethyl ether) to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transport. It has a boiling point of approximately 100.5°C, a density of about 0.94 g/cm³, and is slightly soluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (MMA content) | ≥99.8 | wt% | Polymer grade |
| Purity (MMA content) | ≥99.5 | wt% | Technical grade |
| Acidity (as methacrylic acid) | ≤0.003 | wt% | Polymer grade |
| Acidity (as methacrylic acid) | ≤0.010 | wt% | Technical grade |
| Water content | ≤0.05 | wt% | Polymer grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤5 | APHA | Polymer grade |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤10 | APHA | Technical grade |
| Inhibitor (MEHQ) | 10–20 | ppm | Standard stabilized |
| Inhibitor (MEHQ) | ≤1 | ppm | Low-inhibitor / uninhibited grade |
| Specific gravity (20°C/20°C) | 0.936–0.940 | — | All grades |
| Boiling point (1 atm) | 100.3–100.6 | °C | All grades |
| Refractive index (nD20) | 1.4120–1.4145 | — | All grades |
| Distillation range | 99.0–102.0 | °C | Technical grade |
| Aldehydes (as isobutyraldehyde) | ≤0.002 | wt% | Polymer grade |
| Flash point (closed cup) | 10 | °C | All grades |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Inc. | Midland, Michigan, USA | Deer Park, Texas |
| Rohm GmbH | Darmstadt, Germany | Bay City, Texas |
| Evonik Industries AG | Essen, Germany | Shanghai, China |
| Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation | Tokyo, Japan | Geismar, Louisiana, Daya Bay Petrochemical Industrial Park Huizhou Guangdong, Daesan, Yeosu industrial estate 4th Ave., Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Thailand |
| Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. | Tokyo, Japan | Jurong Island |
| Lotte Chemical Corporation | Seoul, South Korea | Daesan-eup, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 31901, Yeosu industrial estate 4th Ave. |
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