What is Methyl Methacrylate (MMA): Price Trend and Trade Data
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
33.4%
Neutral
33.3%
Bearish
33.3%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published data (2025-07 to 2026-06) — Sentiment: Bullish
The most recent published customs observation for HS 291614 is 2026-06 at USD 2,206/ton, -6.6% against the previous month and -0.8% against 2025-07.
Reported volume across the fixed 9-economy panel was 203,685 tonnes over the window, 16,974 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +6.8%.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 291614. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
Coverage note: HS 291614 covers methacrylic acid esters, of which MMA is the dominant traded grade but not the only one.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade monthly trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?period=202606&cmdCode=291614&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-09-23
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-07 to 2026-06)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 291614 moved from USD 2,223/ton in 2025-07 to USD 2,206/ton in 2026-06 (-0.8% across the window). The window high was USD 2,363/ton in 2026-05 and the low USD 1,962/ton in 2026-04. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +6.8% against the previous one, which is classified here as bullish.
The same panel reported USD 434.3 million of export value on 203,685 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 16,974 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 9 economies: BRA, CAN, CZE, IRL, MYS, NLD, POL, SWE, USA. The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,962 to USD 2,363/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-06: USD 2,206/ton, -6.6% against the previous month, on 17,854 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- MMA demand splits between PMMA sheet and moulding resin, surface coatings, adhesives and emulsion polymers.
- Upstream feedstock pages on this site: Propylene and Isobutene.
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page. Coverage note: HS 291614 covers methacrylic acid esters, of which MMA is the dominant traded grade but not the only one.
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. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
- Propylene — the base olefin behind the isobutylene and acetone MMA routes.
- Isobutene — the C4 feedstock oxidised to methacrylic acid in the C4 route.
- Acrylic Acid — the sibling acrylic monomer competing in coatings and emulsions.
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 (MMA): Price Trend and Trade Data
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 |
Data Sources
Price and volume figures on this page are computed from the public sources listed below. Regulatory sources are cited individually in the Regulatory Status table above.
- UN Comtrade monthly public trade statistics — HS 291614, exports, by month (2025-07 to 2026-06): 2025-07, 2025-08, 2025-09, 2025-10, 2025-11, 2025-12, 2026-01, 2026-02, 2026-03, 2026-04, 2026-05, 2026-06
- Fixed reporting panel for this series: BRA, CAN, CZE, IRL, MYS, NLD, POL, SWE, USA. Exact API calls are the per-month links above.
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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